Nearly half of finance workers fear AI job impact

ACCA finds strong AI adoption in finance roles, but job security concerns persist.

Nearly half of Singapore’s finance professionals, or 48%, say they are concerned that artificial intelligence (AI) could affect their jobs, even as most report strong confidence in using the technology, according to Association of Chartered Certified Accountants’s (ACCA).

In its Global Talent Trends 2026 report, which surveyed more than 11,000 finance professionals across 160 countries, ACCA found that 81% of Singapore respondents are confident in learning and applying AI skills, whilst 51% already use AI tools regularly in their day-to-day work.

Despite this, trust in AI systems is lower in some areas. Only 41% said they trust AI to support fair and unbiased hiring decisions.

The report also pointed to strong interest in purpose-driven work. About 70% of respondents in Singapore said a company’s position on social and human rights issues affects where they choose to work.

More than half (54%) said they want roles linked to social impact, whilst 63% are interested in environmental-focused finance roles.

ACCA said these findings reflect a workforce balancing technology adoption with changing expectations around work.

“Singapore’s employers are competing for some of the most skilled finance professionals in the world. But skilled professionals have choices, and increasingly, those choices are being shaped by purpose as much as by pay,” said Maurice Cheong, head of Singapore, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania at ACCA.

The report also highlighted challenges linked to multigenerational workplaces. More than half (53%) of Singapore respondents said their organisations struggle with collaboration across different age groups, compared with a global average of 42%.

On pay, 46% said they are satisfied with their compensation, whilst 52% plan to ask for a salary increase in the next 12 months.

Work pressure remains an issue, with 52% reporting that their mental health is negatively affected by job demands.

On work arrangements, 65% of respondents said companies should require a set number of office days each week, whilst 59% said office presence improves promotion prospects. Despite this, hybrid work remains the preferred model.

“The data from Singapore reflects a workforce navigating uncertainty around technology, purpose and career progression,” said Cheong.

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