Ask the Expert: Stacy Snider, Finance and Accounting

In this edition of ‘Ask the Expert,’ Stacy Snider, Senior Vice President for Addison Group’s Finance and Accounting Direct Hire practices in Austin, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Atlanta shared some of her insights on popular workforce trends and interviewing tips. We spoke with Stacy to hear her thoughts on how open roles are affecting companies and how candidates can stand out in interviews.

What are the most in-demand Finance and Accounting roles that you’re seeing as we go into Q4?

First, we’re seeing a lot of Accounts Payable roles. Although we’re in the age of AI automation, we’re still seeing a demand for roles that work with clerical-level data and data integrity.

Second, we’ve seen a big push for Staff and Senior Accountants in the second half of the year. I think these roles have been revitalized to not only include manual data entry but are now evolving to include data management. Employers are now asking these accountants to be able to manipulate volumes of data, which you would typically see in an analyst role, such as a data or financial analyst. So, we’re seeing the ask for traditional entry-level and senior accountants to have another tool in their tool belt outside of just general accounting, which we historically haven’t seen.

Companies are trying to maximize their ROI by having one person manage accounting and data analytics. Offering a Staff or Senior Accountant the ability to be more on the data analytics and management side is a great opportunity.

Typically, when we’re looking at accounting and finance, accounting is focused on recording the past, while finance is forward-thinking by taking that accounting data and turning it into future business opportunities for leaders to make decisions. Ultimately, it’s allowing these accounting individuals to step outside of that day-to-day mundaneness of their accounting role and adding a new skillset that will help them grow in their career.

How can companies bridge the skills gap they have on their teams?

Accountants are naturally risk-averse, so they typically don’t step outside of their comfort zone. Empowering individuals to step outside of their day-to-day function and acquire a new skillset can be beneficial. Sometimes, employers underutilize the talent they already have. Those who really embrace upskilling and see that their current talent can achieve more beyond their job description are the ones who will be the most successful. If you utilize the person that you already have and provide them with an opportunity to grow, it gives you a higher likelihood of retaining that person. Retaining talent will save you time and money since you won’t have to train a new person.

If companies recognized their existing talent and utilized them to their fullest potential, they could plan more strategically for hiring in 2026. Evaluate the current bandwidth of these employees and identify where you have gaps.

Do you have any notable observations about the current market?

A common question I get is whether we’re in a client or candidate market. I’ve been in the recruiting business for more than a decade, and this is the first time I feel that it’s both clients and candidates driving the market at the same time.

I would recommend to anyone, whether you’re on the market or looking to add talent to your team, that those interactions during the interview process set the tone for whether you get the job or hire that candidate.

I know we’re in the age of automation—and I think it’s a strong tool— but focusing on human interaction will have the strongest effect when hiring. Finding a job, leaving a position, and accepting a new role is a vulnerable experience. I would encourage hiring managers and candidates to be very present and put their best foot forward during the hiring process.

For the latest Finance and Accounting trends and salary data, download Addison Group’s Workforce Planning Guide.

Need to hire finance and accounting talent for your team?

Need qualified finance and accounting candidates to add to your team? Addison Group can help. For more than 20 years, we’ve focused on quality, not quotas. As a leading nationwide staffing and executive search employment agency, we provide qualified finance and accounting talent to help move your business forward. Let’s talk about how we can help fill your open positions.