Nearly two-thirds of women in finance and accountancy in India are now looking to become entrepreneurs, indicating a rise in confidence in utilizing financial skills for business ownership. Data from a survey by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) reveals that 64% of women professionals in this sector aspire to start their own ventures, up from 56% last year. This increase reflects a growing trend of women leveraging their accountancy and finance training to pursue entrepreneurship.
The report highlights that while men still exhibit higher entrepreneurial aspirations overall, the gender gap is gradually narrowing, signaling a shift in career goals and confidence levels among women professionals. This trend is particularly noticeable among younger individuals in the field. The survey indicates that women from Generation Z and Millennial cohorts show a strong inclination towards starting their own businesses, with approximately half expressing such ambitions for the future.
ACCA notes that this trend signifies a generational push towards autonomy, impact, and financial self-sufficiency. Helen Brand, the chief executive of ACCA, emphasizes how accountancy and finance skills can empower women to lead and establish enterprises. She views entrepreneurship as a form of economic empowerment in practice, highlighting the role of accountancy in enabling entrepreneurial success through financial expertise, governance, risk management, technology, and strategic acumen.
Md. Sajid Khan, director at ACCA India, observes a noticeable shift towards entrepreneurship among younger finance professionals in India. He notes that these individuals perceive accountancy not just as a technical field but as a platform for innovation, independence, and influence. ACCA’s Global Talent Trends 2026 data underscores that accountancy continues to serve as a natural training ground for future business owners, with over half of respondents recognizing the value of their finance background for entrepreneurial pursuits.
The accountancy body points out that ambitions for entrepreneurship are particularly strong in emerging markets, where starting a business is often viewed as a means to achieve economic mobility and societal impact.
