Finance & Accounting: 2026 Talent Insights

2025 marked a turning point for finance and accounting teams. Faced with ongoing margin pressure, slower revenue growth, and rising expectations from leadership, finance functions moved beyond traditional reporting and into real-time business partnership. This shift is transforming how companies hire and build their finance teams.

In this video, Joseff Richards, Head of Selby Jennings Netherlands, shares how FP&A is evolving, and what firms and professionals should expect in 2026.

 

What changed in finance and accounting in 2025, and how did that impact hiring?

"The shift in FP&A has been clear: reporting is no longer enough. Today’s analysts are expected to turn data into decisions, influencing business outcomes in real time. This has created strong demand for finance professionals who can blend analysis, communication, and commercial thinking.

"Organisations also moved toward centralised analytics functions in 2025. Finance and accounting teams now work more closely with business intelligence and data engineering teams, requiring a broader technical skill set. Candidates with SQL, Power BI, advanced Excel, and scenario modelling skills are increasingly favoured, even over traditional finance-only profiles.

"Hiring has also become more selective. Rather than building large teams, firms are targeting fewer but more versatile hires who can deliver greater impact."

What should firms and professionals prioritise in 2026?

"The finance professionals who will thrive in 2026 are those with hybrid skill sets: combining finance, data, automation, and strategic planning. For employers, this means rethinking hiring strategies. Processes need to move faster, and EVP messaging must be clear - because top FP&A talent remains in short supply.

"For professionals, this is the time to upskill. Automation, dashboarding, and influencing skills will be critical. As FP&A evolves into a commercial advisory function, the ability to shape business strategy and communicate with senior stakeholders will be just as important as technical modelling."

How will AI reshape finance and FP&A roles in 2026?

"AI will play a growing role in FP&A, but not by replacing jobs. Instead, automation will take over tasks like data consolidation, variance analysis, and routine reporting. That frees up analysts to focus on strategic insight and business decision support.

"In 2026, companies will seek FP&A professionals who are confident working with AI. Understanding model outputs, managing automated forecasts, and ensuring data accuracy will be key. Human skills - judgement, strategy, and communication - will only grow in importance.

To discuss your hiring plans for 2026 or explore current sales and trading opportunities, request a call back or browse open roles.