2025: The Year for Advisory Accountants to Thrive

In recent years, Accountants have proven essential in supporting businesses and the broader economy. Towards the end of last year, and continuing into this year, businesses increasingly seek more than compliance services from their accountants; they’re turning to them for holistic business advisory solutions to navigate a rapidly evolving economic landscape.

The growing complexity of tax and accounting regulations has only heightened the need for skilled advisors. Many Partners and Directors of Accounting firms, whom I have spoken to this year, recognise the need to fulfil compliance obligations. Additionally, they need to find Accountants who can maintain strong client relationships and ‘think outside the box’ for their clients. More and more firms are leveraging offshore capabilities and AI to streamline repetitive compliance tasks, allowing more opportunities for Accountants to focus on advisory and strategic consulting. Accountants who have advisory capabilities are extremely employable in this market.

The push toward advisory services requires more than just technical expertise. In addition to technical expertise, the key to becoming a better advisor lies in a combination of continuous learning, relationship-building, and the ability to think strategically about your clients’ businesses.

How to build expertise within Advisory?

• • Develop Industry Expertise and Broaden Skillset: Stay informed about market trends, regulations, and emerging technologies. Gain exposure to cross-functional areas like marketing, operations, and HR to offer well-rounded, business-wide advice. 
  • Understand the Role of Technology: Be familiar with different technology systems, data analytics, and AI, in driving business growth. Being proficient in these tools allows you to offer forward-thinking advice.
  • Commit to Continuous Learning: Take advanced courses, and join industry groups to stay updated and develop new advisory skills.
  • Get Mentorship and Develop Soft Skills: Learn from experienced mentors who have a track record of successful advisory work. Observing their client interactions and decision-making will improve your own skills. 

What’s next in 2025?

Accounting firms who are embracing technology, prioritising advisory services, and fostering skill development; are modernising the Accounting landscape and securing the current top talent in the market. If you, as an Accountant, put key plans in place to build up your expertise in advisory, you will be extremely employable in 2025 and beyond.

As the industry evolves and Accountants develop new advisory skills, this will, in my opinion, only improve the brand image of the Accounting sector with more people wanting to get into the profession. As it looks more appealing than just completing financials and tax returns. In 2025, I am already seeing an upturn of Accountants in the Commercial industry open to a conversation about returning to Professional Services.

As Professional Services Accounting becomes more sought after with advisory opportunities, now is the perfect time to discuss the market and explore opportunities with firms who are progressive and forward-thinking.

If you want more information about the job market and employment trends, then please reach out to Lee Eggleston on 0472510481 or lee@lawsondelaney.com.au.