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Today's young professionals in finance shared services have as much ambitions to progress within the organisation than any ACCA member or student polled for Generation Next, the largest global survey of young finance professionals' career aspirations and work preferences.

Ambitions and mobility

Close to 80 per cent said their immediate aim was to climb up the finance organisation but more than half of them believed they would have to move outside of their current organisation to achieve this.

A risk of potential talent deficit

If they are to retain top talents, employers may have to rethink their talent management strategies, and look to build career pathways that are fit for a transforming finance function.

Technology is an opportunity

Technology holds no fear for this generation. Being the innovation lab of the organisation can represent an attractive proposition for a tech-savvy generation.

Graphic: 88 per cent of respondents in shared services see technology as an opportunity to focus on much higher value-adding activity. 88 per cent of respondents in shared services see technology as an opportunity to focus on much higher value-adding activity.

Employers' call to action

Across the profession, where opportunities for growth and development are perceived to be limited, there is high potential for a draining of talent.

If employers are to retain the best and brightest, they must look to develop effective management programs suited for a generation with ambition, global aspiration, entrepreneurship and appetite for change.

Further reading