Is finance demand in the UK?
Yes — broadly speaking, demand for finance professionals remains fairly strong in the UK, though with some important shifts underlying the numbers. Here’s a breakdown of the current situation (as of 2025) and what “finance demand” tends to mean now.
✅ Where demand remains high
- In 2025, there has been a surge in demand for accountancy and commercial-sector finance roles (rather than classic banking). According to a report by Morgan McKinley + Vacancysoft, accountancy hiring rose ~17 % across commerce and industry, even while hiring in financial services contracted. Vacancysoft+2Morgan McKinley+2
- Roles linked to AI, data analytics, ESG (environmental/social/governance), financial planning & analysis (FP&A), compliance and transformation are especially in demand, as many firms undergo digital transformation, regulatory change and sustainability-related adaptations. Morgan McKinley+2ceresresourcing.recsites.co.uk+2
- In the fintech and financial-technology-enabled segment, demand is especially strong: a 44 % year-on-year increase in vacancies was reported across the UK in 2024. Financial IT+1
So if you have skills in accounting, analytics, compliance, ESG reporting, fintech, or finance-tech integration — especially combined with data or digital skills — there are good opportunities.
⚠️ But traditional banking / “legacy” finance may be shaky
- Hiring in classic banking or some financial-services firms is weaker: the same Morgan McKinley / Vacancysoft report notes a decline in traditional banking vacancies in 2024. Morgan McKinley+1
- There’s also a shift in what kinds of finance jobs are being created; firms increasingly value hybrid roles combining finance + tech/analytics/ESG, so purely traditional roles may become fewer. ceresresourcing.recsites.co.uk+1
Thus, while “finance demand” remains, where that demand lies is changing.
📈 What the data says overall
| Segment / Trend | Status 2025 |
| Accountancy & Commercial Finance (industry, retail, manufacturing) | Growing strongly (+ 17 % hiring surge) Vacancysoft+1 |
| Fintech / AI-driven Finance / Digital Finance | High growth (e.g. 44 % increase in vacancies) Financial IT+1 |
| Traditional Banking / Financial-services roles | Declining/stagnating Morgan McKinley+1 |
| Finance roles requiring advanced skills (FP&A, ESG, analytics, compliance) | In demand ceresresourcing.recsites.co.uk+1 |
A hiring-intentions survey cited by one recruitment firm found that 58 % of UK hiring managers plan to expand their permanent finance teams in the first half of 2025. Robert Half
🎯 What this means if you’re looking for finance work
- If you have modern, in-demand skills — e.g. accounting + data/tech, ESG, FP&A, fintech — there are good prospects, potentially more outside London than before.
- Roles in traditional banking are likely tougher or more competitive, especially for entry-level or generic finance positions.
- Consider sector flexibility — many opportunities are now in non-financial-services firms (manufacturing, retail, tech), rather than big banks or investment firms.
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