Generational office divide challenges finance talent development, ACCA finds

A global financial sector survey by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has found generational differences in workplace patterns, raising concerns over their impact on financial services talent development.

The findings form part of the ACCA’s ‘Global talent trends 2026’ study, which surveyed more than 900 professionals across the worldwide banking and financial services industry.

The research examined views on working arrangements, cross-generational collaboration, career aspirations, AI, sustainability and social impact.

The report showed that more than half (52%) of Generation Z respondents work entirely from the office, compared with 33% of Generation X and 14% of Baby Boomers.

Physical workplace attendance is widely viewed as advantageous for career advancement, with 55% of respondents indicating that on-site presence positively influences promotion prospects.

In addition, 61% of sector employees favour employer mandates requiring staff to be in the office for a designated number of days.

The research also highlighted apprehension regarding automated recruitment.

Unease over the application of AI algorithms in recruitment processes was reported by 55% of respondents, an outlook also shared by 56% of board-level executives.

Demand for purpose-led positions remains notable. Some 59% of respondents want future finance jobs to address environmental and climate issues, while 64% target positions that deliver positive social contributions.

Shifting demographics are also projected to influence the workforce.

Participants identified greater appreciation for the contributions of older personnel as the most pressing diversity issue.

Remuneration concerns represent another major factor, with ongoing cost-of-living pressures affecting employee expectations and leaving 54% dissatisfied with their present compensation.

Regarding automation, 52% of respondents remain apprehensive about the prospect of AI affecting their employment, despite 81% expressing confidence in their capacity to acquire AI-related competencies.

Additionally, around 57% of participants reported that job-related pressures negatively impact their mental health.

ACCA Skills, Sector and Technology head Jamie Lyon said: “Time spent with older and often more experienced colleagues in the workplace is an important part of gaining useful real-world experience in the workplace for younger employees, and it is helpful for driving more effective cross-generational collaboration at work.

“This mismatch also carries possible implications for future skills development and workplace culture assimilation.

“Financial services employers need to carefully consider how best to ensure a balanced approach to office presence to optimise workforce collaboration and learning opportunities, particularly as the data also shows that the majority of employees’ preferred working pattern is hybrid working.”