AI expertise has become a defining requirement within the CFO’s office, reaching a tipping point in hiring expectations. Nearly 31% of finance job listings now specifically mention AI or machine learning skills—up from 25% a year earlier—according to new research by Datarails. Demand has grown especially quickly for accountants, where references to AI have jumped 67% year-over-year, signaling that even traditionally operational roles are being reshaped. At the same time, employers are increasingly prioritizing softer capabilities such as storytelling and cross-functional collaboration, alongside rising CFO compensation.

These insights come from Datarails’ CFO’s Office 2.0: 2026 report, which reviewed more than 5,000 U.S. job postings across four key finance roles—CFO, FP&A, Controller, and Accountant—between January 2025 and January 2026. The findings point to a finance function undergoing a major transformation: rapid AI adoption, higher strategic expectations across roles, declining remote work opportunities, and widening pay gaps between senior leadership and operational positions.
Key takeaways include:

Didi Gurfinkel, CEO and Co-founder of Datarails, noted that AI is transforming rather than replacing finance functions. Success will depend on blending technical proficiency with strategic insight and strong communication skills, particularly the ability to present data-driven stories. Despite technological advances, tools like Excel remain deeply embedded in finance workflows.

Additional trends highlighted in the report include:

The study drew on data from ten major U.S. job platforms, including Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, and ZipRecruiter, collected in January 2025 and January 2026. After filtering and deduplication, each dataset included roughly 230–260 postings per role, contributing to a total analysis of more than 5,000 listings.

Navigating Remote Work Opportunities Amid RTO Mandates
Is your employer pushing for a return to the office (RTO)? If you're considering a career change because of it, you're not alone. Following former President Trump’s directive requiring federal employees to return to in-person work, a survey conducted by MyPerfectResume in January 2025 found that 51% of workers would resign if faced with a non-negotiable RTO policy, while 40% would actively pursue remote roles.

The report also highlighted that nearly half (45%) of respondents preferred fully remote work, while 33% favored a hybrid setup, and only 22% opted for full-time, in-office positions. Additionally, 68% of employees reported that flexible work arrangements positively impacted their mental health, with 36% favoring remote work and 32% preferring hybrid models. These findings align with a recent FlexJobs study, which revealed that 56% of employees believe a remote-only work environment is best for their well-being, while over 40% feel a hybrid setup offers the right balance.

Finding High-Paying Remote Jobs
Securing a remote job is already a challenge, but finding one that pays six figures without requiring office attendance can be even tougher. However, the landscape is shifting. According to a recent Ladders report, the number of high-paying remote jobs—those offering salaries of $100,000 or more—rose by 10% in the final quarter of 2024 and has shown consistent growth throughout the year. This is promising news for professionals who want to maintain or increase their earnings while working remotely.

Top Remote Jobs Offering Six-Figure Salaries
FlexJobs recently analyzed its database of companies hiring for remote positions in 2025 and identified the top 10 industries with the highest demand. These sectors include project management, operations, finance, sales, and marketing. Within these fields, numerous positions pay between $100,000 and $200,000 annually.

Here are some high-paying remote job roles currently in demand, with salary estimates from Payscale and Salary.com:

Key Skills to Secure a High-Paying Remote Job
If you’re aiming for one of these lucrative remote positions, what skills do you need to stand out?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a critical factor in nearly every industry. IBM executive Justina Nixon-Saintil emphasized the growing importance of AI proficiency, stating that professionals across all sectors—from technology to finance—must upskill and develop AI literacy to stay competitive.

Beyond AI knowledge, these high-paying roles require a blend of soft and technical skills, such as:

Trends in Six-Figure Jobs for 2025
Ladders analysts predict four key trends shaping the market for jobs paying $100,000 or more this year:

As 2025 progresses, the demand for high-paying remote jobs is set to grow. The question is—what role do you see yourself thriving in by the end of the year?