Finance, accounting teams look to bolster AI, ESG, financial reporting capabilities

Businesses and organisations looking to bolster their accounting and finance teams have revealed they will look for employees well-versed in AI, ESG practices and financial compliance to better meet modern targets and requirements.

Research from Robert Half noted that employers would make an active effort to hire people who were aligned with broader environmental and economic goals for the remainder of 2025, yet understood they were up against navigating the challenges of a more “cost-conscious and economically tough environment”.

In the accounting and finance space, businesses revealed they saw the greatest need for talent who could aid or further the implementation of new technologies, while they also looked for candidates experienced in financial reporting, budgeting and invoicing.

In addition to this, ESG reporting was also high on the priority list as it became a mandatory requirement for all modern businesses.

The recruiter also found that employers were opting for a mix of contract and permanent staff as they strived to meet immediate skills needs and transform their workforce for future capability.

Lauren Haxby, Robert Half practice director, said the “dual talent” strategy would help organisations remain agile as they completed project-based work and navigated long-term growth in the complex environment.

“The true narrative of today’s market is company driven. While organisations express a clear need for talent, the current economic climate is prompting a more cautious approach, what we call the ‘big slow’ in hiring,” she said.

“We’re observing a trend where cost is the primary concern, leading to companies hiring strategically and tentatively, often only after budget sign off or board approval.”

When employers were asked if they planned to hire permanent or contract staff in the remainder of this year to implement their priorities, they said other top priorities alongside AI, ESG and financial reporting were improving planning, budgeting and forecasting processes, as well as invoicing.

Haxby said these were key requirements and areas finance functions and sectors needed to ensure they were well-versed in.

“We have stepped into a time where the finance function relies on leveraging technology to gain critical insights and meet evolving regulatory landscapes,” she said.

“AI and automation skills are rarely mentioned in job ads as a requirement, but when probed, businesses say it’s needed. Organisations see that these capabilities are fundamental to successfully executing their strategic priorities in 2025 and beyond.”

In terms of employers looking to hire both permanent and contract staff, AI, ESG, and financial reporting would be sought out for permanent roles, while contract staff would be hired for operational needs such as invoicing, budgeting and data analysis.

“When it comes to building permanent teams, employers are strategically investing in roles that solidify their core financial integrity and future-readiness. The reliance on contractors for more transactional tasks is a smart approach to talent strategy to gain agility and efficiency without the overheads of permanent hires,” Haxby said.

“This flexible workforce model can accelerate strategic initiatives without disrupting core teams and can also allow organisations to scale capabilities precisely when and where needed.”

Despite wanting to hire, data found that 94 per cent of finance and accounting leaders were facing challenges in attracting and retaining the talent they needed to help implement their strategic priorities.

High salary expectations, lack of relevant industry experience among candidates, competition from other companies, lack of technical and soft skills, as well as a scarcity of qualified candidates were among the top challenges faced by employers.

Haxby said hiring intentions painted a picture of opportunity, but the reality on the ground for companies to advertise and hire for the position was far more complex.

“Even in a candidate-rich market, the journey from intention to a successful hire is fraught with challenges, from finding the right niche skills to getting the green light from the business to financially commit to the hire. These bold hiring intentions for finance teams allude to pent up demand amid a time of business complexity.”