The accountancy profession is in transition. Advancing technologies, sustainability and changing attitudes mean that new entrants to the profession must carefully consider the components that build a successful career. But which professional and personal attributes best serve this new era?
Data from ACCA’s Global Talent Trends 2025 (GTT25) has found that building personal networks, independently acquiring new skills and an entrepreneurial mindset all play key roles in building successful working lives.
‘Being prepared to invest in the relationships that matter is essential’
ACCA’s 2025 Top Tips for Career Starters warns that, although it’s well understood that professional relationships are crucial for career success, younger members of the profession may fall into the trap of seeing this as a virtual process. It is not.
‘In a digitally driven world, being prepared to invest in the relationships that matter and not just seeing networking as acquiring online connections is essential,’ the report says. Strong face-to-face relationships matter and are often a ‘differentiator’.
Relationships help professionals negotiate the workplace but also build early-career momentum where the first few years should be used to explore different roles and industries. An accountant should not see themselves as fixed in one role from early on.
Entrepreneurial ambitions
Also of growing importance is an entrepreneurial mindset. The GTT25 study, which analyses the views of 10,000 ACCA members in 176 countries, shows that entrepreneurial ambitions are highest among Gen Z and junior staff.
More Gen Z professionals are also likely to have a ‘side hustle’ – a money-making project outside of full-time work. They do this mostly to increase their income or acquire new skills. Indeed, 47% of junior and entry-level staff say they are ‘worried’ about the cost of living.
But entrepreneurialism is not just about founding a business. An entrepreneurial disposition is now often desired in many finance roles.
‘Commercial acumen and innovating thinking will be increasingly prized’
‘Whatever your chosen career path is,’ says the report, ‘traits such as commercial acumen and innovating thinking will be increasingly prized.’
Training evolves
Learning is also important and should be considered something that continues throughout a career. But it’s clear professionals can no longer rely on their employers to provide the necessary training as economies change.
‘It’s vital that learning is increasingly self-directed, proactive and continually updated,’ the report says.
Tech fears
Nowhere is that more important than with artificial intelligence (AI). The arrival of AI means that roles will change and routine transactional work automated.
Concerns about AI are real. GTT25 reveals that among Gen Z staff, 47% are concerned about the pace of technology change, while 53% are worried about the impact of new technology on their roles. However, just 42% could say that their employers provided the opportunities to learn AI-related skills.
Those views underline the fact that the accountancy workplace will demand a ‘much greater understanding’ of AI along with data literacy. ‘Data-centric skills and tools must be a core part of the future accountant’s toolkit,’ the Starters report says.
Authenticity matters
Professional attributes are important but personal characteristics matter, too. Chief among those are resilience, adaptability and authenticity.
Resilience and adaptability will be crucial over the long term as the workplace evolves, professionals learn from mistakes and new opportunities emerge.
Authenticity is an often overlooked characteristic. Maintaining personal values helps underpin personal connections and is an ‘invaluable trait’ as professionals move to more senior roles.
‘Those who have real success are the ones who love what they do’
‘Authentic leaders are admired because they build trust, have an indelible impact on organisation culture and help their co-workers feel engaged,’ the report says.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that it is difficult to fake enjoying a job. ‘Those who have real success are the ones who love what they do,’ the report says. ‘It’s about finding a purpose in life and ensuring that whatever career path you choose, it ultimately proves to be fulfilling.’
Wellbeing focus
Just because you love your career doesn’t mean it can’t at times be stressful. Any accountant aiming for success will face pressure, which makes protecting your wellbeing essential.
The report finds the largest proportion of entry-level staff, 27%, say their key reason for wanting hybrid working is a better work-life balance. Of Gen Z members, 53% say mental health suffers because of work pressures, while 69% want more support from employers to manage their mental health. Gen Z shows the lowest levels of satisfaction at work, at 39%.
A focus on wellbeing may require hard choices about who to work for to ensure you have an employer that ‘respects your values and supports your personal and professional growth’. Sometimes it is necessary to decline an offer.
As the Starters report adds: ‘It’s important that wellbeing is never sacrificed for work reasons and employees are more productive if their health is good.’
More information
See the global report plus regional versions, key questions for leaders and a focus for employers on supporting hybrid working
