The 2026 Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends data shows a sector still balancing economic pressure, ongoing skills shortages and rising expectations around flexibility. While employers continue to hire, the market remains competitive, with many finance professionals reconsidering what they want from their careers.

Hiring for potential remains essential

Skills shortages continue to shape hiring decisions. Employers say willingness to learn outweighs existing skills, with 76% viewing attitude as more important than technical ability. Most remain open to developing talent internally: 76% are quite likely or very likely to hire someone who doesn’t meet all requirements, with the intention to upskill. Intermediate roles remain the hardest to fill, with 46% of employers citing difficulty.
Soft skills continue to rank highly. The top areas professionals want to develop include the ability to upskill (37%), people management (31%) and communication (28%). These align closely with employer expectations and highlight the growing importance of adaptability and collaboration.

Pay satisfaction and transparency

Most finance professionals remain broadly satisfied with their pay, with 63% reporting their satisfied or very satisfied. However, over one third (34%) feel their pay does not fully reflect their responsibilities or performance. Looking ahead, just under half (47%) expect some form of pay rise this year, most commonly between 2.5% and 10%.
Salary transparency continues to influence job seeking behaviour, with 94% saying they are more likely to apply when pay is listed upfront.

Hybrid working remains a priority

Hybrid working remains the dominant model in accountancy and finance. 63% of professionals currently work in a hybrid pattern, while only 14% work fully remotely and 23% are fully on site.
Flexibility strongly influences job decisions:

• 62% say they would not consider a role without hybrid working.
• 35% would accept a lower salary for flexible work options and 55% for better work-life balance.

Work/life balance continues to vary, with just over half of professionals (57%) rating theirs as good or very good, while 43% describe it as average, poor or very poor. This reinforces the ongoing importance of flexible working policies for both attraction and retention.
Interest in a four-day week remains high among professionals, though adoption remains limited. Just 2-3% of organisations have introduced or trialled it, 91% believe it won’t become widespread.

Career confidence mixed as professionals reconsider priorities

Career outlook for 2026 is cautious: 49% feel uncertain about their prospects, and over half (61%) expect to move jobs within the next year. The most important factors when considering a new opportunity, outside salary, are a strong benefits package (50%), positive work environment (47%) and good location (36%).

Retention challenges persist, driven by limited progression opportunities, heavy workloads and external competition. Upskilling remains an area of focus, although 24% report receiving no upskilling support from their employer. Many professionals say they would value funded training (47%), structured development and time allocated for learning (29%).

The accountancy and finance sector in 2026 continues to evolve, shaped by candidate expectations, persistent skills shortages and employers’ need for greater flexibility. Hybrid working is now firmly embedded, and hiring for potential is increasingly common as organisations adapt to talent gaps. Employers who offer clear career pathways, meaningful flexibility and strong development opportunities will be best placed to secure and retain the talent they need in the year ahead market.

*Salaries based on jobs across the UK. Source: Salary & Recruiting Trends 2026 | Digital Guide | Hays