These specialisations are particularly in demand in Germany's Finance and IT sectors

While classic roles in finance and accounting such as Accountant, Controller, or Finance Manager remain popular, there is a growing focus on more specialised functions.

“The finance sector is undergoing a significant transformation in Germany. It’s particularly in areas like compliance, IT security, and tax specialists that companies are seeing crucial progress,” explains Hande Bostan-Caruso, Senior Manager of Finance at the Frankfurt office of Robert Walters. “The industry is searching for a wide range of profiles,” Bostan-Caruso continues. “Whether it’s audit, asset management, IT and data management, or ‘classic’ finance experts – the diversity of sought-after talent in the market is enormous.”

Currently, the following three professions are especially in demand:

1. Compliance

With increasing regulation from German and European supervisory authorities such as BaFin and the European Banking Authority, compliance has gained significant importance in Germany. According to a study by the “Statista Research Department” (2024), demand for compliance professionals in Europe is expected to grow by around 5 % annually until 2025. This trend responds to stricter legal requirements and global standards, impacting banks and financial institutions most notably. Compliance professionals ensure that companies adhere to national and international regulations like the European Banking Union, the Securities Trading Act, and anti-money laundering laws. Compliance experts don’t necessarily need a legal background; what matters most is an analytical mindset and sound judgement skills to identify and mitigate risks early on.

2. Cybersecurity

The demand for IT security experts in Germany continues to grow rapidly. Cybersecurity is now relevant beyond critical infrastructure (KRITIS) alone. With increased digitisation and the use of digital banking services, the risk of cyber-attacks rises consistently. According to the “2023 Report on the State of IT Security in Germany” by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), an average of 70 new security vulnerabilities were identified daily across the country, with around 15 % classified as critical. This has led to high demand for cybersecurity specialists, who often work as project managers or serve as the interface between IT and other departments like finance, and hold BSI certifications.

“Cybersecurity is no longer only relevant to banks and financial services – it’s essential across all industries. IT security today is not merely a safeguard but a strategic necessity for any business.”

Regulatory pressures are also increasing: In banking, the DORA Directive sets new standards for cybersecurity, while in the industrial sector, the IT Security Act 2.0 raises the requirements for protective measures.

3. Tax Manager

Tax professionals are increasingly sought after by financial institutions and companies to implement tax requirements such as the German capital gains tax or international standards like FATCA and CRS. Tax Managers are responsible for ensuring that all financial transactions comply with the law while also leveraging opportunities for tax optimisation. “Working as a Tax Manager or tax expert requires detailed knowledge of tax law and financial markets. These skills are essential today to secure long-term success,” Bostan-Caruso notes. “These professionals often have an economically-focused tax or legal degree, complemented by qualifications such as the German tax advisor certification. They possess specialised tax expertise across various sectors, with many gaining experience in auditing firms, law firms, consulting firms, or directly in corporate tax departments. Their expertise is particularly valued to ensure financial organisations are compliant and to mitigate risks,” explains Bostan-Caruso.

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