Latest news with #GlobalTalentTrendsSurvey2025
Biz Bahrain
17-05-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Entrepreneurial ambition and hybrid frustration fuel talent crunch in Middle East finance sector
Over two-thirds (68%) of finance professionals surveyed in the Middle East as part of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)'s Global Talent Trends 2025 study say they aspire to become entrepreneurs – well above the global average of 52% – as regional dissatisfaction with salary and lack of workplace flexibility intensifies. ACCA's (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) latest annual Global Talent Trends Survey 2025 alerts employers to changing perspectives among accountancy and finance professionals, providing a unique view of how people feel about their life at work and future career aspirations. Now in its third year, this is the largest annual talent survey of accountancy and finance professionals across the world. Over 10,000 individuals from 175 countries responded to our survey on issues ranging from career ambitions, hybrid working and inclusivity practices to upskilling, mental health and employability issues. The Middle East findings point to a workplace under pressure – with a looming talent crunch, high turnover expectations, and calls for more inclusive, flexible and supportive environments. This year's emerging key themes for the Middle East are as follows: 1. Entrepreneurial ambition is high. 68% of respondents in the region say they have ambitions to start their own business, compared to 52% globally. This is especially strong among those in leadership roles (79%) and middle management (73%). 2. Employability confidence is strong – and turnover risk is high. 83% expect to change roles within the next two years – the highest figure globally. More than half (55%) say they plan to move within just 12 months. 3. Salary dissatisfaction is driving retention risk. 59% are unhappy with their current salary (vs. 48% globally), and 70% plan to ask for a pay rise in the next year. Half of respondents believe that changing employer is the best way to increase their income. 4. Demand for hybrid work is unmet. 75% of respondents say they would prefer a hybrid model, yet 78% are still fully office-based, a significant mismatch, and the highest office-based rate of any region. 5. Flexible working tops the list of desired benefits. Flexibility is viewed as the most effective employer intervention to improve work–life balance, ahead of workload support and leadership culture. 6. AI skills confidence is high, but organisational support is low. 89% are confident in their ability to learn and apply AI-related skills, but only 26% say they are being offered opportunities by their employers to develop these capabilities. 7. Mental health pressures persist. 47% say their mental health suffers due to work pressures. While this is an improvement on 2024 figures, it continues to reflect challenges across the region. 8. Equity, diversity and inclusion needs greater attention. Only 49% believe their organisation is truly inclusive – well below the global average (62%). Respondents highlight the need for more recognition of older employees, better racial and gender representation, as well as improved socio-economic mobility. 9. 'Side hustles' are less common than globally. Only 28% of Middle East respondents are engaged in additional employment outside their main role, compared with 39% globally. Most respondents are focused on their core role, with career development and fair compensation top of mind. Kush Ahuja, Head of Eurasia & Middle East at ACCA, comments: 'The 2025 talent trends for the Middle East are a clear call to action for employers. Ambition is running high – from entrepreneurship to AI upskilling – but so are frustrations around reward, progression and flexibility. If organisations are to attract and retain the next generation of finance leaders, they must evolve quickly to meet these expectations. The opportunity is there for forward-looking employers to differentiate themselves by investing in people, purpose and potential.' Jamie Lyon FCCA, Global Head of Skills, Sectors, Technology at ACCA said: 'Our 2025 data continues to show a workplace in transition, but one of the exciting themes emerging this year is how accountancy training can be a brilliant early career pathway for building entrepreneurial skills. There's no doubt this in part reflects how career ambitions continue to transform at work.' Read the Middle East Talent Trends report here. Explore the full Global Talent Trends 2025 report here.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More than 50% of finance professionals aim to start own ventures
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has released its annual Global Talent Trends Survey 2025, revealing that more than half of finance professionals have entrepreneurial ambitions. The survey, now in its third year, aims to provide insights into the evolving perspectives of accountancy and finance professionals regarding their careers and workplace experiences. More than 10,000 individuals from 175 countries participated in the survey, addressing topics such as career ambitions, hybrid working, inclusivity, upskilling, mental health, and employability. Many respondents view accountancy as a stepping stone to entrepreneurship, with 52% indicating aspirations to run their own businesses in the future. The survey highlighted the growing need for accountants to apply entrepreneurial skills in finance and business roles, where attributes such as commerciality and innovation are highly valued. This year's themes also include sustainability, employability, and hybrid working arrangements. Interest in sustainability-related careers is strong, with 67% of respondents keen on pursuing accountancy roles focused on environmental issues, the report said. Currently, 48% of wider leadership roles below board level and 35% of middle management roles in finance involve sustainability responsibilities. Employability confidence is also high, with 62% of respondents expecting to change roles within two years and 58% anticipating their next role to be outside their current organisation, posing a retention challenge for employers. Additionally, 76% prefer hybrid working arrangements, yet 51% still work full-time in offices. Diversity concerns are evident, with 45% of respondents noting a focus on certain diversity aspects over others, particularly the recognition of older employees. The cost-of-living crisis remains a top workplace concern, with 41% expecting a pay rise of at least 11% in the next year. Skill development is another concern, with half of respondents worried about not acquiring future workplace skills, and 32% reporting opportunities to learn AI-related skills. Mental health indicators show slight improvement, yet 52% still experience work-related mental health challenges. The rise of the 'side hustle' is noted, with 43% of Gen Z and 39% across all generations engaged in additional employment, presenting further engagement and retention challenges for employers. Accountancy continues to be a valued passport to global careers, with 72% of Gen Z and 52% of Gen Y expressing interest in international career opportunities. ACCA FCCA global head of skills, sectors and technology Jamie Lyon said: 'Our 2025 data continues to show a workplace in transition, but one of the exciting themes emerging this year is how accountancy training can be a brilliant early career pathway for building entrepreneurial skills. 'There is no doubt this in part reflects how career ambitions continue to transform at work.' "More than 50% of finance professionals aim to start own ventures " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian accountants worried about AI, tech changes, says ACCA survey
More than half of Indian accountants taking part in a global survey have flagged concerns about not being able to develop the required future skills due to the rapidly changing pace of technology and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their roles. 'This concern is inversely proportional to seniority – where mid- and junior-level professionals are more worried than senior leadership and board-level respondents,' the third annual Global Talent Trends Survey 2025 by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) found. Fifty-four per cent of India respondents are concerned about not developing the required future skills, higher than the global average of 50 per cent. Over half also felt overwhelmed by AI and technology, which the survey said explains why AI was identified as the most valuable skill by 43 per cent in India, compared to a global average of 36 per cent. 'To thrive in the future workplace, a thorough understanding of technology is non-negotiable. I feel very excited to see that finance professionals are getting more comfortable with technology,' Emma Jindal, CFO of Accenture, India, said in the survey. Only 37 per cent of respondents said that their organisation was providing opportunities to learn AI-related skills. While 41 per cent of respondents from India were fully office-based, only 13 per cent would prefer to be, with 75 per cent favouring hybrid working. Forty-five per cent of respondents were working in a hybrid model. The ACCA survey also noted that the proportion of fully office-based professionals has consistently increased over the last three years – up from 30 per cent in 2023 and 34 per cent in 2024 to 41 per cent in 2025. 'Flexible work and hybrid or remote working are consistently cited across all sectors as the most valued (49 per cent) benefits an employer can provide to support a positive work-life balance,' the survey said. However, the global survey suggested that audit firms' apprenticeship models, quality on-the-job training, progression opportunities and consistent organisational culture have all been negatively impacted through the adoption of remote work. 'Indirectly, this could have an impact on audit quality too,' the survey said.
Mid East Info
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Entrepreneurial ambition and hybrid frustration fuel talent crunch in Middle East finance sector - Middle East Business News and Information
Over two-thirds (68%) of finance professionals surveyed in the Middle East as part of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)'s Global Talent Trends 2025 study say they aspire to become entrepreneurs – well above the global average of 52% – as regional dissatisfaction with salary and lack of workplace flexibility intensifies. ACCA's (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) latest annual Global Talent Trends Survey 2025 alerts employers to changing perspectives among accountancy and finance professionals, providing a unique view of how people feel about their life at work and future career aspirations. Now in its third year, this is the largest annual talent survey of accountancy and finance professionals across the world. Over 10,000 individuals from 175 countries responded to our survey on issues ranging from career ambitions, hybrid working and inclusivity practices to upskilling, mental health and employability issues. The Middle East findings point to a workplace under pressure – with a looming talent crunch, high turnover expectations, and calls for more inclusive, flexible and supportive environments. This year's emerging key themes for the Middle East are as follows: Entrepreneurial ambition is high. 68% of respondents in the region say they have ambitions to start their own business, compared to 52% globally. This is especially strong among those in leadership roles (79%) and middle management (73%). Employability confidence is strong – and turnover risk is high. 83% expect to change roles within the next two years – the highest figure globally. More than half (55%) say they plan to move within just 12 months. Salary dissatisfaction is driving retention risk. 59% are unhappy with their current salary (vs. 48% globally), and 70% plan to ask for a pay rise in the next year. Half of respondents believe that changing employer is the best way to increase their income. Demand for hybrid work is unmet. 75% of respondents say they would prefer a hybrid model, yet 78% are still fully office-based, a significant mismatch, and the highest office-based rate of any region. Flexible working tops the list of desired benefits. Flexibility is viewed as the most effective employer intervention to improve work–life balance, ahead of workload support and leadership culture. AI skills confidence is high, but organisational support is low. 89% are confident in their ability to learn and apply AI-related skills, but only 26% say they are being offered opportunities by their employers to develop these capabilities. Mental health pressures persist. 47% say their mental health suffers due to work pressures. While this is an improvement on 2024 figures, it continues to reflect challenges across the region. Equity, diversity and inclusion needs greater attention. Only 49% believe their organisation is truly inclusive – well below the global average (62%). Respondents highlight the need for more recognition of older employees, better racial and gender representation, as well as improved socio-economic mobility. 'Side hustles' are less common than globally. Only 28% of Middle East respondents are engaged in additional employment outside their main role, compared with 39% globally. Most respondents are focused on their core role, with career development and fair compensation top of mind. Kush Ahuja, Head of Eurasia & Middle East at ACCA, comments: 'The 2025 talent trends for the Middle East are a clear call to action for employers. Ambition is running high – from entrepreneurship to AI upskilling – but so are frustrations around reward, progression and flexibility. If organisations are to attract and retain the next generation of finance leaders, they must evolve quickly to meet these expectations. The opportunity is there for forward-looking employers to differentiate themselves by investing in people, purpose and potential.' Jamie Lyon FCCA, Global Head of Skills, Sectors, Technology at ACCA said: 'Our 2025 data continues to show a workplace in transition, but one of the exciting themes emerging this year is how accountancy training can be a brilliant early career pathway for building entrepreneurial skills. There's no doubt this in part reflects how career ambitions continue to transform at work.'
