Accountants reveal entrepreneurial ambitions in the world's largest talent survey in finance

ACCA's (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) latest annual Global Talent Trends Survey 2025 alerts employers to changing perspectives among accountancy and finance professionals, providing a unique view of how people feel about their life at work and future career aspirations.

Now in its third year, this is the largest annual talent survey of accountancy and finance professionals across the world. Over 10,000 individuals from 175 countries responded to our survey on issues ranging from career ambitions, hybrid working and inclusivity practices to upskilling, mental health and employability issues.

Many respondents see accountancy as a gateway for entrepreneurial ambitions and skills. With over half of respondents (52%) indicating they have career ambitions to be entrepreneurs, it's clear that many see accountancy as a natural springboard to eventually running their own businesses in the future. This could also be good news for employers - there's a growing need for accountants to use their entrepreneurial mindsets in many finance and business job roles where skills such as commerciality and innovation are prized attributes.

This year's emerging key themes are as follows:

1. 52% see accountancy as a springboard to running their own businesses. This entrepreneurial mindset is highly valued by employers.
2. Demand for sustainability-related careers is flying high with 67% interested in pursuing accountancy careers focused on environmental issues. Currently 48% of wider leadership roles below board level and 35% of middle management roles in finance include sustainability responsibilities.
3. Employability confidence is high with 62% expecting to move roles in the next two years and 58% expecting their next career role to be outside their current organisation - a retention challenge for employers.
4. Over 76% want hybrid working arrangements, yet over half of respondents (51%) are still working in the office full time.
5. The recognition of older employees tops the list of diversity concerns, with 45% saying their organisation focuses more on certain aspects of diversity than others.
6. The cost-of-living crisis continues to top our 'workplace fear' index with 41% of respondents expecting a pay rise of at least 11% over the next 12 months.
7. Half of respondents are concerned they're not developing the skills required for the future workplace, and fewer than a third (32%) say their organisation is providing opportunities to learn AI-related skills.
8. Mental health indicators are improving slightly compared to previous years data but remain challenging with 52% of respondents agreeing their mental health suffers due to work pressures.
9. The 'side hustle' is on the rise. 43% of Gen Z respondents and 39% across all generations suggest they're now engaged in additional employment to their main jobs - another challenge for employers in terms of engagement and retention.
10. Accountancy remains a valued passport to global careers with 72% of Gen Z and 52% of Gen Y respondents citing a desire to pursue career opportunities abroad.

Jamie Lyon FCCA, Global Head of Skills, Sectors and Technology at ACCA said: 'Our 2025 data continues to show a workplace in transition, but one of the exciting themes emerging this year is how accountancy training can be a brilliant early career pathway for building entrepreneurial skills. There's no doubt this in part reflects how career ambitions continue to transform at work.'

Explore our interactive glboal report here.

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About ACCA

We are ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), a globally recognised professional accountancy body providing qualifications and advancing standards in accountancy worldwide.  

Founded in 1904 to widen access to the accountancy profession, we've long championed inclusion and today proudly support a diverse community of over 252,500 members and 526,000 future members in 180 countries.   

Our forward-looking qualifications, continuous learning and insights are respected and valued by employers in every sector. They equip individuals with the business and finance expertise and ethical judgment to create, protect, and report the sustainable value delivered by organisations and economies.  

Guided by our purpose and values, our ambition is to lead the accountancy profession for a changed world. Partnering with policymakers, standard setters, the donor community, educators and other accountancy bodies, we're strengthening and building a profession that drives a sustainable future for all. 

Find out more at: www.accaglobal.com