December 2025
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.
"Organizations also moved toward centralized 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 modeling skills are increasingly favored, 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 prioritize 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 modeling."
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 finance and accounting opportunities, request a call back or browse open roles.
FAQ: Finance & accounting hiring, careers & compensation in 2026
Across Europe, hiring demand is strong for Financial Controllers, Management Accountants, FP&A Analysts, Tax Specialists, and Treasury professionals.
There is increasing demand for finance professionals with data analytics, ERP (e.g. SAP/Oracle) expertise, and AI literacy to support forecasting, automation, and digital finance transformation. IFRS 17 and evolving tax regulations are also driving hybrid finance and compliance hiring.
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In 2026, employers are looking for finance and accounting professionals who combine technical accuracy with commercial insight and digital fluency. Core competencies such as financial reporting, audit readiness, and compliance are essential. However, demand is rising for professionals with advanced financial modeling, ERP experience (SAP, Oracle), and data analytics capabilities (Power BI, SQL, Python).
Candidates who can automate processes, interpret real-time data, and align reporting outputs with business strategy are particularly valued – especially in FP&A, controlling, and commercial finance roles. In accounting, familiarity with digital close tools, tax technology, and AI-driven reconciliation is becoming a key differentiator.
Selby Jennings helps hiring managers refine role requirements and build candidate pipelines with the right blend of technical and strategic finance and accounting skills. Explore our talent solutions.
Artificial intelligence and automation are transforming reporting, consolidation, forecasting, and audit related processes. Finance teams are hiring professionals who understand AI enabled forecasting tools, continuous close systems, and real time analytics dashboards. Roles that bridge finance and technology – such as Finance Systems Leads – are expanding.
For insight on hiring tech enabled finance & accounting talent, request a call back from Selby Jennings.
Top finance and accounting candidates expect clear role definitions, realistic timelines, and structured interview processes that include scenario questions and practical assessments (e.g. modeling tests). Transparent compensation ranges and efficient feedback loops also improve acceptance rates.
Selby Jennings supports audit, tax, FP&A, and corporate finance hiring with process optimization and candidate engagement strategies. Speak to a specialist.
A finance career can begin in roles such as Financial Analyst, Management Accountant, or Tax Associate and progress into Senior Finance Manager, Head of FP&A, Finance Director, or CFO leadership positions. Specializations in treasury, tax, financial systems, and strategic business partnering increasingly offer growth opportunities.
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Compensation varies by role, experience, and hub. Entry level finance associates typically earn a competitive base salary aligned with local markets, mid level FP&A Managers and Controllers command higher packages, and CFO track roles are compensated with significant base pay plus bonuses. Finance professionals with strong ERP, analytics, or automation expertise often see above market compensation.
Want personalized salary benchmarking? Request a call back from Selby Jennings or compare current opportunities.
Professional credentials like ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CPA, CFA, and specialized certificates in ERP, data analytics, or taxation are valuable. Certifications in AI or data analytics (e.g. Power BI, Python for Finance) also enhance a candidate’s appeal as finance functions modernize.
Expect questions that evaluate your technical proficiency in accounting principles, financial analysis, ERP systems, scenario planning, and problem solving. You may be asked to demonstrate models or dashboards you’ve built, and to discuss how you’ve leveraged technology to drive efficiency or insight.
Selby Jennings offers tailored interview preparation guidance. Create an account to start applying for finance & accounting vacancies near you, and our consultants will support and advocate for you throughout your entire interview process.