Issue Technology becomes the default answer to a shrinking finance talent pool

Summary

Deloitte observes that striking the right mix of technology and people is a leading concern in many finance departments. As talent becomes scarce, technology is increasingly seen as a possible substitute. The pool is narrowing, with CPA exam candidates down 27% in a decade and three-quarters of accountants within 15 years of retirement. Accordingly, the most common response to hiring and retention pressure is using AI and automation to close productivity gaps, cited by 40%. The CFO Signals survey likewise shows many finance chiefs expecting to use generative AI within 24 months to bridge skills gaps. Whether technology can fully fill that gap remains the open question underlying the talent trend.