More Women in Singapore’s Finance Profession Eye Entrepreneurship: ACCA report

SINGAPORE – Women working in finance and accountancy in Singapore are increasingly aspiring to become entrepreneurs, according to early findings from the forthcoming Global Talent Trends 2026 report by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

New survey data shows that 42% of women finance professionals in Singapore now aspire to start their own businesses, up significantly from 31% last year, reflecting growing confidence among women to use financial expertise as a pathway to enterprise and leadership.

The findings come from early insights drawn from ACCA’s global survey of more than 11,000 finance professionals across 175 countries, with the full report scheduled for publication in May 2026.

A growing pathway to economic empowerment

While entrepreneurial ambitions remain higher among men overall, the narrowing gap suggests a notable shift in women’s career aspirations and confidence.

According to Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA, the rise in entrepreneurial ambition highlights the expanding role of financial training as a catalyst for women’s economic empowerment.

“Entrepreneurship represents economic empowerment in action,” she said. “The number of women aspiring to business ownership is an encouraging signal that finance and accountancy skills are equipping women not only to lead within organisations, but to build enterprises of their own.”

Brand added that the profession offers a strong foundation for entrepreneurship, combining expertise in governance, risk management, technology and strategic decision-making, all critical capabilities for building sustainable businesses.

Younger professionals driving the trend

The survey findings show that entrepreneurial ambitions are particularly strong among younger professionals. Nearly half of female finance professionals from Generation Z and Millennial cohorts indicated that they aspire to become entrepreneurs in the future.

This generational shift reflects a growing desire among younger women for greater autonomy, purpose and financial independence, alongside the opportunity to create impact through their own ventures.

Daniel Leung, ACCA’s country head for Singapore, noted that many young professionals now see accountancy as more than a technical discipline.

“They see accountancy as a launchpad for innovation, independence and impact,” he said. “While there remains more progress to be made to achieve parity, the direction of travel is clear. The profession is helping to unlock entrepreneurial potential at scale.”

Redefining the role of accountancy

The data also reflects a broader transformation in how finance professionals view their careers.

Many respondents indicated that they increasingly seek roles aligned with purpose, social impact and environmental sustainability, suggesting that the profession is evolving beyond traditional corporate pathways toward more diverse and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Globally, more than half of survey respondents believe that their finance and accountancy background would be beneficial for launching a business, reinforcing the profession’s role as a foundation for enterprise development.

Entrepreneurship and gender equality

The insights are being released ahead of International Women’s Day 2026, whose global theme set by UN Women is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls.”

ACCA says the findings underscore the importance of creating pathways that allow women to translate ambition into enterprise. Unlocking women’s entrepreneurial potential has been widely associated with broader economic benefits, including job creation, innovation and productivity growth.

As more women in Singapore’s finance profession consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path, the trend also reflects a wider reimagining of leadership and economic participation in a rapidly evolving global workforce.