Top Accounting & Finance Skills in Demand
Hiring in the accounting and finance world is super competitive right now, with companies really trying to bring in the right talent in a market that’s all about skills.
Our Global Workplace Trends 2025 report shows that 77% of employers had a tough time finding skilled candidates over the last year, which really points to a growing gap between what businesses need and the talent that's out there.
At the same time, 56% of companies are putting more emphasis on skills rather than formal degrees, which is opening up new opportunities for people looking to switch careers, self-taught professionals, and those trained through apprenticeships.
There’s a real skilled talent shortage in technology, finance, and healthcare, with 72% of organisations saying it’s their biggest hiring challenge.
As a result, 57% now prioritise skills assessments, a trend that’s set to accelerate through 2025. If you're in accounting or finance, you might have already noticed that employers are really honing in on the skills needed for success in these fields, rather than just looking at degrees.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the top skills that will be in demand for accounting and finance jobs in 2025. We’ll cover everything from technical know-how and digital savvy to the soft skills that help finance professionals make a real impact and work well with others.
2025 Skills Snapshot: In-Demand Accounting & Finance Skills
To thrive in today’s finance function, professionals need a balanced mix of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and human-centred capabilities. Here are the top six skills in demand for accounting and finance in 2025:
Most Essential Accounting & Finance Skills for 2025
1. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) 2.0
Financial Planning & Analysis is now much beyond traditional budgeting. FP&A 2.0 is about agile financial forecasting, real-time scenario modelling, and delivering well-thought-out insights that drive business performance. Finance professionals in this space are expected to partner closely with commercial teams, provide actionable intelligence, and adapt quickly to shifting market conditions.
This skill is essential for navigating economic volatility, supporting business growth, and driving investment decisions with clarity and confidence.
Certifications:
- CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst – particularly for strategy-focused roles)
- FP&A Certification from the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP)
2. Finance Business Partnering
Finance business partnering is fast becoming one of the top skills in demand for accounting and finance professionals.
It goes beyond traditional reporting roles, requiring professionals to act as strategic advisors who bridge the gap between finance and the wider business.
Business partners translate financial data into commercial insights, contribute to strategic decisions, and influence stakeholders across operations, marketing, HR, and executive leadership.
This skill is critical for companies seeking to align financial goals with broader business objectives and is especially valued in fast-growth, transformation, and post-merger environments.
Certifications:
While this is primarily an experience-driven competency, the following qualifications are often held by successful finance business partners:
- CIMA (strong emphasis on business strategy and performance)
- ACCA or CPA
- MBA (Finance or Strategy)
- Leadership and communication courses (e.g. Harvard Online, CCL, or IMD) can further support development in this area.
3. ESG Reporting & Sustainable Finance (🆕 New for 2025)
As sustainability climbs the corporate agenda, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting has become an important skill within modern accounting and finance roles.
Professionals are expected to integrate ESG metrics into financial reporting, ensure compliance with evolving regulatory standards (like CSRD, TCFD, and IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards), and provide transparency on a company’s non-financial performance.
This skill set is critical for aligning financial operations with long-term sustainability goals, managing risk, and meeting investor expectations in sectors under increasing environmental scrutiny.
Certifications:
- CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing
- GRI Certified Training Programme (Global Reporting Initiative)
- IFRS Sustainability Reporting Courses
- SASB Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA Credential)
- Short courses in CSRD/TCFD frameworks or climate-related risk reporting
4. Digital Finance & Technology Integration
In 2025, working with digital tools and data platforms is considered a core skill in the skills required for accounting and finance roles. Finance professionals are expected to be fluent in enterprise systems like SAP, Oracle, and NetSuite, and comfortable using business intelligence tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
This skill also covers automation (e.g. RPA, Alteryx), data governance, cloud-based financial systems, and digital transformation support. With increasing emphasis on real-time reporting and data-driven decisions, tech fluency has become one of the top skills in demand across finance functions.
Certifications:
- SAP Certified Application Associate
- Oracle Financials Cloud Certification
- Power BI Data Analyst Associate (Microsoft)
- Alteryx Core/Advanced Certification
- Tableau Desktop Specialist
- Relevant RPA tools (e.g. UiPath Academy)
5. Risk, Compliance & Governance Expertise
With the regulatory sector becoming increasingly complex and growing cyber and operational risks, finance teams are pressured to maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance at every level.
This skill involves risk assessment, internal auditing, regulatory reporting, and adherence to evolving standards such as SOX, Basel III, or IFRS.
Professionals with expertise in governance frameworks, fraud prevention, and regulatory change management are in high demand, particularly in banking, financial services, and multinational corporations.
As business continuity and trust become priorities, this area continues to be one of the top skills in demand for accounting and finance roles.
Certifications:
- CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
- CPA with a focus on audit and risk
- CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
- SOX Compliance Certification
- ACCA Risk Management Module
Top Soft Skills Required for Accounting and Finance Professionals
Soft skills remain essential to stand out and add strategic value in a profession increasingly driven by automation and data. The accounts and finance soft skills most in demand in 2025 centre around communication, influence, adaptability, and collaboration. Employers are seeking professionals who can present complex financial insights clearly, build strong relationships across departments, and help lead transformation.
These soft skills are particularly critical for finance business partners, FP&A professionals, and those in leadership roles. The ability to influence decision-making and communicate with confidence can often be the defining factor in career progression.
Key soft skills include:
- Communication & storytelling with data
- Stakeholder engagement & influence
- Adaptability in fast-changing environments
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Team collaboration & emotional intelligence
- Resilience under pressure
New and Trending Skills in Accounting & Finance for 2025
As the accounting and finance landscape continues to transform, certain skills have moved from niche to necessity—while others are emerging in response to broader shifts in sustainability, technology, and strategic finance functions.
Here are the newly trending skills for 2025:
🌍 ESG Reporting & Sustainable Finance
With global regulations intensifying and stakeholder pressure rising, ESG reporting is now a core skill area, not just a corporate responsibility add-on.
🤝 Finance Business Partnering
Once a value-add, now essential. The ability to bridge finance with wider business functions has become a defining expectation in strategic finance roles.
💻 Digital Automation & BI Tools
Fluency in tools like Power BI, SAP, Alteryx, and RPA platforms is no longer a bonus—it’s a must-have. The shift from basic familiarity to confident application is a key differentiator in 2025.
