GlobeNewswire · 14 Sep, 11:58 · Finance briefing

Sixthfin UK Financial Close Automation Research Finds

Research published by Sixthfin UK highlights the growing adoption of automation technologies within financial close processes across the United Kingdom.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

28%average pay gap between certified and uncertified finance staff

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83%of finance leaders rank upskilling a top-3 priority

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Research published by Sixthfin UK highlights the growing adoption of automation technologies within financial close processes across the United Kingdom. The study examines how organisations are leveraging software to streamline month-end and year-end reporting, reducing manual intervention and accelerating cycle times. This report provides data-driven insights into current industry standards, identifying key trends in efficiency gains and error reduction. For finance professionals, these findings underscore a significant shift towards automated workflows, suggesting that traditional manual accounting methods are increasingly being replaced by sophisticated digital solutions in the corporate sector.

Employer demand for Finance and Accounting skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must adapt your skill set immediately to remain relevant in this evolving landscape. Manual data entry roles are shrinking, while expertise in process automation and financial technology is surging in value. Professionals who understand both accounting principles and the technical implementation of close automation tools will command higher salaries and greater job security. You should prioritise learning how to configure, audit, and optimise these automated systems rather than just performing the underlying calculations. Engage with your organisation’s finance technology team to understand their stack. Consider upskilling in robotic process automation or specific financial software certifications. Demonstrating competence in bridging the gap between finance and IT will position you as a strategic asset, capable of driving efficiency and reducing operational risk within your department.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Finance and Accounting, AI in Accounting, Financial Modeling and Risk Management Strategies — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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