The entry-level job is quietly disappearing and the accounting profession is feeling it too. According to Business Insider, Deloitte UK is scaling back bonuses and promotions in parts of the firm after falling short of financial targets. That includes one division cutting bonus payouts to 80% of the expected amount and promoting fewer people than last year. While some areas like audit and tax held steady, other areas, like consulting, took a hit. 

This comes as new grads are already facing a tough job market. As Fast Company reports, more entry-level roles now require two to five years of experience. The jobs that used to help people gain that experience are shrinking. In accounting, where firms have long relied on early-career hired to build long-term talent pipelines, that trend is especially concerning. 

Firms say they want people who can think critically, communicate clearly, and adapt to new technology. But those skills aren’t developed overnight. When routine work gets automated and junior roles get cut, new hire lose out on the space to grow—and firms lose out on future leaders. 

Some companies are investing in skills-based hiring or rethinking internships and apprenticeships. But many are still filtering for experience without providing the chance to build it. That sends a clear message to early-career professional: be ready on day one, or don’t bother applying. 

As Fast Company points out, today’s entry-level roles often expect experience most graduates haven’t had the change to gain. The risk isn’t just individual frustration but a long-term talent shortage.