The Accounting Talent Index 2026 has revealed the growing impact of the accounting talent shortage, with many firms struggling to recruit skilled professionals and meet increasing client demand.
Produced by AdvanceTrack, the report surveyed 500 accountants across the UK, Australia, the United States and Canada. Its findings suggest that recruitment challenges are now affecting not only day-to-day operations, but also firms’ ability to grow.
For Simon Deane, Director of Training at Accountancy Learning, the findings reflect conversations taking place across the industry.
“We’re speaking to employers every week who tell us recruitment has become significantly harder than it was just a few years ago. More firms are looking beyond simply filling vacancies and are thinking about how they develop the next generation of accounting professionals. Building talent from within has become an increasingly important part of long-term workforce planning.”
Some of the report’s key findings include:
- 73% say talent shortages are having a severe impact on their practice.
- 73% are turning away potential clients because they lack the capacity to take on more work.
- 74% are concerned growing workloads could lead to more staff leaving.
- 45% believe the talent shortage is worse than it was three years ago.
- 26% have considered leaving the profession.
With continued developments such as Making Tax Digital and the increasing use of AI across the profession, many employers are recognising the importance of investing in future talent rather than relying solely on recruiting experienced accountants.
Developing people through professional qualifications, including those offered by the AAT, alongside structured workplace learning and apprenticeships, can help firms build a sustainable pipeline of skilled accounting professionals for the future.
If you’re reviewing your recruitment strategy, our Apprenticeship Cost Calculator is a great place to start. It provides a quick estimate of the costs involved and highlights how apprenticeships can support long-term workforce planning.
