The finance and accounting recruitment landscape in 2025 is being shaped by the power of digital technology, shifting economic headwinds and what many perceive to be a shortage of highly-trained, tech-savvy professionals.

Key Trends in Recruitment

As has been the case for several years now, hybrid and remote work will continue to impact the recruitment industry. While many have been decrying the persistence of remote work, others see it as an opportunity to expand their access to qualified professionals in far-flung locations.

The digital revolution also continues apace with AI-enabled tools now being used to screen CVs and even conduct initial assessments of a candidate's talents and viability. Employer branding will also become a bigger thing in 2025 as companies invest heavily in recruitment marketing in order to get the attention of top candidates.

Another trend gaining steam in 2025 is the increasing use of professionals hired on a contract or interim basis. This can be seen prominently in the rise of temporary hires to perform specific functions such as conducting audits or performing compliance updates.

Skills That Will be In Demand in 2025

These days finance and accounting professionals need to have a plethora of skills that reflect the imperatives of the day, including:

• A working knowledge of financial software apps including Oracle, SAP and QuickBooks as well as cloud-based apps such as NetSuite and Xero.
• The ability to interpret complex datasets and generate actionable insights based on their interpretation is a skill that is in high demand today.
• Accounting and finance professionals are also increasingly expected to understand AI robotic process automation (RPA) and how it impacts various financial processes.
• Working, up-to-date knowledge of global financial regulations including tax law and global anti-money laundering efforts.

Conclusion

The most obvious trend in finance and accounting recruitment for 2025 is that the entire process is becoming more and more tech-driven.

Beyond that, employers are in search of candidates with high-level skills. As a result, candidates who invest in enhancing their skillset will be best positioned to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

To learn more, call JMF Associates on +44 (0)20 8663 6699.