Finance careers are changing, but double-entry bookkeeping is here to stay
Middlesex University and Accounting Cafe hosted an event bringing together educators and industry representatives to explore the evolving landscape of accounting and finance education.
In an era of rapid technological change, what skills will tomorrow’s finance professionals need? How can educators prepare students for careers that may look dramatically different from those of today? These questions formed the foundation of a recent online forum hosted by Middlesex University, bringing together educators and industry representatives to explore the evolving landscape of accounting and finance education.
The changing face of finance
“We’re witnessing a fast-changing environment for the finance industry,” explained Alison Broughton, Director of Accounting and Finance Programmes at Middlesex University. She highlighted how sustainability reporting, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and structural shifts in the broader job market are having “a dramatic, maybe revolutionary impact on career pathways and the expected skills required of finance professionals.”
This sentiment was echoed by Judith Wilson, University Engagement Manager at the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS), who reassured participants that while the field is transforming accountancy and other finance jobs are unlikely to disappear any time soon. What is changing, however, is employers’ increasing focus on candidates’ communication abilities. Despite technological advances, Wilson emphasised that accounting still fundamentally requires “engagement with humans.”
Balancing technical knowledge with higher skills
A consensus emerged among participants: while AI may transform day-to-day tasks, core financial literacy remains essential. “A student cannot think critically, evaluate the output from AI and ask pertinent questions without domain-specific expertise,” cautioned Toby York, Senior Lecturer at Middlesex University and founder of Accounting Cafe. “So, yes, careers are changing, but financial literacy and accounting knowledge will remain at the core of these subjects.”
Nick Wilson, Business Development Manager at the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), noted that with “AI doing a lot of the legwork, resilience and communication skills are increasingly valuable.” Wilson identified three key attributes required of future finance professionals: trust, resilience, and confidence.
Meeting educational challenges
The discussion acknowledged the challenges teachers face delivering A Level and BTEC Business subjects, particularly the surprisingly sophisticated finance units that often overlap with undergraduate accounting courses.
Colin Leith, Educational Advisor at Pearson, shared that newer qualifications are already addressing these shifting demands. For example, The T-Level in Accounting assesses students on technical and non-technical topics, including communication skills.
To support educators navigating these changes, Jo Abdul-Rahim, Department Head of Accounting, Finance & Economics, invited teachers to use this forum as an ongoing platform to support each other and explore ways universities and schools can help students transition to university or prepare for the workplace.
Resources for educators
During the session, York highlighted teaching materials available free of charge to teachers on the Accounting Cafe website. These resources, developed in partnership with Colin Leith, align closely with BTEC and Edexcel specifications but are equally relevant to other awarding bodies’ qualifications.
Teachers can access these resources by joining Accounting Cafe.
Moving forward together
As the finance industry continues to evolve, collaboration between educational institutions and industry bodies will be crucial in preparing students for future careers. This forum represented a step in strengthening those connections and ensuring that education remains responsive to industry needs.
We invite all participants—and those who registered but couldn’t attend—to continue this conversation and share their experiences and best practices. Together, we can navigate the changing landscape of finance education and equip students with the diverse skills they’ll need to thrive.
Contact Middlesex University if you would like an event for your students, an in-school activity or wish to attend their open days or teacher conference.
How to cite this article: York, T. (2025) ‘Finance careers are changing, but double-entry bookkeeping is here to stay’, Accounting Cafe. Available at: https://accountingcafe.org/2025/04/17/finance-careers-are-changing. Retrieved: [insert date].
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