Finance is the backbone of every business. Whether it’s a global corporation with a full-fledged finance team, a small business relying on an external accountant or a freelancer tracking income and expenses, financial management plays a crucial role. Cash flow, budgeting, tax compliance, payroll and investments all depend on having the right finance professionals in place.
But hiring those professionals? That’s the real challenge.
The competition for finance and accounting talent is more intense than ever. Demand is skyrocketing, regulations are shifting quickly and technology is redefining the entire financial landscape. With job requirements changing fast, there just aren’t enough professionals who meet today’s standards, turning the search for top talent into a high-stakes race.
The numbers tell the story: A Talent Trends report found that by 2020, nearly 75% of certified public accountants (CPAs) had reached retirement age, while demand for accountants is set to rise by 6% in 2025. With fewer new professionals entering the field, 35% of organizations are now struggling to find finance talent.
On top of this, it has been highlighted that AI, automation and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance are reshaping the industry in a big way, making specialized finance skills more valuable than ever. Companies clinging to traditional hiring methods are struggling to keep up, while those leveraging AI and data-driven hiring are attracting the best talent.
Why It’s Harder Than Ever to Hire Finance Talent
The Finance Staffing Crunch
Finance professionals keep businesses running, but building a strong finance team feels like an uphill battle. This challenge is backed by data. Robert Half predicts that in 2025, demand for accountants and financial analysts will outstrip supply by 15%. Meanwhile, a Deloitte survey found that over 80% of hiring managers struggle to attract and retain finance talent.
The Biggest Hiring Challenges in Finance Staffing
We’ve learned that hiring finance talent is a challenge, but why has it become so difficult? Let’s break it down.
Severe Talent Shortages
Finding skilled finance professionals is getting harder, especially in high-stakes areas like risk management, compliance and financial planning. As financial regulations grow more complex and technology reshapes the industry, the demand for experienced talent is outpacing supply. Many organizations are struggling to find professionals with the right expertise, creating an urgent need for upskilling and talent development.
Evolving Skill Sets
Finance jobs are more than crunching numbers. AI-powered accounting software, automation and predictive analytics are transforming the field. Today’s finance professionals need to be tech-savvy, data-literate and comfortable using AI-powered tools to stay competitive. A growing number of finance teams are using AI to automate tasks, streamlining operations and shifting the focus to strategic decision-making.
The Fight for Talent
Banks, accounting firms, tech companies, fintech startups and e-commerce giants are all looking for top-tier finance professionals. Wall Street firms, for example, are increasingly hiring tech-savvy professionals, offering opportunities in AI and automation that used to be more common in Silicon Valley. Meanwhile, leading banks are pushing for relaxed immigration policies to bring in skilled workers, highlighting just how fierce the competition has become.
Regulatory Pressures Are Rising
Companies must navigate new compliance requirements, including ESG standards. Randstad USA reports that 89% of investors now factor ESG into their decisions, increasing demand for finance professionals with regulatory expertise. Staying compliant is a business necessity.
How to Hire the Best Finance Professionals in 2025
While it may seem like a bleak situation, there is a silver lining: companies that embrace innovation in their hiring strategies can stay ahead. By leveraging a single AI-powered platform that simplifies processes and prioritizes employer branding, businesses can attract top finance talent more effectively.
AI-Powered Sourcing
AI hiring platforms can scan thousands of resumes in seconds, identifying candidates with the right skills, experience and career trajectories. These tools go beyond traditional keyword searches by:
- Matching candidates based on skills rather than just job titles
- Automating outreach to engage with top talent before competitors do
Stronger Employer Branding
Top finance professionals often have multiple job offers, making a strong employer brand essential. Companies that attract the best talent focus on:
- Offering flexible work arrangements, which have become a priority in the finance sector
- Providing career growth opportunities and upskilling programs in AI, data analytics and ESG reporting
- Creating a seamless, engaging hiring experience that sets them apart
Studies highlight that remote and hybrid work models are here to stay, with 77% of finance professionals believing their organizations should continue to allow remote work. Companies that prioritize flexibility and career development gain a competitive edge in hiring.
Automating the Hiring Process
Slow hiring cycles can cause businesses to lose top candidates to faster-moving competitors. AI-powered tools simplify hiring by automating:
- Resume screening
- Interview scheduling
- Candidate communication
- Skill assessments
With AI and automation handling these tasks, hiring teams can focus on selecting the best candidates rather than getting bogged down in administrative processes.
The Bottom Line
Hiring finance and accounting professionals in 2025 is tougher than ever. Talent shortages, shifting skill demands and rising regulatory pressures are making it harder for businesses to build strong finance teams. Companies that fail to modernize their hiring strategies risk losing top candidates to more agile competitors.
The most successful organizations are staying ahead by leveraging AI-powered sourcing, strengthening employer branding and automating hiring processes. These strategies can simplify talent acquisition strategies, reduce hiring costs, attract top-tier finance talent and maximize ROI.
Want to win the race for finance professionals?
Invest in AI-powered hiring and a compelling employer brand to secure the best talent in 2025 – and beyond. Schedule a demo today and learn how Radancy can help.
- Finance Staffing: How to Find and Hire Top Talent Faster - March 20, 2025
- Skills-Based Hiring: Why It’s Time to Rethink Credentials and Experience - March 7, 2025
- The Rise of Hybrid Work: Redesigning Work-Life Balance - February 6, 2025
- Integration and Simplification: The Next Generation of Recruiting CRMs - January 23, 2025
- Finding Purpose: Must-Haves for Gen Z in the Workforce - January 16, 2025
- 8 Insights from the 2024 G2 Buyer Behavior Report - January 8, 2025
- The Importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Hiring - December 23, 2024
- 5 Ways to Leverage Data for Smarter Hiring - December 6, 2024
- 5 Ways AI and VR Are Changing How We Hire - December 4, 2024
- Talent Acquisition Trends: An Increasing Emphasis on Soft Skills - November 21, 2024
