UK Commerce & Industry accounting vacancies are forecast to rise by 17% in 2026, following 5% growth in 2025. Hiring outside London is forecast to increase by 18%, compared with 14% in the capital, reducing London's share of accounting vacancies from 37% to 36%. Leeds leads major regional cities with forecast growth of 58%, while the North-East records an 80% increase, albeit from a smaller base. Management accounting remains the largest finance function, accounting for 38% of vacancies, while demand for financial accounting professionals is forecast to grow by 21%.
Morgan McKinley’s 2026 London Employment Monitor finds vacancies fell from 1,719 in July to just 1,200 in September, as employers become increasingly selective over new hires6% decrease in jobs available quarter-on-quarter (Q3 2026 vs Q2 2026)11% decrease in jobs available year-on-year (Q3 2026 vs Q3 2025)30% decrease in jobs available between July and September 2026, with monthly vacancies falling from 1,719 to 1,200
UK banking vacancies are forecast to rise 9% in 2026, but London is growing more than 18 times as fast as the rest of the UK. London is expected to account for 53% of all banking vacancies, up from 49% last year. Manchester is the standout regional growth hub, with banking vacancies forecast to rise 69%, while Glasgow and Belfast are set to decline. Hiring is becoming more concentrated among major banks, with JPMorgan Chase, Barclays and Citi together accounting for 23% of UK banking vacancies.
London finance vacancies are forecast to increase 17% in 2026 following strong hiring momentum The capital is expected to account for 52% of UK finance recruitment for the first time Accounting & Consulting vacancies are projected to rise 21%, while Banking grows 16% Accountant roles are forecast to jump 32% as firms invest in AI implementation and regulatory change JPMorgan Chase, Barclays and Deloitte are expected to lead recruitment growth
Financial Services accountant vacancies are forecast to fall by nearly 5% in 2026. Commerce & Industry accountancy vacancies are forecast to rise by almost 13% in 2026. London's share of Financial Services accountant hiring is expected to reach 57% of all UK vacancies. Energy & Utilities is forecast to be the fastest-growing accountancy sector, with vacancies rising by almost 75%.
UK fintech vacancies are forecast to rise by close to 14% in 2026, following 28% growth in 2025 London is expected to account for 71% of all fintech hiring as concentration intensifies IT support roles have fallen from 17% to 9% in two years due to automation IT infrastructure vacancies are projected to climb nearly 31%, outpacing broader IT growth Anti-money laundering (AML) and credit-focused hiring strengthens, while several neobanks scale back recruitment amid a shift towards payments-led business models
UK tax hiring to fall by ~10% in 2026 following a 19% surge in 2025 London share rises to ~43% as regional hiring declines ~15% Core tax roles remain dominant at around 60% of demand Specialist demand shifts toward employment tax, indirect tax and tax technology, highlighting growing skills gaps
Key statistics from Morgan McKinley’s 2025 London Employment Monitor:
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