Today, the Polish financial sector is entering a stage that cannot be clearly defined as an employee's market or an employer's market. Global organizations that a decade ago transferred routine, repeatable processes to Poland are increasingly investing in teams responsible for analytics, control and regulatory functions. From a country supporting simple operations, we have become a place where expert competences are developed and projects with large scale of responsibility are carried out.
As a result, the profile of specialists in greatest demand has also changed. Today, companies expect not only solid financial foundations, but also orientation in regulations, understanding of risk and freedom to work with data. The increasing complexity of processes means that people who can combine technical competences with business interpretation skills have an advantage.
— Knowing Excel is just the basics today. Competencies are expected from specialists, including proficiency in BI tools, ERP systems and process automation. It is these skills that determine both the effectiveness of operations and competitive advantage on the labor market – emphasizes Michał Kłak, director at Michael Page.
Changing the candidate's profile makes… the market begins to develop in two ways. In narrow, specialized roles – especially at the intersection of regulation, risk and data analysis – candidates are more likely to call the shots. At the same time, in areas with more repetitive tasks, employers have greater freedom of choice, because there are many more applications than offers corresponding to competence niches.
Recruiters are drowning in CVs, but suitable candidates are still missing
Although companies receive more CVs today than in previous years, only a small fraction of candidates meet the requirements of advanced finance roles. According to Michael Page, the percentage of people who meet all the criteria is within the range 5-10 percent — this is one of the weakest results in the professional services sectors.
Interestingly, the number of applications for director positions is increasing, but the greatest difficulties concern a completely different group: experienced specialists and middle-level managers. They are responsible for the operational maintenance of financial and control processes. As a result, companies compete for people who can independently run projects, understand systems and are able to take responsibility for key areas.
— Automation eliminates some tasks, while new roles appear on the market requiring competencies that no one was talking about until recently – adds Michał Kłak.
Read also: The number of scarce professions is decreasing, but there is still a shortage of specialists
Wage Directive 2026. The position must be consistent with the scope of responsibilities
In recent years, many companies have tried to organize their finance structure, but the effect turned out to be counterproductive. In order to make advertisements more attractive, one name has been used for roles that in practice differ in terms of scope of responsibility, required experience and level of decision-making. “Financial controller” can therefore mean both a person taking the first steps in analysis and an expert coordinating the work of the entire team.
This is why the wage gap in this group is extreme today – from 10 to even 28 thousand PLN gross. There are several career paths under a common label, and the market does not have uniform standards that would distinguish one role from another.
In 2026, this practice will have to change. The entry into force of the EU directive on pay transparency will force companies to have transparent job gradations, clear pay scales and greater responsibility for pay differences.
This is the biggest change in the area of remuneration in finance in years – and the beginning of organizing the market, which for a long time operated based on imprecise nomenclature.
Read also: Minimum wage 2026 with the lowest increase in years. This means for companies
Jobs in finance in 2026. The most wanted positions
Experts emphasize that although automation takes over more and more routine tasks, does not translate into less demand for people. However, it changes the profile of roles that are crucial today. The greatest shortages concern positions combining operational responsibility with the ability to interpret data and conduct processes: independent accountants, financial controllers, chief accountants and financial managers. This translates into the amount of remuneration:
Average salary for the most scarce positions in the financial industry
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Zuzanna Staszewska-Jedynasty / Own work/AI
Michael Page experts emphasize that these are the positions that are most difficult to fill – not because there is a lack of candidates, but because there is a lack of candidates ready to work in more complex, automated environments. Companies are looking for people who not only know the tools, but can manage risk and communicate with the business. These are still skills in short supply on the Polish labor market.
Candidate expectations are also changing. They increasingly focus on well-being and flexible working models. At rates above PLN 15,000. PLN gross often prefer B2B. Companies that maintain the old work rhythm based on constant pressure today have the greatest problem with recruiting specialists.
