CFA Institute Finance Skills Pulse Survey

CFA Institute Finance Skills Pulse Survey

The Finance Skills Pulse Survey captures perspectives from 1,350 finance professionals at a manager level or above across the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, offering a view of the skills shaping the future of the finance profession.

The survey examines the skills and experiences that drive employability today and what will be expected of new entrants in the future. It also explores how hiring and promotion decisions are evolving in response to the rapidly changing financial landscape.

Findings point to a growing demand for blended skillsets. While core technical knowledge remains foundational, the data suggests that finance careers will increasingly depend on striking a balance between soft skills (e.g., communication, collaboration and relationship management), AI competency and practical, hands-on experience. However, a gap exists between the expectations of established finance professionals and the readiness of new entrants, underscoring the need for new finance professionals to develop multi-faceted skillsets and the importance of continuous upskilling for professionals.