Demand for finance professionals is strengthening across the UK as employers invest in financial control, performance oversight, and core accounting capability, according to new hiring data from Robert Half.
The talent solutions and business consulting company said its proprietary job posting database showed a rebound in finance and accounting recruitment during May. Finance Director postings rose 20% month on month, while Credit Controller roles increased by 19%.
Robert Half said finance leadership positions recorded the strongest month-on-month growth by job category, rising 11%. Systems and projects accounting jobs increased by 9%, while financial and management accounting roles rose 4%.
Core finance positions continue to account for large hiring volumes. Accounts Assistant roles were the most in demand, with 1,300 jobs posted, followed by Finance Manager roles at 1,150 and Tax Manager positions at 940. The data suggests employers are hiring across both transactional finance and more strategic positions.
Sector-level demand was strongest in areas linked to operational delivery and long-term growth. Business services recorded a 24% month-on-month increase in finance and accounting job postings, while manufacturing demand rose by 26%.
Phil Boden, market director at Robert Half, said: “UK businesses are continuing to sharpen their focus on financial resilience, and that is clearly feeding through into hiring patterns. Demand is rising for finance leaders who can bring clarity, control and long-term direction in a complex market.
“We are also seeing particular growth in roles aligned to cash flow management and working capital. This reflects a pragmatic shift among employers. Firms are clearly prioritising visibility over finances and strengthening controls where it matters most.
“It’s clear that businesses are recognising just how critical finance teams are to business performance in today’s market. Employers are not just hiring to backfill roles. They are building capability that can help firms navigate change with confidence.”
The rebound follows a period in which many employers managed hiring cautiously. Finance functions have been under sustained pressure from inflation, higher borrowing costs, wage growth, tax changes, energy volatility, and slower customer payments in some sectors. As uncertainty persists, companies are placing more emphasis on visibility, forecasting, and control.
The increase in Finance Director postings suggests that employers are seeking senior capability to guide investment decisions, manage risk, and improve performance discipline. In more volatile trading conditions, the finance function becomes central to scenario planning, margin protection, pricing decisions, and capital allocation.
The rise in Credit Controller roles is equally revealing. Working capital has become a priority as companies seek to protect cash flow and reduce exposure to late payment. Credit control is often treated as a back-office discipline, but in tighter markets it becomes a direct lever for liquidity and operational resilience.
Growth in systems and projects accounting roles also reflects the continuing digitisation of finance functions. Companies are upgrading reporting tools, automating processes, improving data quality, and integrating finance systems with operational platforms. Those projects require people who understand both accounting and transformation delivery.
Manufacturing demand is notable because the sector is facing high energy costs, supply chain pressure, and investment uncertainty. Stronger finance hiring in manufacturing may indicate that companies are strengthening cost control, pricing analysis, project accounting, and cash management as they navigate a difficult operating environment.
Business services growth also points to demand for commercially minded finance professionals who can support contracts, utilisation, pricing, and profitability across labour-intensive organisations. In such sectors, finance teams increasingly work alongside operational leaders rather than only reporting results after the fact.
The hiring data does not suggest a uniformly easy recruitment market. Employers still face skills shortages, salary pressure, and competition for experienced finance professionals who can combine technical capability with commercial judgement. Candidates with systems knowledge, cash management experience, and business partnering skills are likely to remain in demand.
Finance teams are being built around a wider performance brief. Transactional roles remain essential, but employers are also adding capacity around insight, governance, automation, and resilience. In a complex market, the finance function is being asked to do more than close the books. It is being asked to help steer the company.
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