An article written by Emma Murphy, Recruitment Consultant at Darwin Hawkins
From the roles I worked on last year and the conversations I had with newly qualified accountants and hiring managers within financial services, one thing was clear: digital transformation isn’t something that’s coming. It’s already happening.
Whether it was a bank rolling out a new reporting platform or a funds business automating parts of their finance team, the shift was well underway in 2025. And this trend looks set to continue in 2026.
Insights from 2025
Rather than hiring for routine finance roles, firms started looking for people who could bridge the gap between numbers, systems and insight. For NQ accountants, that meant demand was strongest for:
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Those with strong Excel and ideally exposure to Power BI or SQL
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People who could explain the story behind the numbers, not just produce them
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NQs who had worked on automation or system upgrades during training
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Those open to exploring non traditional paths like finance transformation or project work
It is no longer just about technical training. It is about how you apply it in a more connected and tech enabled environment.
What to Expect in 2026
1) Finance roles will keep evolving
You will see job specs blending finance and tech. Tasks like month end reporting and dashboard building are appearing side by side. You do not need to be a developer, but being confident around systems and data will really help.
2) Soft skills are a standout factor
Your ability to explain numbers to commercial teams or communicate insights clearly is what sets you apart. Storytelling with data is a skill worth building early.
3) Growth can come internally
Some of the most exciting digital transformation work is happening inside finance teams. If you are curious about process improvement, systems or analytics, those projects might already be happening where you are. You just need to raise your hand.
Final Thought
For NQ accountants entering financial services, the landscape has changed and that is not a bad thing. Digital transformation is opening new doors and giving early career finance professionals the chance to stand out in ways that were not possible before.
If you are starting your career and noticing this shift too, I would love to hear how it is showing up in your world.