The demand for skilled accounting and finance professionals is projected to rise in 2025, primarily due to the increasing number of Chinese companies setting up regional hubs in Hong Kong as part of their expansion plans into Southeast Asia.
For many Chinese fast fashion, retail, food and beverage companies, Hong Kong is emerging as a key Southeast Asian market. These exciting expansions create new business opportunities as well as an increasing demand for finance and investment talent.
talent movement and in-demand skills in accounting and finance
We expect the high demand for junior to middle-level accounting professionals to remain strong in 2025, as companies continue to hire talented workers to maintain their base operations.
When hiring, most employers are focussed on talent with technical skills and expertise who can meet their business needs to manage their hiring budgets effectively. As a result, there will be competition for finance professionals who can use data to make informed decisions and communicate financial information, as these are the skills and characteristics employers seek in talent.
Job seekers who are able to keep up with technological advancements like using artificial intelligence to draw insights and apply critical thinking and communicate them effectively to stakeholders will be at an advantage too.
Some of the most in-demand skills when hiring accounting and finance professionals are:
- Experienced in using data visualisation tools like Power BI and Tableau
- Strong analytical skills
- Language proficiency in Cantonese, English and Mandarin
- Stakeholder management
- Conflict management
- Strong communications skills
It is common for accounting professionals with in-demand skills to receive multiple job offers. To successfully attract top talent, employers will need to offer competitive salaries, employee benefits, and flexible work arrangements. Additionally, employers must streamline their recruitment processes and make quick hiring decisions.
In 2025, many accounting & finance job seekers will likely continue to be cautious about changing jobs, prioritising job security over other factors. According to the 2024 Employer Brand Research, job security is the 4th most important EVP Hongkongers look for in an ideal employer and 23% of respondents resigned due to concerns about their company's financial stability.
As companies adapt to changing labour market dynamics and consumer behaviours, the demand for skilled finance professionals will evolve. To successfully navigate talent shortages, organisations should focus on creating appealing work environments that emphasise stability, flexibility, and opportunities for career progression and professional development.
download randstad hong kong’s 2025 job market and salary trends report
Our 2024 Job Market and Salary Trends report cuts through the complexity to deliver actionable insights and expert analyses from our business leaders in Hong Kong.
The report examines key talent expectations as well as current industry trends and salary benchmarks in the following industries:
- Accounting and finance
- Banking and financial services
- Business support
- Construction, property and engineering
- Human resources
- Insurance
- Legal
- Life sciences and healthcare
- Luxury and retail
- Supply chain and logistics
- Sales and marketing
- Technology
In our report, you can find the salary range to more than 50 accounting and finance jobs, ranging from financial analysts to auditors; finance transformation to investor relations. Download the report to find out whether your company is offering a competitive salary.
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