Alliance Resources

News, information and insights from your partner in finance and accounting recruitment.

Salary Guide: Top Takeaways for Career Success in 2025

As we release our 2025 Financial Salary Guide and Employment Outlook, we are struck by the resilience and adaptability our industry has shown over the past 12 months. The cautious optimism we felt at the close of last year has, in many ways, been justified—and carried over.

Despite predictions of a recession that never materialized, 2024 is exceeding expectations for many of the leaders in our network. Hiring trends remain strong, and the majority of our clients have reported a year of unexpected stability.

This positive momentum seems set to continue, with most of our partners projecting 2025 as a year of growth and opportunity. While new jobs have slowed down in recent months and unemployment ticked up slightly, inflation is declining, and the September interest rate reduction was larger than anticipated. Most expect Q4 2024 to see a continued slowdown, though nothing dramatic.

Looking ahead, respected economic forecasts, including those from ITR Economics, suggest that 2025 could be one of the strongest years in recent history. However, our optimism remains tempered with caution. We’re navigating a landscape filled with variables:

  • Geopolitical uncertainties, including our own U.S. elections
  • Persistent inflation
  • Recent, higher-than-expected interest rate reductions
  • Technological disruptions, from global outages to the rapid advancement of AI
  • Recent economic indicators, such as August’s lower-than-expected jobs report and stock market volatility

These factors remind us of the importance of staying vigilant and adaptable. Our annual salary guide offers tools and resources to help Finance and Accounting professionals navigate the year ahead.

GET THE SALARY GUIDE

How to Get Ready for 2025
1. Prepare for a Stabilizing Labor Market

We have observed a noticeable shift toward a more balanced Southern California Finance and Accounting employment market. The frantic rush to secure talent that characterized previous years has begun to ease. Employers are demonstrating more patience and selectivity in their hiring processes, indicating a maturing of the post-pandemic labor market in our sector.

This means the competition for open positions will become fierce. If you are looking for a new opportunity, you must bring your A game to every interview, update your LinkedIn profile, and expand your professional network. You also need to work with a professional recruiter specializing in Accounting and Finance who can help position you as one of the best and the brightest in our sector.

2. Upskill for the Digital Future

The rapid advancement of technology has created a pressing need for upskilling and reskilling initiatives. As artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics become increasingly integrated into financial processes, professionals must adapt their skill sets to remain relevant.

Key areas of focus include:

  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Proficiency in AI-driven financial tools that automate routine work, freeing up talent for more strategic initiatives
  • Cybersecurity awareness
  • Strategic thinking and decision-making in a tech-enabled environment

Ask your employer for skills development opportunities, keep current with new software platforms, and consider joining professional groups that focus on AI in Accounting and Finance.

3. Keep Current with Cyber Security and Data Privacy

Cybersecurity and data privacy have become critical concerns. The industry is closely monitoring the evolution in this area, and so should you:

Cyber Risk Management: Accounting and Finance professionals are increasingly involved in assessing and managing cyber risks, working closely with IT departments to protect sensitive financial information.

Data Privacy Compliance: Ensuring compliance with various data privacy regulations has become a key responsibility for Accounting and Finance teams, often requiring collaboration with legal and IT departments.

Secure Financial Systems: The development and implementation of secure financial systems and processes is now a top priority for organizations of all sizes.

Actively participate in these cross-functional conversations to elevate your leadership visibility within your organization.

4. Co-Create a Hiring Culture in Your Company

In today’s stabilizing (yet competitive) talent market, successful organizations are moving beyond traditional recruitment methods to create a hiring culture. This approach provides you with multiple opportunities to help bring new and known talent to the organization:

  • Become a talent scout and mine your professional network
  • Refer people you have worked with and can vouch for
  • Be a brand ambassador for your organization and share hiring announcements in your networks and social platforms

Supporting a hiring culture can help attract a wider talent pool and create a more engaged workforce that drives organizational growth.

Get your copy of the 2025 Alliance Resource Group Financial Salary Guide and Employment Outlook and learn how to advocate for professional growth, negotiate better pay, advance your career, and find new opportunities.

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