Malaysian women’s entrepreneurial spirit soars to 50%

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) – Half of women working in finance and accountancy in Malaysia now aspire to start their own businesses, up from 43% last year, according to early findings from a global survey by ACCA, the professional accountancy body.

The data, drawn from a survey of over 11,000 finance professionals across 175 countries — with the full report due in May 2026 — points to growing confidence among women in leveraging finance and accountancy training as a springboard for entrepreneurship.

While overall entrepreneurial ambition remains higher among men, the narrowing gender gap signals a significant shift in career confidence and long-term aspirations.

The trend is especially pronounced among younger female professionals, with half of GenZ and millennial respondents expressing a desire to become entrepreneurs, reflecting a generational push toward independence, impact and financial self-reliance.

“Entrepreneurship is a clear expression of economic empowerment,” said ACCA CEO Helen Brand.

“The increasing number of women aspiring to own businesses is an encouraging sign that finance and accountancy skills are equipping women not just to lead within organisations but to create their own enterprises.”

Andrew Lim, head of ACCA Maritime South-East Asia, said the drive toward entrepreneurship is especially evident among younger professionals.

“They see accountancy as more than just a technical discipline; it’s a launchpad for innovation, independence, and making an impact. While there’s still work to be done to achieve gender parity, the trend is clear — the profession is helping to unlock entrepreneurial potential on a large scale.”