Almost four in five UK employers say they’ve got skills gaps in their business. That’s a huge number and it comes at a real cost.
Staff are stretched; productivity takes a hit; quality drops and recruitment costs rise. Finance and accountancy teams aren’t immune. In fact, they sit right at the heart of it.
The role of the accountant has evolved – and continues to do so. It goes far beyond crunching numbers and arranging tax and VAT returns. Our new report shows how employers want people who can lead teams, think strategically (27 per cent), analyse data (23 per cent), and guide organisations through digital change.
Yes, the technical skills still matter – things like budgeting, reporting and payroll – but they’re no longer enough on their own. Transferable skills like problem-solving (27 per cent), leadership and management (25 per cent), as well as critical thinking are now just as important.
This shift reflects the way businesses now work with their finance teams. Accountants aren’t just keeping the books balanced, they’re helping boards decide where to invest, how to manage risk and grow responsibly. That requires confidence, communication and the ability to influence.
Digital skills are climbing the list too. Employers identify AI literacy and automation (25 per cent) alongside cybersecurity (20 per cent) as crucial finance and accounting skills for the future.
Finance professionals need to be confident working with new tech and aware of the risks that come with it. The message from employers is they want a mix; training must deliver the technical, digital and human skills side by side.
Challenges employers face
Unfortunately, while most employers see training as the answer, they’re struggling to make it happen. A massive 84 per cent say they face barriers to upskilling, leading to 10 per cent outsourcing work overseas.
We need urgent action, because every outsourced role is one less chance for UK talent to gain experience, and to strengthen the long-term resilience of the sector.
The biggest problems are lack of time (41 per cent), cost, low engagement (27 per cent) and a lack of suitable training (22 per cent).
However, that doesn’t mean progress isn’t happening. A quarter of employers have upskilled staff in the past year, and one in 10 are using apprenticeships to bring in new talent.
Looking ahead, many are planning for mentoring, professional courses and certified short programmes. That’s encouraging – but employers can’t fix this on their own. They need the government to step-up too.
Recommendations for businesses:
- Provide clear progression routes to retain and nurture talent, and partner with training providers to upskill employees in automation, cybersecurity and digital finance systems.
- Work with training providers and awarding bodies to co-design training schemes that meet real-world business needs to provide a pipeline of talent to help your business grow.
Recommendations for government
- Create an “SME Skills Navigator” service to help small employers access relevant finance training and apprenticeships.
- Develop a campaign targeted at learners and employers to increase the attractiveness of apprenticeships, with a particular focus on SMEs.
- Urgently clarify what types of short courses in accounting and finance are eligible via the new growth and skills levy, with clear timelines for implementation.
A joint effort
Finance is the backbone of every business. If we don’t tackle the skills gap, we’ll feel it across the economy – through lower productivity and innovation, weaker growth and fewer opportunities.
The good news is employers are willing to invest in their people. With the right support, they can. Everyone needs to play a part – the accounting industry, government, training providers and businesses – to ensure finance professionals have the full skillset they need to thrive.
This isn’t just about businesses getting the numbers right. Strong finance skills support better decision-making in every sector, from charities to public services to start-ups. They underpin innovation, investment and the resilience of communities.
If we build a pipeline of finance professionals with the right skills, we’re not only protecting the economy today – we’re giving the next generation of accountants the tools to grow it tomorrow.
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