A growing number of Indian accountants are looking beyond traditional corporate roles, with 63% now aspiring to become entrepreneurs, according to ACCA’s Global Talent Trends Survey 2025.
The latest edition of the annual survey – one of the largest in the accounting profession – covered over 10,000 individuals across 175 countries, including India, and highlights a fundamental shift in how professionals view the future of work.
The entrepreneurial outlook is a defining feature of this year’s findings. “This year’s Global Talent Trends Report reveals a pivotal moment for the Indian finance profession,” said Md. Sajid Khan, director-India, ACCA. “With a remarkable 63% of professionals aspiring to become entrepreneurs, and 75% valuing hybrid work options, it’s clear that talent priorities are shifting rapidly.” The report suggests that many see accountancy not just as a stable career but as a springboard to launch their ventures.
The survey also reveals that sustainability is playing a significant role in shaping career paths. Nearly three in four respondents from India – 74% – expressed interest in accountancy roles focused on environmental issues.
This mirrors a global trend where leadership roles increasingly involve sustainability responsibilities. Jamie Lyon, global head of skills, sectors, and technology at ACCA, noted that “one of the exciting themes emerging this year is how accountancy training can be a brilliant early career pathway for building entrepreneurial skills,” reflecting the broader transformation of career ambitions at work.
While enthusiasm for the future is high, so is mobility.
Eight out of ten professionals in India expect to change jobs within the next two years, and 67% believe their next move will take them outside their current organisation. That presents a serious retention challenge for employers, especially as 85% of respondents also expressed a desire to work abroad at some point in their careers.
The call for flexibility remains loud, with over 75% of Indian respondents saying they prefer hybrid work arrangements. Yet 41% continue to work from the office full time, indicating a mismatch between employee expectations and workplace policies. Khan noted that “a growing number, especially from emerging markets like India, are looking beyond borders,” underscoring the need for employers to rethink workplace culture and policies.
Meanwhile, concerns around upskilling persist.
Just over half of respondents (54%) worry they are not developing the right skills for the future, and only 37% say their employers offer opportunities to learn AI-related competencies.
Rising financial anxieties are also influencing workplace dynamics, with 67% expecting a pay raise in the coming year, driven in part by ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
On the diversity front, 55% of Indian professionals said their organisation focuses more on certain aspects of inclusivity than others. Recognition of older employees ranked highest among diversity concerns, suggesting generational bias may be an under-addressed issue in corporate India.
While mental health indicators have shown slight improvement compared to previous years, the numbers remain concerning – 51% of respondents agree that work pressures are affecting their mental well-being.
In another sign of shifting work identities, 32% of respondents across generations said they are engaged in a side hustle or additional employment, posing fresh questions for employers around engagement and loyalty.
“These insights underline the urgent need for employers to reimagine workplace culture, one that encourages flexibility, nurtures ambition, and builds clear paths for internal growth,” said Khan. “Those who listen, adapt, and invest in the evolving needs of their people will be best positioned to lead in a competitive and increasingly global talent landscape.”
The latest edition of the annual survey – one of the largest in the accounting profession – covered over 10,000 individuals across 175 countries, including India, and highlights a fundamental shift in how professionals view the future of work.
The entrepreneurial outlook is a defining feature of this year’s findings. “This year’s Global Talent Trends Report reveals a pivotal moment for the Indian finance profession,” said Md. Sajid Khan, director-India, ACCA. “With a remarkable 63% of professionals aspiring to become entrepreneurs, and 75% valuing hybrid work options, it’s clear that talent priorities are shifting rapidly.” The report suggests that many see accountancy not just as a stable career but as a springboard to launch their ventures.
The survey also reveals that sustainability is playing a significant role in shaping career paths. Nearly three in four respondents from India – 74% – expressed interest in accountancy roles focused on environmental issues.
This mirrors a global trend where leadership roles increasingly involve sustainability responsibilities. Jamie Lyon, global head of skills, sectors, and technology at ACCA, noted that “one of the exciting themes emerging this year is how accountancy training can be a brilliant early career pathway for building entrepreneurial skills,” reflecting the broader transformation of career ambitions at work.
While enthusiasm for the future is high, so is mobility.
Eight out of ten professionals in India expect to change jobs within the next two years, and 67% believe their next move will take them outside their current organisation. That presents a serious retention challenge for employers, especially as 85% of respondents also expressed a desire to work abroad at some point in their careers.
The call for flexibility remains loud, with over 75% of Indian respondents saying they prefer hybrid work arrangements. Yet 41% continue to work from the office full time, indicating a mismatch between employee expectations and workplace policies. Khan noted that “a growing number, especially from emerging markets like India, are looking beyond borders,” underscoring the need for employers to rethink workplace culture and policies.
Meanwhile, concerns around upskilling persist.
Just over half of respondents (54%) worry they are not developing the right skills for the future, and only 37% say their employers offer opportunities to learn AI-related competencies.
Rising financial anxieties are also influencing workplace dynamics, with 67% expecting a pay raise in the coming year, driven in part by ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
On the diversity front, 55% of Indian professionals said their organisation focuses more on certain aspects of inclusivity than others. Recognition of older employees ranked highest among diversity concerns, suggesting generational bias may be an under-addressed issue in corporate India.
While mental health indicators have shown slight improvement compared to previous years, the numbers remain concerning – 51% of respondents agree that work pressures are affecting their mental well-being.
In another sign of shifting work identities, 32% of respondents across generations said they are engaged in a side hustle or additional employment, posing fresh questions for employers around engagement and loyalty.
“These insights underline the urgent need for employers to reimagine workplace culture, one that encourages flexibility, nurtures ambition, and builds clear paths for internal growth,” said Khan. “Those who listen, adapt, and invest in the evolving needs of their people will be best positioned to lead in a competitive and increasingly global talent landscape.”
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