Accountants want jobs that make a difference

Not all heroes wear capes…and accountants want to be part of the non-cape-wearing faction.

The majority of North American accountants and finance professionals want to find future jobs focused on environmental goals (59%) or social impact (63%), though half or fewer feel they’re currently contributing to those issues, according to a recent survey on talent trends around the world from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

The ACCA polled over 11,000 accountancy and finance professionals from 160 countries from October 2025 to February 2026.

Two fifths (42%) of North American respondents said their finance role currently contributes to their organization’s efforts on environmental and climate change issues, while 50% said their role helps with social impact issues.

Employers would be well-served to increase those stats, considering the high level of interest: 70% of accountants and finance professionals in North America ranked a company’s reputation on social and human rights issues as a key factor in choosing a potential employer.

“With half (50%) agreeing that social impact is an area they currently contribute toward—it raises the question of whether organizations could showcase their credentials more,” the survey’s authors wrote.

They might also want to pay attention to the risk of talent flight. Nearly half (46%) of North American respondents expected their next career move to be outside their organization, according to the survey. In a slight improvement from last year, though, fewer (38% compared with 44% in 2025) planned to take that step in the next 12 months.

“The message from our 2026 data is loud and clear: Finance professionals want their work to make a difference,” Jamie Lyon, global head of skills, sectors and technology at ACCA, wrote in a report tied to the survey. “Accountancy and finance is increasingly seen as a platform to contribute toward improving social and environmental impacts, while expanding career aspirations.”