Breaking the Growth Ceiling: How Leading Firms Scale Beyond Local Talent Constraints
Key takeaways
- Demand for audit, advisory, and compliance services continues to grow, while experienced finance professionals are becoming increasingly scarce in local markets.
- In the Netherlands alone, nearly 40% of audit firms report being unable to deliver all contracted work due to staffing shortages, while contractor costs have risen significantly in recent years.
- However, the profession itself is also changing fundamentally.
Breaking the Growth Ceiling: How Leading Firms Scale Beyond Local Talent Constraints Zoya Malik Thu, June 11, 2026 at 9:51 PM GMT+7 6 min read Across Europe, accounting and advisory firms are facing a structural challenge that goes far beyond recruitment alone. Demand for audit, advisory, and compliance services continues to grow, while experienced finance professionals are becoming increasingly scarce in local markets. Marnix van Kruijsdijk, Co-Founder & Director, i Sprout Finance and Edwin van Haare, Partner Accountancy & Assurance at Newtone, speaking at IAFA 2026 on 25 June will highlight the shift changes not only that impact how firms operate, but also the type of talent they require
In the Netherlands alone, nearly 40% of audit firms report being unable to deliver all contracted work due to staffing shortages, while contractor costs have risen significantly in recent years. At the same time, regulatory complexity, sustainability reporting requirements, and growing client expectations continue to increase pressure on firms.
However, the profession itself is also changing fundamentally.