This is a paid press release. Contact the press release distributor directly with any inquiries.
Wolters Kluwer research reveals succession challenge facing Italy’s tax and accounting profession as firms struggle to attract the next generation
More than 70% of advisors are over 50, while only one in eight firms is prepared for succession, according to Wolters Kluwer’s Italian Advisory Barometer
-
More than 70% of advisors are over 50; only 4% are under 30.
-
Only 13% consider their firm fully prepared for succession; 58% are in a potentially vulnerable position.
-
71% have not updated their fees in the last 12 months, while 45% cannot pass on rising costs to their clients.
-
58% operate with between 1 and 3 permanent staff members; more than 84% have a maximum of 6 people.
-
62% face significant difficulty finding qualified professionals.
MILAN, September 09, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–More than 70% of professionals in Italy’s tax and accounting sector are over 50, while only 13% of firms consider themselves prepared to manage succession, according to the first Advisory Barometer from Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting Italy, a leading provider of software solutions, information, and services for professional firms and businesses.
Based on a survey of 440 Italian professional firms, the Barometer analyses the sector’s needs, challenges, and prospects. It portrays a profession deeply rooted in the Italian economic fabric — with more than half of firms in business for over 30 years and 88% retaining nearly their entire client portfolio — but increasingly under pressure from eroded profitability, difficulty competing as an employer, and a lack of succession planning.
“Italian accountants have built their success on a deep relationship of trust with their clients, but today the industry is facing unprecedented pressures. A gradual generational shift, growing complexity, and persistent pressure on margins are pushing firms to rethink how they operate and plan for the future. Generational transition is no longer just a long-term consideration; it has become a crucial factor for business continuity,” said Sergio Liscia, Vice President & General Manager of Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting Europe Region South. “Technology can play a key role by automating compliance activities, improving productivity, helping firms attract a new generation of talent, and creating more capacity to focus on higher-value advisory services.”
Inverted Age Pyramid: The Generational Challenge Facing the Sector
The Barometer’s demographic data is compelling. The largest age group among Italian financial advisors is those aged 51 to 60 (38%), followed by those over 60 (33%). Overall, more than seven out of ten professionals are over 50. At the other end of the spectrum, those under 30 account for just 4% of the total, and those between 30 and 40 account for only 7%.
