By Caroline Furness, published 5 April 2026

For UK employers in accounting, audit, and tax, compensation, flexible working, and development opportunities continue to dominate decisions around attracting and retaining talent. According to our survey:

• Salary, benefits & total compensation – 69%

• Hybrid/remote work flexibility – 64%

• Talent development & upskilling – 57%

• Technological advancements – 52%

• Regulatory & compliance requirements – 52%

• Macroeconomic conditions – 46%

• Employee wellbeing & culture – 45%

Other influencing factors include competition from other sectors (43%), internal transformation initiatives (39%), and DEI/employer branding (30%).

These findings highlight the importance of integrated talent strategies. Pharmaceutical finance teams investing in IFRS and ESG training alongside hybrid working saw improved retention at mid-level, while professional services firms leveraging technology-enabled learning pathways reported stronger engagement.

We believe that organisations aligning reward, flexibility, and capability development will be best positioned to attract and retain the skilled professionals needed in 2026.

Sheridan Maine works with clients to integrate compensation, development, and flexible working initiatives, helping them secure and retain top accounting and finance talent.

If you’re navigating these shifts and interested in what the new hiring landscape looks like, please feel free to reach out to us as we'd be delighted to share more of our insights with you.