Why Asia-Pacific Accountants Are Plotting Their Entrepreneurial Leap

More than half of finance professionals across Asia-Pacific no longer imagine themselves poring over ledgers for someone else’s bottom line.

According to ACCA’s freshly released 2025 Global Talent Trends survey, 52 percent of accountants in the region – and 37 percent in Singapore alone – now see the profession as a springboard to founding their own ventures.

With two-thirds of Singapore respondents saying they expect to switch roles within the next two years, the report paints a picture of restless, purpose-driven talent eager to tackle bigger challenges – from decarbonising balance sheets to harnessing artificial intelligence.

Purpose Over Paycheck

Accountants have always chased precision; today, they are chasing purpose. The survey shows soaring appetite for sustainability-focused work:

  • 71 percent of Asia-Pacific professionals and 61 percent of Singapore respondents want careers that revolve around environmental reporting and assurance.
  • Employers that can translate Net Zero pledges into day-to-day tasks will have the inside track on hiring (and keeping) top talent.

AI Anxiety Meets Upskilling Urgency

Even as firms trumpet their digital road maps, employees worry they are being left behind:

  • 65 percent of Singapore finance professionals fear they are not acquiring the AI skills needed for tomorrow’s workplace.
  • The message for CFOs is stark: invest in structured, role-relevant upskilling or risk a talent drain to nimbler competitors – or to the start-ups that your own staff set up.

Mobility on the Menu

Career confidence remains high despite economic headwinds:

  • 57 percent of Asia-Pacific accountants (65 percent in Singapore) feel employable enough to jump ship within 24 months.
  • Hybrid work options and inclusive cultures are emerging as non-negotiables rather than perks.

Well-Being Warning Light

For all their optimism, accountants are paying a price in mental health:

  • 53 percent of Singapore respondents say work pressures are hurting their well-being.
  • Flexible scheduling, realistic workloads, and psychological-safety initiatives are no longer «nice to have» – they are retention tools.

What This Means For Employers

  1. Build entrepreneurial pathways inside – offer intrapreneurship programs and equity-linked incentives so ambitious staff can innovate without walking out the door.
  2. Link ESG with everyday tasks – translate sustainability goals into clear KPIs for finance teams.
  3. Make AI literacy a core competency – pair technical training with time-boxed, real-world projects.
  4. Treat well-being as a balance-sheet item – measure burnout risk and budget for prevention.

The accountancy profession is at an inflection point. Those who redesign roles around impact, innovation, and inclusivity will not only keep their brightest people; they will also unlock the entrepreneurial energy surging through the sector.