Hiring in Accounting and Finance: Guide and Trends in 2026

Employers after candidates with both technical and soft skills

In 2025, the labour market for Singapore’s Accounting & Finance underwent radical shifts with the adoption of AI, automation and data analytics, all while businesses battled cost pressures stemming from US trade tariffs and other geopolitical shocks.

Demand rose for talent that wielded the rare combination of finance and IT skillsets. These candidates were especially prized for their ability to analyse large, complex data sets and develop forecasts that support broader business strategy.

Companies engaged in cost cutting initiatives over the past year, outsourcing roles that were transactional in nature to countries with lower labour costs. More employers hired temporary or contingent workers on contract as permanent positions dwindled amidst headcount freezes.

Read on to find out more about the labour market and hiring trends for Singapore’s Accounting & Finance professionals in 2026.

AI continues to reshape hiring and role expectations

“Gone are the days when finance professionals were primarily number crunchers,” states Elise Tok, Manager at Robert Walters Singapore. “AI is now common in many workflows, taking over the many manual tasks that once dominated finance roles. This has prompted a shift in the way companies approach workforce management and upskilling.”

Technical skillsets such as data analytics will be a key feature in the 2026 hiring market. However, given the shortage of talent with such skills, hiring is expected to skew towards a skills-based approach, where employers take on candidates with the ability to perform at the job even if they lack formal credentials.

Soft skills such as communication and storytelling will become more important. This is most true for accountants, positions in accounts payable and accounts receivables, and financial analysts (reporting) – roles most at risk from the impact of AI and automation.

“Finance professionals in these roles will need to learn how to leverage AI in their daily work,” cautions Elise. “Increasingly, the value of their work will come from the ability to convey a clear and compelling narrative from complex financial data to stakeholders in other functions.”

Top roles and skills in demand

In 2026, finance business partners, finance managers and financial analysts will be in high demand. Soft skills such as adaptability, resilience, stakeholder management, and commercial and business acumen will be greatly sought after.

The clear throughline here are competencies that can’t be performed by AI. These professionals and functions are valuable precisely because they help the business meet its goals through human judgment, collaboration and communication.

Long-term job stability the top priority

Industry professionals are cautious about job changes as the economic outlook remains hazy, favouring opportunities that grant them long-term growth.

Nevertheless, flexibility and competitive compensation are now baseline expectations for most job seekers. Besides these factors, companies should also look to foster a great workplace culture to better attract and retain talent.

Salaries remain depressed

In 2026, wages will likely stay flat as companies balance tight budgets amidst economic uncertainty. However, certain niche and strategic roles may enjoy higher increments.

Find out more

Request access to our 2026 Salary Survey to benchmark salaries and to find out more about key hiring trends in the Accounting & Finance industry in Singapore.