Global accounting leadership outlook 2026
Earlier this year the International Accounting Bulletin (IAB) spoke to accounting CEOs and practice heads to hear their thoughts on the key issues and trends impacting the industry.
Against a backdrop of rapid technological acceleration, regulatory change and shifting business models, global accounting leaders describe a profession balancing confidence with caution as it adapts to structural change across advisory, audit and tax.
Maxine Brock, CEO at MGI Worldwide, joined the discussion sharing insights into how firms are responding to increasingly diverse market conditions and rising client expectations across jurisdictions.
Advisory — locally driven and globally connected
Across the profession, advisory services are now firmly established as a core growth engine, but demand patterns vary significantly by geography, sector and maturity of markets.
Maxine highlights this divergence clearly, noting:
“Advisory demand looks very different around the world right now. In Kenya, momentum is linked to NGOs and infrastructure investment; in Latin America, energy transition and fintech dominate. Parts of Europe remain cautious and cost focused. Overall, the common theme is firms staying close to clients and adapting their advice to what each market needs.”
Maxine's comments reflect a broader shift towards highly contextual, locally responsive advisory services, even as firms continue to strengthen cross-border collaboration and global capability.
Technology and the human-led advisory model
Technology remains a defining force across the profession, but leaders consistently emphasise that it is an enabler rather than a replacement for professional judgement and client relationships. Maxine captures this balance succinctly: “Tech enabled, human led.”
This reflects a wider consensus that while AI and automation are transforming efficiency and insight generation, the value of the profession continues to rest on trust, interpretation and client understanding.
Audit, tax and structural pressures
Beyond advisory, firms are navigating increasing regulatory complexity in audit, evolving ESG requirements, and the growing influence of AI in tax compliance and planning. At the same time, private equity investment and changing ownership models are reshaping the structure of firms globally, introducing both opportunity and governance challenges.
Talent expectations are also evolving rapidly, with firms investing in digital skills, flexible career pathways and capabilities in AI, data analytics and ESG to future-proof their workforce.
Looking ahead
The 2026 outlook for the global accounting profession is cautiously optimistic, defined by transition rather than stability. While advisory services continue to expand and technology reshapes delivery models, firms must navigate regulatory divergence, talent pressures and structural change across ownership frameworks.
In this environment, MGI Worldwide’s perspective, as articulated by Maxine, underscores a central theme: long-term success will depend on remaining closely aligned to client needs, locally responsive, and able to combine technology with trusted human insight.
MGI Worldwide is a leading global accounting network and association with over 8,800 professionals, accountants and tax experts in some 440 locations in almost 100 countries