Mind the Gap: Why Finance’s AI Skills Pipeline Is Under Pressure

As AI transforms the role of Finance, a growing skills divide is threatening progress. A recent study of over 2,500 respondents in the US and UK reveals a stark truth: AI confidence drops dramatically from students to seasoned finance professionals. And the industry may not be ready for what comes next.

A Generation Raised on Tech, but Entering a Workforce That Isn’t Fully Prepared

While 89% of finance students feel they have enough experience with AI to use it in their future roles, that number falls sharply among working professionals to just 63% of those with under ten years’ experience, and only 54% among those with ten years or more.

Nearly two-thirds of corporate finance professionals say they’re using AI in some capacity today. But despite AI becoming increasingly central to finance operations many still feel they’re learning on the job. One in ten even say they wish they’d had AI or machine learning skills at the start of their career.

Finance Leaders Flag a Generational Divide

Over half of working finance professionals say the generational technology gap is an issue within their teams. The three biggest contributors?

• AI skills gaps (44%)
• The pace of change in new tools and systems (44%)
• Fear or resistance to AI taking over routine tasks (40%)

Phil Dye, Director at The Consultancy Group, comments:

“We’re hearing this consistently from the market. CFOs know that AI is changing the way Finance operates but many teams are trying to build the plane while flying it. It’s not just about hiring talent with AI exposure, it’s about creating an environment where continuous learning and upskilling is part of the culture.”

A Gendered Skills Divide That Starts Early

One of the more concerning findings from the study is the emerging gender divide in AI readiness. Among current students, 93% of men say they feel confident using AI at work, compared to just 65% of women. That confidence gap carries through to expectations of AI use in their careers and gets wider as careers progress.

• Only 12% of female finance students expect to rely heavily on AI, vs. 68% of male students
• Among young professionals, 69% of men feel ready to use AI — but only 56% of women say the same
• Nearly a third of young women say AI and automation will be the biggest career challenge over the next decade

Expectations vs. Reality: Is the Industry Doing Enough to Prepare New Starters?

Despite attractive elements like  job stability, high salaries, and clear career paths to attract finance graduates, they may not be ready for the day-to-day demands of the profession.

While 79% of students expect to work less than 40 hours a week, over half of current professionals work more than that. And burnout is real,  57% have experienced it directly, with work-life balance and workload issues cited as top reasons for team attrition.

When asked what skills matter most for new hires, current professionals prioritised:

• Technical acumen (22%)
• Work ethic (21%)
• Business strategy and problem solving (20%)

In other words, AI skills are important but they’re not a silver bullet. A strong foundation in finance fundamentals, critical thinking, and adaptability still carry serious weight.

A Call to Action for CFOs and Finance Leaders

If the next generation of finance talent is entering the workforce with enthusiasm and digital fluency, then the responsibility lies with leadership to harness it. That means bridging the AI skills gap not just through recruitment, but through training, mentorship, and tech-enabled workflows that allow teams to focus on strategy over spreadsheets.

AI isn’t replacing finance professionals, it’s redefining what the profession can be.

View the original report:
OneStream Study: AI Talent and Skills Gap in Corporate Finance (PDF)