Which accounting professions are recruiting the most in 2026?

The accounting professions that are recruiting the most in 2026 are not what you might expect. While artificial intelligence automates repetitive tasks, tension in the accounting job market is reaching unprecedented levels: over 40,000 active offers in France, and nearly 30,000 positions to fill in chartered accounting firms alone according to the profession's Jobs Observatory. If you're looking for an accounting job or want to recruit, this article gives you a concrete view of opportunities.

In summary: the most sought-after profiles in 2026 are the general accountant, payroll manager, management controller, accounting manager and chartered accounting firm collaborator. The shortage affects both firms and companies, and salaries are rising accordingly.

The finance and accounting sector remains a pillar of the French labor market. According to the most recent data from France Travail (Labor Needs Survey) and Apec (published April 2026), accounting recruitment shows contrasting but overall very promising trends.

Apec anticipates over 300,000 executive recruitments in 2026, including a significant share in accounting and finance functions. Among the promising jobs 2026 identified by Apec, accountant, accounting manager and management controller positions rank highly.

The conclusion is clear: demand far exceeds supply. Chartered accounting firms struggle to fill their open positions, and companies of all sizes are actively seeking operational profiles.

To go further, see Top of the best accountants in 2026, DEC dissertation: Génération Z and the liberal accounting profession and Accounting apprenticeship.

1. General accountant#

The general accountant remains the most in-demand profile in the accounting job market. They handle data entry, bank reconciliations, VAT déclarations and preparation of closing work.

Why this profile recruits so much:

• every company, regardless of size, has daily accounting obligations;
• massive retirements in the profession are widening the candidate déficit;
• electronic invoicing (phased from September 2026) will increase temporary transition workload.

Education level: BTS Accounting and Management, DCG or professional license. Indicative salary: €28,000 to €38,000 gross/year depending on experience and location.

2. Payroll manager#

The payroll manager is one of the most critical profiles in current accounting recruitment. The growing complexity of social obligations, recurring reforms and the rarity of technical skills make this position a real bottleneck.

Key missions:

• preparation of pay slips and social déclarations (DSN);
• management of entries, exits and staff movements;
• social and legal monitoring;
• interface with social organizations (URSSAF, pension funds, mutuals).

Education level: BTS SME Management, professional HR or payroll license. Indicative salary: €30,000 to €42,000 gross/year.

3. Management controller#

The management controller occupies a strategic position in company steering. In 2026, SMEs and mid-caps are investing heavily in this function to better anticipate their cash needs and optimize profitability.

What distinguishes a good management controller:

• the ability to transform raw data into actionable indicators;
• mastery of Business Intelligence tools (Power BI, Tableau);
• a deep understanding of the company's economic model;
• a keen sense of communication to present results to executives.

Education level: Bac+5 (master CCA, DSCG, business school). Indicative salary: €40,000 to €58,000 gross/year.

4. Chartered accounting firm collaborator#

The firm collaborator is at the heart of current accounting recruitment. The Chartered Accounting Jobs Observatory estimates 30,000 positions to fill in the profession, a figure that testifies to the scale of the need.

A firm collaborator's daily life:

• managing and reviewing client portfolios (10 to 40 files depending on firm size);
• preparing annual accounts and tax returns;
• tax and social advice for SME executives;
• support in digitalizing accounting processes.

Education level: DCG in progress or validated, DSCG appreciated. Indicative salary: €32,000 to €50,000 gross/year depending on experience and DEC preparation.

5. Accounting manager#

The accounting manager supervises the entire accounting function of a company. They guarantee the reliability of accounts and compliance with applicable standards.

Why this position is under tension:

• it requires both technical and managerial skills;
• experienced profiles are rare in the market;
• regulatory complexity (IFRS, PCG, tax standards) requires pointed expertise.

Education level: Bac+5 minimum (master CCA, DSCG). Indicative salary: €45,000 to €65,000 gross/year.

6. Accounts payable / receivable accountant#

Auxiliary accounting positions (payable or receivable) are frequent entry points into the profession. They recruit in volume, particularly in large groups and shared service centers.

Expected skills:

• mastery of invoicing and payment processes;
• management of reminders and collection;
• proficiency with ERPs (SAP, Oracle, Cegid);
• rigor and sense of organization.

Education level: Bac to Bac+2. Indicative salary: €24,000 to €32,000 gross/year.

The accountant shortage in 2026 is not a cyclical phenomenon. It results from several structural factors that are accumulating:

• Massive retirements: an entire génération of accountants trained in the 1970s-1980s is leaving the profession, not being replaced in sufficient numbers;
• The profession's image: accounting professions still suffer from an austere image among young people, despite digitalization and the growing advisory dimension;
• Regulatory complexity: accounting and tax obligations are multiplying, requiring increasingly qualified profiles;
• Competition from other sectors: digital and analytical profiles are also courted by tech, data and market finance;
• Ongoing digitalization: electronic invoicing and automation are transforming professions, creating a temporary need for profiles capable of managing the transition.

Hayot Expertise Advice: the professions which recruit the most are not always those which appear the most "modern". The strongest profiles are often those who combine serious accounting foundations, rigor and the ability to work with the tools. Never underestimate the value of a good general accountant in the market.

Faced with competition between candidates, certain skills are becoming real differentiating assets for accounting employment:

• Mastery of the accounting base: no technology replaces deep understanding of accounting mechanisms;
• Ease with digital tools: accounting software (Sage, Cegid, Quadratus), ERPs, dematerialization tools;
• Tax knowledge: the ability to anticipate the tax impacts of management decisions is highly sought after;
• Relational skills: accountants no longer work in silos. They interact with operations, executives, auditors;
• Reliability during closing periods: the ability to handle the pressure of tax and social deadlines is a decisive criterion for recruiters;
• Professional English: more and more French companies operate internationally and seek bilingual accountants.

Tension in the accounting job market is reflected in rising remuneration. Here are the ranges observed in 2026:

These amounts vary depending on geographic location (Paris and Ile-de-France offer salaries 15 to 25% higher) and employer size.

For candidates#

• Invest in continuing education: the DCG, DSCG or complementary certifications (ongoing DCG, software certifications) strengthen your employability;
• Develop your digital skills: mastery of dematerialization and automation tools is a major asset;
• Don't overlook chartered accounting firms: they offer exposure to varied sectors and rapid progression;
• Consider apprenticeship: it's the most effective path to enter the profession with concrete experience.

For employers#

• Broaden your recruitment criteria: a motivated retraining profile can be more effective than a demotivated graduate;
• Invest in internal training: training a competent junior costs less than searching for months for an unfindable senior;
• Care for your value proposition: remote work, flexibility, clear career plan — accountants have choices and compare offers;
• Consider outsourcing: for non-strategic accounting functions, the outsourced CFO or subcontracting to a firm offers a relevant alternative.

Quick link: Structuring your accounting and finance organization

In 2026, the accounting professions that are recruiting the most are those at the intersection of technique, process and management. General accountant, payroll manager, management controller, firm collaborator, accounting manager: each profile meets a specific need of the French economic fabric. The shortage of qualified candidates is an opportunity for retraining professionals as well as for young graduates.

The accounting job market is structurally tense, and this dynamic should continue in the coming years. Companies and firms that know how to attract, train and retain accounting talent will have a decisive compétitive advantage.

(Official sources: France Travail - Labor Needs Survey, Apec - Promising Jobs 2026, Chartered Accounting Jobs Observatory, Order of Chartered Accountants)