Hiring challenges persist but ease slightly

Talent acquisition in the accounting industry remains a pressing challenge. According to a survey released Wednesday by financial software company Intuit,8 out of 10 companies struggle to find skilled professionals. Although this figure is down from 94% last year, the industry still faces talent shortages at all levels of experience.

The report states: "Hiring junior candidates with more than one year of experience is particularly difficult, cited by 42% of respondents; followed by hiring talent with five or more years of experience (38%)。”

Industry context: declining graduates and licensing reforms

These findings come as the industry works to reverse the recent trend ofdeclining numbers of accounting graduates. Some students avoid the profession due to relatively low entry-level salaries, strict licensing requirements, and other factors.

Since late last year, more than 20 states have modifiedCPA licensing rules, with most states establishing new certification pathways that effectively reduce the required higher education years to four or a bachelor's degree, as previously reported by CFO Dive.

Expert perspective: cost and perception barriers

Simon Williams, vice president of Intuit QuickBooks accounting solutions, said in an email comment: "For the younger generation considering entering the field, there are high barriers to becoming a CPA, from exam and ongoing certification requirements to expensive university programs, making the accounting profession unattainable for many. Additionally, there is an outdated perception that accountants are just 'number crunchers' sitting behind desks with calculators. For those currently working in the industry, long hours—especially during tax season—often lead to burnout and difficulty achieving work-life balance."

Demand for technical skills intensifies challenges

Intuit's research shows that the growing demand for talent with technical skills complicates the issue further.Three-quarters of respondents said they have increased emphasis on technical skills in hiring criteria. The report says: "As technology continues to drive the accounting field forward, the industry is adapting—not just to fill positions, but to attract talent that can keep firms ahead of the curve."

Survey methodology

Intuit commissioned an online survey in April of 700 U.S. accounting professionals aged 18 and older.

For the latest updates on CPA licensing changes, see CFO Dive'srelated tracker。

This article has been updated to include comments from Intuit's Simon Williams.