A recent survey by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) reveals a significant rise in entrepreneurial aspirations among women in Singapore’s finance sector. According to early findings from ACCA’s Global Talent Trends 2026 report, 42% of women in finance and accountancy now aim to become entrepreneurs, a notable increase from 31% the previous year.
The survey, which gathered insights from over 11,000 finance professionals across 175 countries, highlights a growing confidence among women to leverage their financial expertise for business ownership. This trend is particularly strong among younger professionals, with half of Generation Z and Millennial women expressing entrepreneurial ambitions.
Helen Brand, ACCA’s chief executive, remarked, “Entrepreneurship represents economic empowerment in action. 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.”
The data suggests that accountancy is increasingly viewed as a foundation for entrepreneurship, with over half of respondents recognising their finance background as advantageous for starting a business. This shift is most evident in emerging markets, where entrepreneurship is often seen as a route to economic mobility and societal impact.
Daniel Leung, ACCA’s country head for Singapore, noted, “The drive towards entrepreneurship is especially evident among younger finance professionals. They see accountancy as more than a technical discipline; it is a launchpad for innovation, independence, and impact.”
As International Women’s Day 2026 approaches, these findings underscore the evolving role of accountancy in fostering economic empowerment and highlight the importance of supporting women’s entrepreneurial potential for broader economic growth.
