Over half of accountants see the profession as a gateway for entrepreneurship, according to a new study.
The latest edition of an annual
"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," Jamie Lyon, global head of skills, sectors and technology at the ACCA, said in a statement. "There's no doubt this in part reflects how career ambitions continue to transform at work."
Two-thirds of respondents are interested in pursuing accounting careers focused on environmental issues, and 79% agree that reputation on social and humans rights issues would be a key factor in deciding whether to work at an organization.
Employability confidence is high among respondents, with 68% wanting to move roles in the next two years, and 43% expecting their next career role to be outside their current organization. Respondents also favor hybrid work (71%), while only 12% say they want to be in the office full time. Thirty-five percent report their office is fully office-based, up from 23% in 2024.
Cost of living is the top concern for 41% of respondents — with 56% being dissatisfied with their current wages — followed by the effects of a potential economic downturn (35%). And 39% of respondents reported concern over rising socioeconomic barriers, doubled from 19% in 2024.
Additionally, 46% of respondents say their mental health suffers due to work pressures, and 56% want more support in this area. And the proportion of respondents from North America (52%) who want to move internationally has doubled since 2024 (28%).
