Growing number of UK women in finance aspire to start their own businesses

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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A growing share of women working in finance and accountancy in the UK are aiming to launch their own businesses, according to early findings from a forthcoming global report by ACCA.

The organisation’s Global Talent Trends 2026 survey shows that 32% of women in the UK finance profession now aspire to become entrepreneurs, up from 27% in 2025.

The figures form part of a wider study of more than 11,000 finance professionals across 175 countries, with the full report due to be published in May.

The data suggests increasing confidence among female finance professionals in using their skills as a pathway into business ownership.

While men remain more likely overall to say they want to start their own company, the gap is narrowing as women’s entrepreneurial ambitions grow.

According to the survey, around half of female respondents from Generation Z and Millennial cohorts say they want to become entrepreneurs in the future, reflecting what researchers describe as a stronger focus on independence, impact and financial autonomy among younger workers.

Helen Brand, Chief Executive of ACCA, said: “Entrepreneurship represents economic empowerment in action.

“The number of women aspiring to own their own business 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.

“Accountancy provides a powerful platform for entrepreneurial success, combining financial expertise, governance, risk management, technology and strategic insight.

“For UK economic growth and equality, it is vital we support women to translate ambition into enterprise.”

ACCA has more than 100,000 members in the UK, and roughly half are women.

The organisation says accountancy is increasingly viewed as a training ground for entrepreneurship, with more than half of all respondents globally saying their finance background would benefit them in starting a business.

Ambitions are particularly strong in emerging markets, where entrepreneurship is often seen as a route to economic mobility and wider societal impact.

Jamie Lyon FCCA, Global Head of Skills, Sectors and Technology at ACCA, said: “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.

“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.”

The research also suggests women’s interest in starting businesses forms part of a broader shift within the profession.

Many finance professionals are seeking roles that offer greater purpose, social impact, environmental sustainability and autonomy, expanding perceptions of the profession beyond traditional corporate careers.

The survey also revealed significant regional differences in entrepreneurial ambition. Pakistan recorded the highest share of women interested in entrepreneurship at 88%, closely followed by Africa at 84%.

By contrast, Ireland (26%) and China (29%) reported the lowest levels of female entrepreneurial ambition among respondents.

ACCA said the full Global Talent Trends 2026 report, due out in May, will explore how finance professionals’ career expectations are evolving as technology, workplace culture and economic conditions reshape the profession.