Global Accounting Talent Index
Download the definitive exclusive report on accountancy’s biggest challenges - and how firms are responding.
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Severely impacted by talent shortages
Say it’s critical to retain staff
Concerned about higher workloads
Increased stress or anxiety
Why download the Accounting Talent Index full report?
Gain industry insights
Understand how the talent crisis and its implications are affecting accounting firms in your country and worldwide.
Make data-driven decisions
Leverage our research to help you make informed decisions that will shape the future of your firm.
Get ahead of upcoming market trends
Help your firm to anticipate market changes and adapt your talent acquisition strategies and delivery models effectively.
Utilise strategic recommendations
Gain actionable advice on attracting and retaining skilled accounting talent while managing consistent delivery and firm growth.
"What stands out is the urgency for bold leadership. Rethinking the practice model isn’t optional; it’s survival. This means reallocating resources from low-value compliance to high-impact advisory, where accountants thrive as strategic partners rather than processors."
Steve Cox FCCA, Chief Executive Officer, The AIR Network
Key findings on the global accountant shortage
say that talent shortages are having a severe impact on the practice
say that they are having to turn away potential clients
are concerned that high workloads due to the talent shortage could lead to staff leaving
say that the talent shortage is worse than it was three years ago
report increased stress or anxiety
are considering leaving the profession
These findings indicate that the accounting talent shortage doesn’t just limit growth opportunities for practices, the knock-on impact of increased workload and pressure on existing staff can also be damaging to the firm, employees and clients, compounding the problem further.
How can we overcome the accounting skills shortage?
While the findings show that there are major challenges in the accounting sector currently, the Index also outlines how industry leaders are responding – and the steps they are taking to thrive, rather than just survive, as they futureproof their operations and business models.
say that they are investing in training and development
say they are exploring outsourcing, offshoring or technology solutions to help manage capacity
are actively investing in AI
say that retaining staff is as important as recruiting new talent
This shows that while technology clearly has a strong role to play in the future of accounting, it’s about reshaping processes, services and delivery rather than replacing people. The 2026 Accounting Talent Index offers unique insight into where the pressure points lie and what the highest-performing firms globally are doing to adapt and grow in the face of these sector-wide challenges.
What is the Accounting Talent Index?
The 2026 Accounting Talent Index is a comprehensive look at how accountancy firms are responding to the sector’s most urgent issue: a shortage of skilled people.
Based on a global accountancy survey of firm leaders and accounting practice professionals, including those based in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, this major annual industry report reveals how ongoing recruitment and retention issues are having a severe impact on growth plans, stretching teams thin and forcing firms to not only turn away work due to lack of capacity, but also radically rethink how they resource for the future.