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Automation Reshapes Employment Structure in Finance – Salary Trends and Insights

CAREERSAutomation Reshapes Employment Structure in Finance – Salary Trends and Insights

Automation and digitization of processes are changing the employment structure in finance departments, reducing the demand for employees performing simple, repetitive tasks. At the same time, the sector rewards specialists whose skills remain crucial for business operations. In 2024, the highest salary increases were received by accountants and auditors, according to the latest Grafton Recruitment report “Salaries and Trends in Enterprises.”

Demand for Strategic Roles

Although the demand for employees in finance and accounting departments was lower than the overall market rate in 2024, the demand for specialists remained stable. Companies primarily sought experienced experts and managers to strengthen teams and improve key processes. The most job offers were for positions such as finance manager, chief and independent accountants, and financial controllers. A decrease in demand was seen for positions that do not require experience, which is a result of technological transformation and process optimization.

– “Changes in the dynamics of demand for employees in finance departments are a result of automation and digitization of processes – tasks that once required large teams are now being carried out by much smaller groups. The profile of desired competencies is also changing – specialists who can operate systems, analyze data, and make decisions based on that data are in demand,” explains Dagmara Jaworecka, Regional Division Manager at Grafton Recruitment.

Salary Dynamics in 2024 – The Highest Salary Increases for Accountants and Auditors

The salary analysis shows a variation in pay depending on the region and job type. In finance, the highest salaries are earned by CFOs in Warsaw – ranging from PLN 35,000 to PLN 60,000. In other major cities like Kraków or Trójmiasto, board members earn between PLN 30,000 and PLN 56,000, placing these cities at the top of the list. Chief accountants in Kraków can expect salaries between PLN 12,000 and PLN 22,000, making this city a competitive job market for this group. In Warsaw, chief accountants earn between PLN 20,000 and PLN 25,000. Meanwhile, financial analysts in the capital earn between PLN 11,000 and PLN 15,000, which are among the highest rates in Poland for this category of positions.

The dynamics of salary changes in 2024 in finance departments reflect the needs of the sector. Salary increases are also influenced by the constant need to improve qualifications, mainly due to legislative changes.

According to the Grafton Recruitment report “Salaries and Trends in Enterprises,” the most notable salary increases in 2024 were received by accountants (9.8%) and internal auditors (9.3%), highlighting their crucial role in the financial structures of businesses. Chief accountants also saw significant pay increases of 8.8%. Moderate increases were recorded for business analysts and independent accountants, at 5.5% and 6.2%, respectively. Meanwhile, debt collection specialists and controlling managers received raises of 5.2%. The smallest salary changes were seen in managerial and senior positions – the salaries of CFOs increased by only 2.7%, and board members (CFOs) by 3.8%.

– “The salary increases in the financial sector reflect the growing value of roles requiring specialized knowledge and precise competencies. The largest increases, noticeable among accountants and internal auditors, are the result of companies placing greater emphasis on maintaining financial security and regulatory compliance,” comments Ewa Michalska, Operations Director at Grafton Recruitment.

Although wages in the financial sector are rising, candidates are selective when deciding to change jobs. They usually make the decision when there is an opportunity to take on a higher position, receive a higher salary, or expand their responsibilities. Increasingly, they also prioritize work-life balance and non-salary benefits such as company cars, fuel cards, and premium medical care.

About the Report

The Grafton Recruitment report was developed based on a wide range of market data and in-house analysis. The data relates to salaries for 2024 and forecasts for early 2025, collected from actual job offers presented to candidates by Grafton Recruitment clients and salaries from recruitment processes. The analysis covered 499,791 unique job ads, which were deduplicated for accuracy. Additionally, data from one of the largest job portals in Poland covering 2019–2024 was used. The report is the result of a comprehensive study that accurately mirrors the actual situation on the labor market.

Source: ManagerPlus

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