The 2026 Finance and Accounting Outlook
The role of finance is evolving, and fast. From the integration of artificial intelligence to the growing strategic role of finance professionals, here are the five key accounting and finance trends to look for in 2026 — and how Aston Carter can help you respond.
Trend #1: AI in Accounting is Boosting Efficiency
Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a mainstay for financial teams. 48% of accountants report using AI every day, and over 80% believe it boosts their productivity and helps make their work more manageable. One survey found that accountants using AI reported a 7.5-day reduction in monthly close time.
Finance teams are leaning into other automation tools as well, including robotic process automation (RPA), to streamline repetitive tasks like invoice processing and data entry. With digital tools taking on more manual tasks, workers can focus instead on higher-level tasks like strategic analysis, which is becoming an increasingly important skill for financial professionals.
Next Steps
Prioritize finding talent who can activate automation and help finance shift from task execution to strategic enablement. Aston Carter can deliver finance talent who know how to apply automation tools to reduce manual work and boost efficiency.
Trend #2: Finance is Increasingly Acting as a Strategic Partner
Accounting and finance professionals are becoming a go-to for strategic thought, for both their clients and within their companies. 79% of accountants anticipate growth in strategic advisory services within the next year.
Internally, 57% of surveyed financial leaders reported being among the top leaders influencing strategy development across their organization. This advisory role includes shaping company strategy, forecasting risk and driving business decisions with real-time financial data.
Next Steps
Embrace the evolving role of accounting and finance professionals by seeking talent who can inform business strategy, not just financial reporting. Aston Carter places talent who bring insights that shape planning, risk and growth strategies.
Trend #3: Digital Transformation Supports, but Also Overwhelms, Finance Teams
Cloud platforms, data analytics and blockchain are reshaping how finance teams operate. But while AI and automation tools support accounting and finance workloads, integration can be a challenge. On average, accountants are managing eight different digital tools, leaving many feeling overwhelmed by their digital ecosystem.
Next Steps
Invest in talent who can help streamline tools and translate data into decisions. Aston Carter can match you with professionals who have experience navigating complex tech stacks and turning fragmented data into business-ready insights.
Trend #4: The Accounting Talent Shortage is Slowly Ending
The accountant talent shortage has plagued companies for years, but an end may finally be in sight. Enrollments in accounting programs appear to be growing for the third consecutive semester.
College graduates are increasingly attracted to the pay and stability of a career in accounting. But hiring managers may find that their demands are a departure from previous salary and benefits packages. Companies need to be ready to offer greater flexibility, including hybrid work options, to attract and retain the younger generation of talent.
Though this growth in accounting degree enrollments is a promising long-term development, it doesn’t solve short-term talent issues. Companies will still need to compete for qualified candidates for the foreseeable future or supplement their workforce with interim staffing and automation.
Next Steps
Future-proof your workforce with diversified sourcing strategies to find in-demand specialized talent. With accounting and finance talent pools in a state of flux, Aston Carter helps clients rethink talent strategies by tapping into interim talent and upskilled professionals.
Trend #5: Nontraditional Candidates Are Entering the Finance Hiring Market
The top financial professionals of 2026 will be able to pair financial acumen with technical skills in data, AI and automation. But competition for this talent will be fierce. To circumnavigate the accounting and finance talent pool, many companies are investing in upskilling their current team or looking to talent from the tech sector. One survey showed that 35% of respondents were considering candidates from nontraditional backgrounds, such as engineering and data science.
Next Steps
Aim to recruit cross-functional talent who can lead digital adoption and elevate the role of finance. Aston Carter connects companies with talent who combine core accounting skills with fluency in emerging technologies.
Future-proof Your Finance Team with Aston Carter
Your people will be your greatest asset in navigating these trends in 2026. Aston Carter can connect you to expert accounting and finance consultants with extensive experience in business transformation efforts, including specialized skills in ERP implementations, data visualization tools and automation.
Contact us today to begin building a finance and accounting team primed to thrive in 2026.
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