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Accountants Must Embrace "Hyper-Personalised" Careers to Thrive by 2035

A new ACCA report states the accountancy profession is undergoing a major transformation driven by technology, climate change, and societal shifts. Traditional linear career paths are being replaced by flexible, individualised journeys requiring continuous learning. While AI will automate repetitive tasks, it will free professionals for higher-value strategic and creative work. The future points toward hyper-personalised careers where work-life balance and development often outweigh traditional promotions.

Key Points: Future of Accountancy: Hyper-Personalised Careers & AI

  • Linear career ladders are obsolete
  • AI enhances but doesn't replace human work
  • Professionals must prepare for shorter-term horizons
  • Hyper-personalisation prioritises work-life balance
2 min read

Accountancy and finance professionals urged to embrace "Hyper-Personalised" careers as workplace evolves: Report

ACCA report says AI and new priorities are reshaping finance careers. Professionals must embrace flexible, continuous learning paths to succeed.

"traditional career paths are giving way to more flexible, individualised routes - Helen Brand, ACCA"

New Delhi, January 23

The traditional, linear ladder of the accountancy profession is being replaced by more fluid and individualised journeys, according to a new report by ACCA.

The study, titled Career Paths Reimagined: The Changing World of Work, reveals that the profession is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technological advances, climate change, and shifting societal expectations. Experts suggest that as we look towards 2035, the "only certainty of predictions is uncertainty," meaning professionals must now prepare for shorter-term career horizons and continuous learning to remain relevant.

The report identifies eight key drivers of change that are reshaping how and why people work, ranging from the impact of artificial intelligence to new personal motivations. Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA, notes in the report that "traditional career paths are giving way to more flexible, individualised routes". This shift means that accountants may hold multiple, varied roles throughout their lives, making "standing still" no longer an option for those who wish to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.

Technology, particularly AI and automation, is a central force in this evolution, though the report offers a positive outlook for human workers. It clarifies that "machines enhance human work--they do not replace it," noting that while automation will manage repetitive tasks, it will also enable professionals to focus on higher-value strategic and creative work. As one roundtable participant from the UK observed, "AI may run the number-crunching side of the business--but I still think that the interpretation and explanation are still very much down to the professional."

The research also highlights a growing trend toward "hyper-personalised" careers, where individuals prioritise lifestyle and work-life balance over traditional promotions. Younger generations, such as Gen Z, are increasingly focused on learning and development rather than simply "climbing the corporate ladder". The report concludes that while the future of work may be less certain than in the past, "the opportunities to grow and thrive have never been greater for those prepared to embrace change."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Finally, someone is talking about work-life balance in finance! 🎯 In India, the grind culture in audit firms is brutal. If the future is about "hyper-personalised" paths that value our time and well-being, I'm all for it. Hope Indian companies take note.
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Vikram M
The report is optimistic about AI, but I'm a bit skeptical. In smaller Indian firms, the focus is still on cost-cutting. Will there be enough investment to "enhance human work" or will it just lead to job consolidation? Continuous learning sounds good, but who pays for it?
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Sarah B
Working with global teams from Delhi, I see this shift firsthand. The value is in strategic insight, not just compliance. The professional who can explain the "why" behind the numbers will always be in demand. Exciting times, but it requires a mindset change.
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Rohit P
My father was an accountant for 35 years in the same company. That stability is gone. For my generation, it's about upskilling every 2-3 years. Good point about climate change driving change too – ESG reporting is becoming a huge new vertical.
K
Kavya N
As a working mother in finance, a flexible, individualised route is not just a preference, it's a necessity. The profession needs to accommodate diverse life stages. Glad to see this being discussed at a global forum like ACCA. Hope it trickles down to ground reality soon!

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