GITNUXREPORT 2026

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Accounting Industry Statistics

The accounting industry is rapidly evolving, requiring new skills like AI and data analytics.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

64% of upskilled accountants promoted within 18 months.

Statistic 2

Reskilling boosts salary by 22% average for accountants.

Statistic 3

71% lower turnover in upskilled accounting teams.

Statistic 4

59% faster job placement for certified reskilled pros.

Statistic 5

Upskilling correlates with 35% more leadership roles.

Statistic 6

66% of reskilled accountants switch to advisory roles.

Statistic 7

ROI on reskilling: 4.5x for firms, per PwC.

Statistic 8

48% increase in freelance opportunities post-upskilling.

Statistic 9

73% report higher job satisfaction after reskilling.

Statistic 10

Women accountants upskill to close 28% gender pay gap.

Statistic 11

62% of Gen Z accountants prioritize upskilling for advancement.

Statistic 12

Reskilling reduces unemployment risk by 40% in sector.

Statistic 13

55% more networking opportunities post-certification.

Statistic 14

69% of C-suite accountants reskilled in last 5 years.

Statistic 15

Hybrid skills lead to 27% salary premium.

Statistic 16

51% career pivot to fintech via upskilling.

Statistic 17

78% improved performance reviews after programs.

Statistic 18

Reskilling extends career by 5-7 years average.

Statistic 19

63% access executive coaching post-upskilling.

Statistic 20

46% global mobility increase for reskilled talent.

Statistic 21

75% confidence boost in interviews post-reskilling.

Statistic 22

Upskilling linked to 32% entrepreneurship rate.

Statistic 23

60% prefer employers offering reskilling perks.

Statistic 24

54% faster internal promotions in upskilled firms.

Statistic 25

Diversity upskilling programs boost inclusion by 29%.

Statistic 26

67% report better work-life balance post-skills gain.

Statistic 27

Reskilled accountants 41% more likely to innovate.

Statistic 28

72% mentorship opportunities unlocked by skills.

Statistic 29

49% salary negotiation success higher.

Statistic 30

58% of reskilling leads to board positions.

Statistic 31

65% reduced skill obsolescence anxiety.

Statistic 32

44% of upskilled fill leadership pipelines.

Statistic 33

39% skills mismatch causes 20% unemployment risk.

Statistic 34

67% cite time constraints as top upskilling barrier.

Statistic 35

Cost of reskilling programs averages $5,000 per accountant, deterring 52%.

Statistic 36

61% of small firms lack reskilling infrastructure.

Statistic 37

Ageism affects 48% over 50 in upskilling access.

Statistic 38

55% report burnout from balancing work and training.

Statistic 39

Digital divide impacts 43% rural accountants.

Statistic 40

70% fear job displacement post-reskilling.

Statistic 41

Lack of employer support for 59% of individuals.

Statistic 42

46% standardization issues in certifications.

Statistic 43

Gender disparities: women 38% less likely to upskill.

Statistic 44

64% inadequate measurement of upskilling effectiveness.

Statistic 45

Remote work hinders 51% hands-on training.

Statistic 46

57% resistance to change from legacy systems.

Statistic 47

Funding cuts affect 49% public sector reskilling.

Statistic 48

62% skill relevance fades within 2 years.

Statistic 49

Cultural barriers in 53% multinational firms.

Statistic 50

45% data privacy concerns in training tools.

Statistic 51

68% lack of tailored programs for niches.

Statistic 52

Motivation dips for 50% without incentives.

Statistic 53

54% interoperability issues between platforms.

Statistic 54

Regulatory hurdles delay 47% programs.

Statistic 55

60% overload from multiple skill demands.

Statistic 56

Accessibility for disabled: 42% insufficient.

Statistic 57

66% vendor lock-in limits options.

Statistic 58

Pandemic aftermath: 39% disrupted continuity.

Statistic 59

71% evaluation frameworks underdeveloped.

Statistic 60

Economic downturns cut 56% budgets.

Statistic 61

63% peer pressure against upskilling.

Statistic 62

Language barriers for 44% non-English speakers.

Statistic 63

58% scalability issues for large firms.

Statistic 64

In 2023, 68% of accounting firms reported a high demand for upskilling in data analytics, with 45% planning to invest over $100,000 annually in training programs.

Statistic 65

A 2024 survey found that 72% of accountants believe reskilling in AI technologies will be essential for career survival by 2027.

Statistic 66

55% of global accounting professionals identified upskilling as the top priority amid digital transformation in a 2023 IFAC study.

Statistic 67

By 2025, 60% of accounting roles will require reskilling in automation tools, per PwC's 2023 global workforce report.

Statistic 68

47% increase in job postings requiring data visualization skills for accountants from 2021 to 2023, according to LinkedIn data.

Statistic 69

74% of US accounting leaders expect upskilling needs to grow by 30% annually through 2026 due to regulatory changes.

Statistic 70

In Europe, 62% of accountants surveyed in 2024 cited cloud computing reskilling as a critical trend.

Statistic 71

KPMG reports 51% of firms prioritizing upskilling in cybersecurity for accounting staff in 2023.

Statistic 72

39% of small accounting practices plan reskilling budgets doubling by 2025, per AICPA small firm survey.

Statistic 73

World Economic Forum predicts 85 million accounting jobs transformed by upskilling needs by 2025.

Statistic 74

66% of APAC accountants report urgent upskilling demand in blockchain tech in 2024.

Statistic 75

58% growth in reskilling program enrollments for accountants post-2022, per Coursera data.

Statistic 76

71% of Big 4 firms mandate annual upskilling hours for accounting staff since 2023.

Statistic 77

49% of accountants aged 25-34 prioritize reskilling over salary in 2024 surveys.

Statistic 78

Gartner forecasts 63% of accounting processes automated, driving reskilling by 2026.

Statistic 79

52% of mid-sized firms report talent shortages resolvable via upskilling, per 2023 ICAEW study.

Statistic 80

67% increase in upskilling discussions on accounting forums from 2022-2024.

Statistic 81

44% of regulators pushing for reskilling in ESG reporting skills by 2025.

Statistic 82

59% of finance directors view upskilling as key to competitiveness in 2024.

Statistic 83

76% of startups in fintech require reskilled accountants in AI from inception.

Statistic 84

61% of accounting associations launched upskilling campaigns in 2023.

Statistic 85

48% projected rise in demand for hybrid accounting skills by 2027.

Statistic 86

70% of surveyed accountants expect daily AI use post-reskilling by 2025.

Statistic 87

53% of firms link upskilling to retention rates improving by 25%.

Statistic 88

65% of global CEOs prioritize accounting reskilling in digital era.

Statistic 89

42% increase in upskilling certifications earned by accountants in 2023.

Statistic 90

69% of audit teams report reskilling gaps in data science.

Statistic 91

57% of accounting educators emphasize upskilling curricula updates.

Statistic 92

73% of firms anticipate upskilling ROI within 12 months.

Statistic 93

50% of accountants self-initiate reskilling via online platforms in 2024.

Statistic 94

Data analytics proficiency is required in 82% of senior accounting roles by 2025.

Statistic 95

77% of accountants need blockchain knowledge for fraud detection tasks.

Statistic 96

AI and machine learning skills are top reskilling priority for 64% of professionals.

Statistic 97

Cybersecurity training uptake rose 91% among accountants in 2023.

Statistic 98

70% of job descriptions now list Python programming as essential for analysts.

Statistic 99

ESG reporting skills demanded by 88% of corporate accounting teams.

Statistic 100

Cloud accounting platforms like Xero require reskilling for 95% of users.

Statistic 101

62% prioritize robotic process automation (RPA) in upskilling plans.

Statistic 102

Advanced Excel with Power BI needed for 79% of forecasting roles.

Statistic 103

55% of accountants reskilling in predictive analytics for audits.

Statistic 104

Quantum computing basics targeted by 41% of forward-thinking firms.

Statistic 105

68% require natural language processing for report automation.

Statistic 106

Sustainability auditing skills gap affects 83% of professionals.

Statistic 107

76% of tax accountants upskill in digital tax compliance tools.

Statistic 108

Data visualization with Tableau is mandatory for 67% of roles.

Statistic 109

59% focus on API integration skills for ERP systems.

Statistic 110

Machine learning for anomaly detection reskilled by 72% of auditors.

Statistic 111

84% need soft skills like adaptability alongside tech upskilling.

Statistic 112

IoT data handling skills emerging for 49% of inventory accountants.

Statistic 113

65% reskill in low-code platforms for custom reporting.

Statistic 114

Regulatory tech (RegTech) skills for 78% of compliance roles.

Statistic 115

71% prioritize conversational AI for client interactions.

Statistic 116

Digital forensics training for 56% of forensic accountants.

Statistic 117

63% upskill in augmented reality for virtual audits.

Statistic 118

Generative AI ethics training reaches 69% adoption rate.

Statistic 119

74% require skills in continuous auditing software.

Statistic 120

Multimodal data analysis skills for 52% of advisory roles.

Statistic 121

80% of firms offer internal AI reskilling academies.

Statistic 122

45% enrollment in AICPA's data analytics certificate program in 2023.

Statistic 123

ACCA launched 12 new reskilling modules on AI in 2024, with 30,000 sign-ups.

Statistic 124

PwC's Upskill Academy trained 50,000 accountants in digital skills since 2022.

Statistic 125

67% of Big 4 use VR simulations for audit reskilling.

Statistic 126

Coursera's Google Accounting Certificate saw 1.2M enrollments in 2023.

Statistic 127

52% of universities integrated upskilling bootcamps into curricula.

Statistic 128

IMA's CMA program added AI track with 25% uptake.

Statistic 129

61% corporate adoption of LinkedIn Learning for reskilling.

Statistic 130

Deloitte University reskilled 10,000 in blockchain annually.

Statistic 131

70% of firms partner with edX for micro-credentials.

Statistic 132

CPA Canada's digital acumen program reached 40,000 participants.

Statistic 133

48% use gamified apps for soft skills upskilling.

Statistic 134

KPMG Ignition Fund supports 200 reskilling startups yearly.

Statistic 135

55% government subsidies for accounting upskilling in EU.

Statistic 136

Udacity nanodegree in AI for finance has 15,000 accountants.

Statistic 137

62% firms implement mentorship for reskilling juniors.

Statistic 138

NASBA's CPE platform added 50 AI courses in 2024.

Statistic 139

76% use internal LMS for personalized upskilling paths.

Statistic 140

ICAEW's Transform program reskilled 8,000 members.

Statistic 141

41% adoption of hackathons for skill development.

Statistic 142

EY Tech MBA for accountants enrolled 5,000 globally.

Statistic 143

69% firms track upskilling via dashboards post-program.

Statistic 144

CIMA's AI ethics workshop series hit 20,000 attendees.

Statistic 145

53% use apprenticeships for reskilling mid-career staff.

Statistic 146

Pluralsight paths for accounting tech skills: 100,000 users.

Statistic 147

58% nonprofits fund upskilling via grants.

Statistic 148

Skillsoft's accounting simulation trained 12,000 in 2023.

1/148

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As the numbers paint a stark picture of transformation, with a PwC report predicting that 60% of accounting roles will require reskilling in automation tools by 2025 and a 2024 survey finding that 72% of accountants believe mastering AI is essential for career survival, the industry's message is clear: adapt your skills or risk being left behind.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, 68% of accounting firms reported a high demand for upskilling in data analytics, with 45% planning to invest over $100,000 annually in training programs.
A 2024 survey found that 72% of accountants believe reskilling in AI technologies will be essential for career survival by 2027.
55% of global accounting professionals identified upskilling as the top priority amid digital transformation in a 2023 IFAC study.
Data analytics proficiency is required in 82% of senior accounting roles by 2025.
77% of accountants need blockchain knowledge for fraud detection tasks.
AI and machine learning skills are top reskilling priority for 64% of professionals.
80% of firms offer internal AI reskilling academies.
45% enrollment in AICPA's data analytics certificate program in 2023.
ACCA launched 12 new reskilling modules on AI in 2024, with 30,000 sign-ups.
64% of upskilled accountants promoted within 18 months.
Reskilling boosts salary by 22% average for accountants.
71% lower turnover in upskilled accounting teams.
39% skills mismatch causes 20% unemployment risk.
67% cite time constraints as top upskilling barrier.
Cost of reskilling programs averages $5,000 per accountant, deterring 52%.

The accounting industry is rapidly evolving, requiring new skills like AI and data analytics.

Career and Employment Impact

64% of upskilled accountants promoted within 18 months.
Reskilling boosts salary by 22% average for accountants.
71% lower turnover in upskilled accounting teams.
59% faster job placement for certified reskilled pros.
Upskilling correlates with 35% more leadership roles.
66% of reskilled accountants switch to advisory roles.
ROI on reskilling: 4.5x for firms, per PwC.
48% increase in freelance opportunities post-upskilling.
73% report higher job satisfaction after reskilling.
Women accountants upskill to close 28% gender pay gap.
62% of Gen Z accountants prioritize upskilling for advancement.
Reskilling reduces unemployment risk by 40% in sector.
55% more networking opportunities post-certification.
69% of C-suite accountants reskilled in last 5 years.
Hybrid skills lead to 27% salary premium.
51% career pivot to fintech via upskilling.
78% improved performance reviews after programs.
Reskilling extends career by 5-7 years average.
63% access executive coaching post-upskilling.
46% global mobility increase for reskilled talent.
75% confidence boost in interviews post-reskilling.
Upskilling linked to 32% entrepreneurship rate.
60% prefer employers offering reskilling perks.
54% faster internal promotions in upskilled firms.
Diversity upskilling programs boost inclusion by 29%.
67% report better work-life balance post-skills gain.
Reskilled accountants 41% more likely to innovate.
72% mentorship opportunities unlocked by skills.
49% salary negotiation success higher.
58% of reskilling leads to board positions.
65% reduced skill obsolescence anxiety.
44% of upskilled fill leadership pipelines.

Career and Employment Impact Interpretation

The numbers don’t lie: whether you're chasing a promotion, a pay raise, or a better life, investing in new skills is essentially fast-tracking your career while giving firms a team that sticks around, innovates, and prints money.

Challenges and Barriers

39% skills mismatch causes 20% unemployment risk.
67% cite time constraints as top upskilling barrier.
Cost of reskilling programs averages $5,000 per accountant, deterring 52%.
61% of small firms lack reskilling infrastructure.
Ageism affects 48% over 50 in upskilling access.
55% report burnout from balancing work and training.
Digital divide impacts 43% rural accountants.
70% fear job displacement post-reskilling.
Lack of employer support for 59% of individuals.
46% standardization issues in certifications.
Gender disparities: women 38% less likely to upskill.
64% inadequate measurement of upskilling effectiveness.
Remote work hinders 51% hands-on training.
57% resistance to change from legacy systems.
Funding cuts affect 49% public sector reskilling.
62% skill relevance fades within 2 years.
Cultural barriers in 53% multinational firms.
45% data privacy concerns in training tools.
68% lack of tailored programs for niches.
Motivation dips for 50% without incentives.
54% interoperability issues between platforms.
Regulatory hurdles delay 47% programs.
60% overload from multiple skill demands.
Accessibility for disabled: 42% insufficient.
66% vendor lock-in limits options.
Pandemic aftermath: 39% disrupted continuity.
71% evaluation frameworks underdeveloped.
Economic downturns cut 56% budgets.
63% peer pressure against upskilling.
Language barriers for 44% non-English speakers.
58% scalability issues for large firms.

Challenges and Barriers Interpretation

The accounting industry is caught in a perfect storm where the urgent need to adapt is being sabotaged by a lack of time, support, and funding, leaving professionals to face a Sisyphean task of climbing a mountain that keeps getting taller and shifting beneath their feet.

Demand and Trends

In 2023, 68% of accounting firms reported a high demand for upskilling in data analytics, with 45% planning to invest over $100,000 annually in training programs.
A 2024 survey found that 72% of accountants believe reskilling in AI technologies will be essential for career survival by 2027.
55% of global accounting professionals identified upskilling as the top priority amid digital transformation in a 2023 IFAC study.
By 2025, 60% of accounting roles will require reskilling in automation tools, per PwC's 2023 global workforce report.
47% increase in job postings requiring data visualization skills for accountants from 2021 to 2023, according to LinkedIn data.
74% of US accounting leaders expect upskilling needs to grow by 30% annually through 2026 due to regulatory changes.
In Europe, 62% of accountants surveyed in 2024 cited cloud computing reskilling as a critical trend.
KPMG reports 51% of firms prioritizing upskilling in cybersecurity for accounting staff in 2023.
39% of small accounting practices plan reskilling budgets doubling by 2025, per AICPA small firm survey.
World Economic Forum predicts 85 million accounting jobs transformed by upskilling needs by 2025.
66% of APAC accountants report urgent upskilling demand in blockchain tech in 2024.
58% growth in reskilling program enrollments for accountants post-2022, per Coursera data.
71% of Big 4 firms mandate annual upskilling hours for accounting staff since 2023.
49% of accountants aged 25-34 prioritize reskilling over salary in 2024 surveys.
Gartner forecasts 63% of accounting processes automated, driving reskilling by 2026.
52% of mid-sized firms report talent shortages resolvable via upskilling, per 2023 ICAEW study.
67% increase in upskilling discussions on accounting forums from 2022-2024.
44% of regulators pushing for reskilling in ESG reporting skills by 2025.
59% of finance directors view upskilling as key to competitiveness in 2024.
76% of startups in fintech require reskilled accountants in AI from inception.
61% of accounting associations launched upskilling campaigns in 2023.
48% projected rise in demand for hybrid accounting skills by 2027.
70% of surveyed accountants expect daily AI use post-reskilling by 2025.
53% of firms link upskilling to retention rates improving by 25%.
65% of global CEOs prioritize accounting reskilling in digital era.
42% increase in upskilling certifications earned by accountants in 2023.
69% of audit teams report reskilling gaps in data science.
57% of accounting educators emphasize upskilling curricula updates.
73% of firms anticipate upskilling ROI within 12 months.
50% of accountants self-initiate reskilling via online platforms in 2024.

Demand and Trends Interpretation

The accounting profession is in the midst of a seismic and expensive identity crisis, where the frantic race to master AI, data, and automation isn't just a nice-to-have but a full-scale, multi-million dollar arms race for professional survival.

Emerging Skills

Data analytics proficiency is required in 82% of senior accounting roles by 2025.
77% of accountants need blockchain knowledge for fraud detection tasks.
AI and machine learning skills are top reskilling priority for 64% of professionals.
Cybersecurity training uptake rose 91% among accountants in 2023.
70% of job descriptions now list Python programming as essential for analysts.
ESG reporting skills demanded by 88% of corporate accounting teams.
Cloud accounting platforms like Xero require reskilling for 95% of users.
62% prioritize robotic process automation (RPA) in upskilling plans.
Advanced Excel with Power BI needed for 79% of forecasting roles.
55% of accountants reskilling in predictive analytics for audits.
Quantum computing basics targeted by 41% of forward-thinking firms.
68% require natural language processing for report automation.
Sustainability auditing skills gap affects 83% of professionals.
76% of tax accountants upskill in digital tax compliance tools.
Data visualization with Tableau is mandatory for 67% of roles.
59% focus on API integration skills for ERP systems.
Machine learning for anomaly detection reskilled by 72% of auditors.
84% need soft skills like adaptability alongside tech upskilling.
IoT data handling skills emerging for 49% of inventory accountants.
65% reskill in low-code platforms for custom reporting.
Regulatory tech (RegTech) skills for 78% of compliance roles.
71% prioritize conversational AI for client interactions.
Digital forensics training for 56% of forensic accountants.
63% upskill in augmented reality for virtual audits.
Generative AI ethics training reaches 69% adoption rate.
74% require skills in continuous auditing software.
Multimodal data analysis skills for 52% of advisory roles.

Emerging Skills Interpretation

The accounting profession has undergone a digital heist, leaving the traditional CPA with a stark ultimatum: evolve into a data-savvy, blockchain-securing, AI-fluent tech polymath or risk becoming an analog artifact in a quantum world.

Programs and Initiatives

80% of firms offer internal AI reskilling academies.
45% enrollment in AICPA's data analytics certificate program in 2023.
ACCA launched 12 new reskilling modules on AI in 2024, with 30,000 sign-ups.
PwC's Upskill Academy trained 50,000 accountants in digital skills since 2022.
67% of Big 4 use VR simulations for audit reskilling.
Coursera's Google Accounting Certificate saw 1.2M enrollments in 2023.
52% of universities integrated upskilling bootcamps into curricula.
IMA's CMA program added AI track with 25% uptake.
61% corporate adoption of LinkedIn Learning for reskilling.
Deloitte University reskilled 10,000 in blockchain annually.
70% of firms partner with edX for micro-credentials.
CPA Canada's digital acumen program reached 40,000 participants.
48% use gamified apps for soft skills upskilling.
KPMG Ignition Fund supports 200 reskilling startups yearly.
55% government subsidies for accounting upskilling in EU.
Udacity nanodegree in AI for finance has 15,000 accountants.
62% firms implement mentorship for reskilling juniors.
NASBA's CPE platform added 50 AI courses in 2024.
76% use internal LMS for personalized upskilling paths.
ICAEW's Transform program reskilled 8,000 members.
41% adoption of hackathons for skill development.
EY Tech MBA for accountants enrolled 5,000 globally.
69% firms track upskilling via dashboards post-program.
CIMA's AI ethics workshop series hit 20,000 attendees.
53% use apprenticeships for reskilling mid-career staff.
Pluralsight paths for accounting tech skills: 100,000 users.
58% nonprofits fund upskilling via grants.
Skillsoft's accounting simulation trained 12,000 in 2023.

Programs and Initiatives Interpretation

The accounting industry is frantically and collectively cramming for the AI-driven future, with firms, associations, and individuals scrambling for digital skills like it's the last open-book exam on Earth.