Everywhere you look, you hear the finance world is undergoing a quiet revolution. Spreadsheets and traditional reporting are no longer enough; today’s finance teams are expected to be strategic partners, powered by real-time data, predictive insights, and smart automation. And as AI, machine learning, and business intelligence tools transform the industry, a new kind of finance professional is emerging – one who’s as data-driven as they are fluent payables and receivables.
So, the real question for employers in 2025 is this: Are you hiring for the future of finance, or for the past?
What is a data-driven finance role?
Data-driven finance professionals go beyond transactional tasks. They use tools and technology to interpret large volumes of data to guide business decisions, build dashboards and visualise trends in real-time, forecast future performance using predictive analytics, identify risks and opportunities faster than ever before, or collaborate with teams like IT, marketing, and operations to shape strategy.
These roles span across FP&A, commercial finance, business partnering, and financial analysis. But the core skillset is being technically fluent, having high business acumen, and, of course, a sharp analytical mind.
Why demand Is growing
The rise of cloud accounting, ERP systems, and AI tools means data is everywhere now, but insight doesn’t automatically come with it. Businesses now recognise that they need finance professionals who can bridge the gap between the numbers and the actionable changes that can get you to the next step.
We’re seeing more employers seek candidates who are proficient in:
- Power BI, Tableau, SQL
- Python, R, or other coding languages for finance
- Advanced Excel modelling
- Data governance and transformation
- Communicating complex data simply and effectively
In other words: people who don’t just crunch numbers but also tell the story behind them.
What candidates want
Finance professionals with strong data skills are in high demand and they know it. The top candidates are selective, which is why standing out as an employer is more important than ever. These top candidates in the market are looking for:
- Roles where data is valued at a strategic level, and they know their unique skills will make a difference.
- Opportunities to learn and work with modern tools and continue developing their skillset.
- Businesses that invest in digital transformation
- Environments where finance isn’t isolated from other departments, but integrated across the organisation
If you’re serious about hiring this kind of talent, it’s not just about listing tech tools in a job spec, it’s about creating the right environment for these candidates to grow as individuals and as a part of a team.
How we’re adapting our recruitment approach
At iMultiply we’ve been ahead of the curve when it comes to data, and we’re already adapting how we recruit for this next wave of finance roles. (Here’s an in-depth look into data in recruitment)
We ask different questions.
We screen candidates for data proficiency, but also for their ability to use insight to drive action not just report.
We’re building talent pools of data-literate finance professionals.
We actively engage with candidates who blend their finance qualifications with analytics training, BI skills, or a tech-forward mindset.
We help clients shape attractive roles.
From advising on job titles and tools to recommending salary benchmarks for hybrid data-finance roles, we work consultatively to ensure our customers are positioned to attract the top talent.
We partner with forward-thinking businesses.
We’re proud to work with businesses that are investing in finance transformation, and we help them find the people to lead it.
We help people begin their journeys
With our sister business, FIN (Finance Innovation Now), we empower professionals and businesses to learn about the newest use of technology in finance and guide them as they implement them into their careers and teams.
The future of finance Is here
The shift toward data-driven finance isn’t coming, it’s already happening. Businesses that fail to hire with this in mind risk falling behind, both operationally and competitively. So if you’re looking to future-proof your finance team with the right people, right now, we’d love to help.
We understand where the market is heading. More importantly, we’re already hiring for it.
