The 10 Biggest Trends Shaping Finance & Accounting Talent Acquisition in 2025
Navigating a New Era for Finance & Accounting Talent
As you embark on the journey of hiring finance or accounting professionals in 2025, you’re stepping into a landscape of intense competition. Unemployment rates for roles like financial manager, analyst, and accountant are at unprecedented lows, while business needs and candidate expectations have undergone a seismic shift.
At Oggi Talent, we see this transformation every day—where recruiting isn’t just about filling seats, but building relationships, using data, and fostering career-long success.
Here’s an in-depth guide to the top 10 trends driving talent acquisition for finance and accounting roles in 2025, along with innovative strategies and insights to keep your hire rate high, turnover low, and your business ahead of the curve.
Top 10 Finance & Accounting Hiring Trends for 2025
1. Talent Shortages Shift Power to Candidates
The scarcity of skilled professionals, particularly for roles like accountants, financial analysts, and payroll specialists, is a pressing issue. To attract the right people, companies must enhance their employer brands, offer competitive compensation, and provide genuine career growth opportunities.
“Firms need finance talent. But to attract the right people, employers must clearly define impact, growth potential, and compensation.”
—Anthony McCann, Selby Jennings
2. Rise of AI and Data-Driven Recruitment
AI is not just a buzzword; it’s a game-changer in executive search and recruiting. From parsing resumes to using predictive analytics to identify candidates with the highest potential, AI is reshaping the recruitment landscape. But remember, technology is only as good as the human touch that guides it.
Don’t have access to AI hiring tools? Leveraging the expertise of a qualified professional recruiting agency can save you time and money and reduce the likelihood of bad hires.
3. Hybrid Work and Flexibility Are Now Mandatory
Remote and hybrid work arrangements are no longer just perks—candidates now expect them. Roles should be designed with built-in flexibility, along with a clear understanding of company culture and work-life balance. Failure to adapt could result in missed opportunities.
4. In-Demand Roles Remain Consistent—But Scarce
Staff/senior accountant, accounts payable/receivable specialist, financial analyst, controller, and payroll specialist continue to top the list for hardest roles to fill. The challenge: there’s simply not enough qualified talent.
5. Soft Skills and Culture Fit Trump Even Technical Prowess
Companies are now placing a higher value on soft skills such as resilience, adaptability, and cultural alignment. Successful hires are those who demonstrate strategic thinking, communication, and empathy alongside technical expertise.
6. Salary Growth and Evolving Compensation Models
Salaries for finance and accounting roles are rising—most professionals received a 6–10% raise last year, but expectations for total compensation (including bonuses, benefits, and flexibility) are way up. Employers must adjust to stay competitive.
7. Increased Use of Contract and Interim Talent
With talent pipelines tight, organizations are leveraging contract professionals and interim executives to fill gaps, drive special projects, and bring in fresh perspectives.
8. Personalization Rules Recruitment Marketing
Highly targeted messaging, authentic employee stories, and career mapping are essential for engaging top talent. Companies with a clear Employer Value Proposition (EVP) attract 50% more qualified candidates.
9. Focus on Continuous Professional Development and Upskilling
Organizations that invest in training, certifications, and upskilling programs for their teams see stronger retention and greater adaptability through market shifts. Encouraging professional development not only boosts individual expertise and efficiency but helps future-proof your workforce against emerging technologies and evolving regulations.
10. Onboarding and Post-hire Support Drive Retention
The search doesn’t end when the contract is signed. Structured onboarding and regular support during the critical first six months increase retention and accelerate the new hire’s impact.
Actionable Tips to Win in 2025
- Define your EVP: Clarify your impact, culture, and growth opportunities.
- Invest in hybrid work: Normalize remote options and flexible arrangements.
- Leverage AI but keep it personal: Use data tools to shortlist and engage, but never lose your human touch.
- Offer competitive total compensation: Think beyond salary—showcase benefits and growth.
- Celebrate employee stories: Use authentic testimonials and organic recruitment marketing.
- Build relationships—before, during, and after the hire: Recruiters who stay involved drive long-term success.
FAQs
Q: What are the hardest finance and accounting roles to fill in 2025?
A: Staff/senior accountant, financial analyst, controller, payroll specialist, and accounts receivable/payable experts are most in-demand and hardest to fill.
Q: How has remote/hybrid work changed the workforce?
A: Talent prefers flexible arrangements, valuing work-life balance and often selecting employers who offer robust remote work policies.
Q: How important is culture fit when hiring top talent?
A: Crucial—companies with strong cultural alignment see higher engagement and profitability, and longevity in hires.
Q: Are salaries rising in 2025 for finance roles?
A: Yes. Most professionals report 6–10% annual increases, with total compensation packages evolving to include more bonuses and flexibility.
Q: What role does AI play in recruitment now?
A: AI helps in analyzing, shortlisting, and matching candidates, but high-touch, personalized engagement is essential for successful placements.
Oggi Talent—Your Strategic Partner for Top Placement
Oggi Talent is more than a staffing agency—we’re your personalized partner for high-impact placements in finance & accounting, information technology, and marketing. Our relationship-driven approach, data-backed insights, and focus on long-term success deliver talent and results that go beyond expectations.
Ready for a talent strategy built for 2025?
Let’s unlock the potential of your team through tailored searches, expert guidance, and a people-first partnership. Reach out and experience Oggi’s difference: Your next great hire could redefine your business.