Poland’s job market for financial professionals is no longer associated with simple outsourcing. It is increasingly defined by advanced expert structures — which means employers now expect candidates to bring broad, cross-functional experience and skills. In niche roles, candidates can still set the terms, but in most areas of the financial sector employers enjoy a wide choice thanks to a high volume of applications.
The financial job market has evolved and matured. Poland is no longer chosen solely as a low-cost location for simple processes. Instead, an increasing number of international institutions — including banks and shared-service centers — have been establishing advanced financial operations in the country due to access to high-quality specialist talent. The highest value is placed on experts able to navigate complex regulatory environments, manage risk effectively, and build competitive advantage through data analytics.
“Knowing Excel is now just the baseline for finance positions. Employers expect much broader competencies — proficiency in BI tools, ERP systems and process automation. These skills determine efficiency and competitive edge,” says Michał Kłak, Director at Michael Page. “That’s why it’s hard to talk about a uniform employee or employer market. Experienced financial controllers or senior accounting leaders, such as chief accountants, can choose from many offers. Meanwhile, in specialist or director-level roles, employers can be selective because they receive hundreds of applications.”
Pay Transparency Directive Will Reshape Job Titles and Salary Structures
From 2026, the EU Pay Transparency Directive will take effect in Poland, significantly impacting the finance job market. Employers will need to report pay gaps and make salary structures more transparent, forcing companies to review and standardize compensation policies.
According to Michael Page experts, many companies have already begun renaming finance roles to make positions sound more attractive. This flattening of job titles means that roles such as Junior Financial Analyst, Financial Analyst, Senior Analyst, Junior Controller and Financial Controller are often labelled simply as “financial controllers,” even though their responsibilities differ significantly. As a result, salary ranges for positions with the same title vary widely — from 10,000 PLN to even 25,000 PLN per month.
Most In-Demand Competencies and Roles in Finance
Trends observed over the past 2–3 years continue, although new dynamics are emerging. The number of applications is consistently rising, yet only 5–10% of candidates fully meet the requirements. The market is also seeing more applications for director-level roles, driven by either ambition or the desire for change. At the same time, it is becoming harder to find experienced specialists and mid-level managers, leading to longer recruitment processes and intensifying competition for seasoned financial experts.
“Automation eliminates certain tasks, but new roles are emerging that require skills nobody talked about just a few years ago. Meanwhile, for positions paying 15,000 PLN gross or more, candidates increasingly ask about B2B contract options,” says Kłak. “Work culture in finance is also changing. Overtime, once a daily norm, is now far less acceptable. Candidates expect real work-life balance. Flexibility and hybrid work options are becoming key factors in evaluating job offers.”
The most in-demand roles today include:
- Chief Accountant – average salary around 25,000 PLN gross
- Finance Manager – approx. 28,000 PLN gross
- Financial Controller – around 17,000 PLN gross
- Independent Accountant – around 14,000 PLN gross
