By Christian Furness, published 23 January 2026
At Sheridan Maine, we continue to see UK accounting, audit and tax professionals operating in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Making Tax Digital remains a major concern for firms and in-house finance teams alike, with many businesses still struggling to adapt to digital record-keeping and reporting requirements. Alongside this, increased scrutiny around audit quality, financial reporting standards and anti-money laundering compliance is adding to the operational burden. For employers, the priority must be investing in strong governance frameworks and ensuring teams are properly supported to meet regulatory expectations.
The ongoing shortage of qualified accounting and audit professionals remains one of the most pressing issues in the UK market. We speak with firms that are finding it difficult to recruit and retain experienced staff, particularly in audit, tax and technical accounting roles. Rising workloads, combined with long hours and limited capacity, are contributing to burnout and higher staff turnover. Employers that focus on flexible working, clear progression routes and long-term career development are far better positioned to attract and retain top accounting talent.
Technology continues to reshape the profession, offering both opportunities and challenges. Automation and AI are helping firms improve efficiency and manage growing volumes of data, but adoption is uneven across the market. Many organisations are still developing policies around data security, governance and the appropriate use of AI in audit and tax work. From our perspective, successful firms are those that invest not only in new systems, but also in upskilling their people and embedding technology in a controlled, well-governed way.
Client expectations are also evolving, placing further pressure on accounting and audit teams. Many SMEs still underestimate the complexity of compliance, while demand for broader advisory support continues to grow. At the same time, audit firms face ongoing reputational and fee pressures. We believe the firms that will succeed are those that clearly communicate their value, educate clients proactively and position themselves as trusted advisers. In a challenging market, strong leadership, investment in people and a clear strategic focus will remain essential for sustainable growth.
