Harper May | Knowledge Hub | UK Accounting Recruitment Agency

Accountancy hiring in commerce and industry has surged by 17% in 2025 — the strongest rebound in over a decade. Regional hotspots and demand for ESG, AI, and hybrid-ready talent are driving growth, while financial services vacancies are set to fall.

The UK’s new Industrial Strategy outlines reforms to boost professional services, including accountancy. Key changes focus on AI adoption, audit reform, sustainability reporting, skills development, and regional growth hubs—aiming to make the UK the world’s most trusted advisory sector by 2035.

Agentic AI is set to transform tax workflows by autonomously managing complex tasks such as compliance, audit preparation, research, and planning. As it evolves, it will reshape how tax professionals work, enabling greater efficiency, insight, and strategic contribution.

Finance professionals across the UK are being recognised for their leadership, advocacy, and impact — from global finance roles to grassroots tax reform. These honours celebrate how accountancy continues to shape strategy, support communities, and drive change across the country.

Many accountancy firms overlook resource management as a profitability driver. Without aligning it to financial goals or improving real-time visibility, firms risk inefficiency and missed revenue. Investing in integrated systems and strategic planning can transform resource management into a powerful profit engine.

UK accountants are evolving into strategic leaders by blending traditional expertise with startup-inspired agility, digital fluency, and commercial insight. The CFOs of the future are already emerging—driving growth, shaping culture, and influencing direction across fast-moving, high-growth UK businesses.