More than half of finance professionals are considering entrepreneurship and job changes, highlighting critical shifts in the global workforce landscape, according to the Global Talent Trends Survey 2025 of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
The third edition of this survey, which gathered insights from over 10,000 professionals across 175 countries, offers a comprehensive view of emerging career trends, workplace expectations, mental health, skill development, hybrid work, and inclusivity within the accountancy and finance sector.
A key finding reveals that 52% of finance professionals aspire to start their own business during their careers. Interestingly, the same percentage believe that the accountancy profession effectively equips them with the skills needed for entrepreneurship - an encouraging sign for organizations that value innovation and commercial thinking.
Another pressing challenge is talent retention. 62% of respondents said they are likely to change jobs within the next two years, with 58% planning to move to a different employer. This trend underscores the growing urgency for organisations to adapt their retention strategies.
The report also highlights shifting priorities among professionals: 67% expressed interest in roles focused on sustainability and environmental impact, signaling rising demand for new skills; 76% prefer hybrid or flexible working models, yet 51% still work entirely on-site; 45% feel that their organisations undervalue older employees, focusing instead on selective attributes; 41% say they require at least an 11% salary increase to manage rising living costs; and over 50% feel unprepared for the future workplace, particularly in acquiring AI-related skills.
Mental health remains a growing concern, with 52% of respondents reporting that their well-being is affected by work-related stress. Moreover, 39% are juggling side jobs.
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