By Caroline Furness, published 19 April 2026
Demand for specialist skills in UK accounting, audit, and tax continues to intensify, driven by technology adoption (67%) and competition from other sectors (61%), with regulatory and compliance changes contributing further pressure (56%). Other factors include the need to upskill or retrain existing staff (58%), limited availability of qualified professionals (51%), and higher salary and benefits expectations (47%).
Opportunities also exist: 44% of employers reported they could attract remote or international talent, while 37% highlighted succession planning and career development as key retention tools.
This has led consumer goods and retail ESG teams to have successfully upskilled internal finance staff while introducing targeted retention incentives and some pharmaceutical tax teams to leverage remote specialists to meet compliance deadlines efficiently.
In 2026, organisations that invest in internal development, succession planning, and flexible hiring models will be best positioned to secure the critical specialist skills that underpin growth and compliance.
Sheridan Maine partners with clients to address specialist skills challenges, combining internal development, strategic hiring, and flexible workforce models to future-proof finance teams.
