• Early-career accountants lose nearly five hours per week to manual processes and disconnected systems
• Companies competing on wages are fighting the wrong battle, as only 1% of them consider it their highest priority.
• 44% say investing in modern technology would be their top priority if they were managing partner

London, United Kingdom, April 7, 2026: New research from IRIS Software Group suggests practice leaders risk overlooking the role of technology in attracting and retaining young talent, as early-career accountants reveal they lose 33 days of productive time per year* to inefficient and outdated systems.

The IRIS study of 500 final-year accounting students, recent graduates and early-career accounting professionals** revealed a significant gap between the technologies young colleagues expected to have access to and the practices available to them.

Nearly half (43%) expect modern cloud-based systems to be in place and 34% expect seamless, integrated technology to be applied across all workflows. However, 40% of respondents already in training or working full-time admitted to spending a lot of time on manual data entry – and a quarter (25%) work on more than five disconnected systems daily. Early-career accountants have revealed that these problems result in a loss of five hours per week, which equates to 33 days of lost productive time each year.

Technology as a retention tool

IRIS findings highlighted the role of technology in supporting the day-to-day experience that drives staff retention. When asked what would entice them to stay at a company even if they received a higher salary offer elsewhere, 24% said great technology and efficient processes – putting technology ahead of relationships between colleagues and leaders (22%), interest in the job (17%) and company culture and values ​​(15%) to stay in place.

While work-life balance (54%) and salary (50%) were high on the list of most important factors when young talent is looking for their first accounting role, one in five (20%) also believe it was important to see work-simplifying technology processes in their first job. Only 1% said salary was the most important factor in choosing where to work.

Jonathan Priestley, Managing Director of Global Accounting Solutions and Transformation at IRIS Accountancysaid: “Modernizing practices is often discussed in terms of productivity and profitability. But it is rarely seen as a factor in attracting and retaining talent – ​​despite chronic skills shortages in the sector.

“The profession is at a crossroads. Companies are being asked to do more with less, while meeting the growing expectations of the new generation of talent who will not accept inefficient and disconnected workflows as the norm.

“It’s clear that businesses need to establish a new model for growing their practices, setting out a clear strategy focused on technology and efficiency, so that junior staff are not wasting time on outdated processes and accountants can access the high-value consultancy work that actually increases margins.

Businesses of the future

Technology frustrations appear to be shaping how the next generation believes businesses should evolve. Nearly nine in ten (89%) believe that the digitalization of tax will force businesses to modernize their systems in a way that will directly benefit accountants early in their careers.

When asked what their priorities would be if they became managing partner tomorrow, 44% said immediately investing in modern, integrated technology and automation – rising to 54% among qualified accountants and 70% among those with five years of experience. Almost all (94%) believe that connected technology would allow them to do their work better.

The research also raises broader questions about the traditional career path at the profession’s biggest companies. More than half of those surveyed (54%) believe the Big Four is becoming a less reliable path to success, even though the majority of young talent still aims for careers at the industry’s biggest companies.

Jonathan Priestley added: “Practices that view MTD as a compliance burden will modernize at a minimum, while those that embrace the digital shift will recognize it as the moment young accountants have been waiting for, and will emerge operationally stronger and better placed to attract and retain the talent the industry is fighting for. But the broader pattern is clear: the longer people work at these firms, the more certain they become about what’s holding them back.

“What our research shows is that the companies most likely to win the battle for talent are those that invest in their people and technology in equal measure – not those with reputations and big names. The companies that recognize this and act on it now, before MTD forces their hand, are the ones that will emerge from the next few years in a fundamentally stronger position.”

For a more in-depth look at what the next generation of accountants expect from the profession – and how businesses can deliver – download the full report here.

END

*Based on accountants working seven hours per day, 47 weeks per year.

**Survey of 500 final year accounting students, recent graduates and early career accounting professionals in the UK, conducted by Censuswide, on behalf of IRIS Software Group, between February 20 and February 26, 2026.

END

About IRIS Software Group

IRIS Software Group is a global provider of mission-critical software and one of the UK’s largest privately owned software companies. IRIS provides software solutions and services to finance, HR and payroll teams, educational institutions and accounting firms that simplify processes and allow professionals to focus on the work they love. By simplifying, automating and providing insight into critical daily tasks for organizations of all shapes and sizes, IRIS ensures its customers can look to the future with certainty and confidence.

IRIS is the largest third-party online filer to the UK government. Ninety-three of the UK’s 100 largest accountancy firms use IRIS software. One in six employees in the UK are paid through IRIS payroll offerings, and globally, six million employees receive their payslips through IRIS software each month. More than 850,000 employees in the UK are managed by IRIS HR solutions. More than 12,000 UK schools and academies use IRIS, and four million parents and carers use IRIS apps to connect with their child’s school; 300 million messages are sent between schools and parents each year, and over £15 million in transactional payments are processed each month. IRIS is a Great Place to Work® certified and recognized as one of the Times 50 Best Employers for Gender Equality in 2023. IRIS is also recognized as a Best Workplace for Wellbeing, a Best Workplace in Technology, and a Best Workplace for Women.

To see how IRIS helps organizations succeed first time, every time, visit www.iris.co.uk or follow IRIS Software Group on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Media contact:

Jennifer Peters | News@irisglobal.com

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