Companies’ prioritization of technology, risk, regulatory compliance and strategic advisory roles is escalating demand for a variety of finance and accounting professionals. Managers are using AI and automation tools to increase efficiencies, and they need teams in place with the right skills to use them.Yet employers often create their own hiring roadblocks by failing to meet salary demands, offer hybrid work options or consider alternative staffing approaches. For many, these missteps carry immediate and long-term consequences, including missing out on top candidates, widening skills gaps, and increasing staff burnout and turnover.
Salary and Hiring Trends in Finance and Accounting
As finance teams’ digital transformation projects ramp up, companies need professionals with strong skills in AI, cybersecurity, automation and ERP systems. But managers are finding it difficult to hire quickly enough and to meet candidates’ pay expectations.of finance and accounting managers say hiring quickly enough to land top talent is one of their top recruiting challenges.of finance and accounting managers say hiring quickly enough to land top talent is one of their top recruiting challenges.rank meeting candidates’ salary expectations as a top challenge. rank meeting candidates’ salary expectations as a top challenge.
How much should I pay or earn?
Starting salaries are rising primarily for high-demand roles in areas such as accounting operations, financial analysis and general accounting. For jobs that can be done remotely, 65% of managers are willing to increase starting salaries for new hires to work in the office full or part time. Of those, 55% are offering workers up to 20% more pay to come in 4 to 5 days a week. of finance and accounting professionals want to work in the office 3 days a week or less.of finance and accounting professionals want to work in the office 3 days a week or less.
Upskilling employeesReskilling employees for new rolesPaying for professional certificationsEngaging skilled contract talentImplementing mentoring programsOffering job rotationsUsing managed servicesUpskilling employeesReskilling employees for new rolesPaying for professional certificationsEngaging skilled contract talentImplementing mentoring programsOffering job rotationsUsing managed services
The hottest finance and accounting jobs, skills and industries
The accountant shortage not only continues — it’s worsening. Professionals are overtasked, and many leave public accounting for a better work-life balance. To alleviate workloads and stress, firms are hiring for permanent roles and bringing in contract professionals during seasonal peaks.To boost their hiring efforts, companies find they must raise salaries and offer flexible work options. Some managers assign light accounting duties to employees on other teams. This alleviates pressure on accounting staff, but it can drive up salaries across the firm.
Financial institutions are focusing their hiring strategies on business growth and integrating new technology. But they face severe talent shortages. Candidates with experience in data analytics and tech systems are in especially high demand in areas such as market risk management, regulatory reporting and fraud detection.of financial services managers experience challenges finding skilled professionals. of financial services managers experience challenges finding skilled professionals.
Finance and financial reportingFinance and financial reportingFinancial planning and analysisFinancial planning and analysisBudgets and analysisBudgets and analysisAuditingAuditing
The salary benchmarks listed in the Salary Guide From Robert Half are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across the country and third-party job posting data from Textkernel that we use to independently validate the salary ranges. Learn more about our methodology.The salaries listed in the salary tables represent starting compensation only, meaning pay for someone new to a company in the position listed. Company size, industry and the availability of remote work options can influence salaries. Our estimates do not include bonuses, benefits or perks. We report salaries in percentiles and ranges, recognizing that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.Non-salary data referenced in this Salary Guide is based on online surveys developed by Robert Half and conducted by independent research firms. Respondents include hiring managers and workers from small (1-99 employees), midsize (100-999 employees) and large (1,000-plus employees) private, publicly listed and public sector organizations across the United States.
