Higher education is facing a period of significant change.

With recent shifts in international student visa policies, many institutions have seen their funding streams disrupted, forcing them to restructure and, in some cases, reduce staff headcounts.

This challenging environment has pushed finance teams to rethink how they operate, with a renewed focus on improving efficiency and modernising systems.

One major issue emerging from these changes is a growing shortage of skilled professionals who can drive the necessary system improvements. Finance teams are under increasing pressure to streamline processes, enhance management information, and ensure operations are both compliant and prepared for future challenges. In our conversations with senior leaders in the sector, one remarked:

"With funding pressures growing, there’s a greater need to streamline finance functions and bring in experts who can drive system improvements efficiently."

This insight highlights the urgent need for talent that blends technical expertise with strategic vision. Today, it's not enough to simply manage day-to-day operations; finance professionals must also help shape long-term strategy, ensuring that systems and processes are both robust and agile. The right candidates will bring hands-on experience with system improvements, strong skills in finance operations, and a deep understanding of financial planning and analysis (FP&A).

Moreover, consistent themes emerging from education clients underscore the importance of automation and process improvements. There is a growing demand for enhanced dashboards, post-audit improvements, and modernised systems within finance operations. These priorities reflect a broader industry trend: institutions are not only addressing immediate challenges but are also investing in the digital tools and methodologies necessary to navigate an ever-evolving financial landscape.

Addressing the talent gap in higher education finance is essential for institutions to adapt to current challenges and secure their future success. Emphasising a strategic approach to talent development and recruitment will be crucial for building resilient finance teams capable of thriving in an ever-changing environment.

Emma is part of our Not-for-Profit team and is an expert in tracing and securing accountancy talent across the NFP, Arts and Membership sectors. Get in touch with Emma and the Trace Team here.