Navigating Your Finance Career In 2025
The finance and accounting job market is evolving, with longer hiring timelines, a mix of permanent and contract roles, and steady salary growth. This week, our President, Sean Dowling, is breaking down the top in-demand positions, must-have skills, and practical tips for standing out in today’s competitive market.
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This Week’s Featured Jobs: Find your next career move
Advisory Manager (Forensic Accounting) – Boston, MA | $140k-$180k/year
International Tax Director – Boston, MA | $175k-$225k/year
Portfolio Manager – Portsmouth, NH | $175k-$235k/year
Controller – Seabrook, NH | $175k/year
Client Billing Specialist (036) – Boston, MA | Up to $65k/year
Senior Tax Analyst, Global Tax Planning and Reporting – Cambridge, MA | $100k-$140k/year
Senior Tax Analyst / Tax Manager – Burlington, MA | Up to $125k/year
Financial Analyst Senior – Manchester, NH | $105k/year
Finance Manager – Portland, ME | $115k/year
Controller – Manchester, NH | $140k-$145k/year
Director, Internal Audit – Billerica, MA | $160k-$200k/year
Director of FP&A – R&D – Cambridge, MA | $230k/year
Tax Manager – North Andover, MA | $140k-$165k/year
Tax Manager – Newton, MA | $150k-$170k/year
Technical Accounting Manager – Acton, MA | $125k-$145k/year
2025 Finance & Accounting Trends. Insights from KBW President Sean Dowling
The year began with uncertainty in the financial markets, creating ripple effects across the finance and accounting job landscape. Yet in New England, optimism is building, and many companies expect to grow their full-time teams in the second half of 2025. Finance and accounting remain stable career paths, but competition for roles is strong, making it crucial to understand hiring trends, in-demand positions, and sought-after skills.
Hiring & Salary Trends
Longer, More Deliberate Hiring
Companies are prioritizing long-term fit and involving more stakeholders in the hiring process. What used to take 7–21 days now often stretches to 45, especially for senior roles like CFOs and controllers.
Contract Roles Holding Strong
While permanent hiring is rebounding, contract professionals continue to be a key staffing strategy, providing companies with flexibility during market shifts.
Salary Growth Has Leveled
After years of steep increases, salary growth has flattened, though rates remain competitive, especially for high-demand roles.
In-Demand Finance Roles
- FP&A Managers / Senior Financial Analysts: Strategic planners with strong Excel, enterprise systems, and data visualization skills. ($140k–$165k)
- Director of Finance: Leaders driving strategy, compliance, and process improvements through tech adoption. ($140k–$165k)
- Senior Financial Analysts: Data-savvy professionals who translate numbers into strategic insights. ($110k–$130k)
In-Demand Accounting Roles
- Staff Accountants: Early-career professionals ensuring day-to-day accuracy. ($60k–$75k)
- Senior Accountants: Mid-level leaders managing closings, statements, and compliance. ($75k–$110k)
- Controllers: Senior leaders overseeing reporting, controls, and modernization initiatives. ($140k–$185k)
Skills Employers Value Most in 2025
AI is making headlines, but employers still prize human-driven capabilities:
- Data Analysis – Turning raw numbers into actionable insights.
- Communication – Explaining the “why” behind the data.
- Critical Thinking – Identifying causes and proposing solutions.
- Solutions Orientation – Proactively improving processes.
- Technical Expertise – Deep knowledge of GAAP, compliance, and reporting.
Standing Out in a Crowded Job Market
With up to 11,000 applications hitting LinkedIn per minute, the challenge is being noticed. KBW recommends:
- Knowing your strengths and targeting aligned roles.
- Actively engaging on LinkedIn and building meaningful connections.
- Leveraging your network to uncover hidden opportunities.
- Staying proactive, even while employed.
- Partnering with a recruiter for direct access to quality opportunities.
“The longer that interview cycle gets, the higher the chance that talented candidates could sign with a competitor. Having a staffing partner like KBW can ensure you find those qualified candidates sooner.”
-Sean Dowling (President, KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting)
For salary data and market insights, download KBW’s Finance & Accounting in New England Salary Guide.
Stablecoins and Strategy: How CFOs are planning for digital currency
A new Deloitte report reveals that corporate finance leaders are increasingly considering cryptocurrency, especially stablecoins and Bitcoin, as part of their future operations. The Q2 2025 CFO Signals Spotlight, based on a survey of 200 North American CFOs at companies with at least $1 billion in revenue, shows that only 1% of respondents expect not to use cryptocurrency in the long term.
Currently, 23% of CFOs foresee their treasury departments utilizing crypto for investments or payments within the next two years. That number jumps to nearly 40% among finance leaders at companies with over $10 billion in annual revenue. However, adoption is not without concerns.
The top challenges CFOs face regarding crypto use include:
- Price volatility (43%)
- Accounting and control complexities (42%)
- Lack of regulation (40%)
“Crypto is a unique asset, and the accounting treatment for digital assets seems to be a work in progress.”
Steve Gallucci (global and U.S. leader of Deloitte’s CFO Program)
When it comes to stablecoins, which are typically pegged to fiat currencies and backed by reserve assets.
- 45% of CFOs cited enhanced customer privacy as the leading benefit, followed by improved cross-border transaction capabilities
- 15% of companies expect to accept stablecoin payments within two years—a number that rises to 24% for larger organizations.
The regulatory environment is also evolving. President Trump recently signed an executive order creating a national Bitcoin reserve, and the U.S. Senate passed stablecoin legislation in June.
More than 160 companies worldwide currently hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets, including U.S. firms like GameStop, Block, Tesla, and Trump Media & Technology Group. While experts remain divided on the risks, over half of the surveyed CFOs see potential for using non-stable crypto in areas like supply chain tracking.
With more than a third of CFOs already in active conversations with their boards about digital currency strategies, it’s clear that crypto’s role in corporate finance is gaining serious momentum.
Struggling to find a new job, or a new employee? Reach out & we can certainly help!
