Recent global talent research from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), shows that entrepreneurial ambition among women in finance and accountancy is growing. Nearly half (48%) of female professionals surveyed said they would like to start their own business, an increase from 45% the previous year.
The findings are based on responses from more than 11,000 finance professionals in 175 countries and highlight a wider shift in how the profession is evolving. Many respondents believe the knowledge and experience gained in finance roles provide a strong platform for business ownership, with around half saying their skillset equips them well for entrepreneurship.
ACCA chief executive Helen Brand described the trend as an encouraging sign of progress. “Entrepreneurship represents economic empowerment in action,” she said. “Finance and accountancy skills are equipping women not only to lead within organisations, but to build enterprises of their own.”
Accountancy as a Springboard for Business Ownership
For many professionals, starting an accounting practice represents the most direct route to independence, allowing them to combine professional expertise with business ownership and greater control over their working lives.
Jamie Lyon, ACCA’s global head of skills, sector and technology, believes the profession is increasingly being viewed through this lens, particularly by younger professionals.
“Accountancy is no longer seen purely as a technical career path,” he said. “It’s also becoming a launchpad for innovation, independence and the opportunity to make a broader impact.”
However, while the technical knowledge is often already in place, moving from employment into business ownership can still feel like a significant step. Running a successful firm involves far more than delivering accounting services – it also means managing marketing, recruitment, compliance, operations and long-term strategy.
For many aspiring practice owners, the breadth of those responsibilities can be one of the biggest barriers to taking the leap.
Turning Ambition into Reality
This is where structured support can make a meaningful difference.
Business networks such as TaxAssist Accountants provide a framework for accountants who want to run their own practice while benefiting from the systems, infrastructure and shared experience of an established brand.
Within the network, accountants can choose to launch a brand-new practice, acquire an existing client portfolio or convert their current firm into part of a recognised national network.
Samantha Skyring, Head of Network Development at TaxAssist Accountants, works closely with individuals exploring practice ownership and believes the rise in entrepreneurial ambition among women reflects a broader cultural shift across the profession.
“Many women working in finance already possess the technical knowledge and commercial awareness needed to build a successful accountancy practice,” she explains.
“Where the right support network exists, it can give people the confidence to take that next step. At TaxAssist, franchisees benefit from mentoring, training and guidance from a wider community of accountants, so they’re never building their business in isolation.”
Creating a Valuable Long-Term Asset
The experiences of women within the TaxAssist network illustrate how practice ownership can transform both career paths and long-term financial prospects.
Karen Goncalves launched her own TaxAssist Accountants practice in 2024 after leaving a corporate finance role. She says the systems and support provided by the network played a key role in helping her establish and grow her business.
“The ongoing support from the Support Centre has been fantastic,” she says. “There’s always marketing assistance, technical advice and encouragement when you need it.”
Lan Eadie purchased a TaxAssist Accountants franchise resale in Truro in 2025 and says the strength of the support network was a major factor in helping her confidently take the step into practice ownership.
“The training and support from TaxAssist Accountants have been outstanding,” she says. “Every department has a dedicated team of experts who are highly knowledgeable and committed to their area of expertise.”
Another example is Olivia Palios, who joined the network at just 21 and became the youngest female TaxAssist franchisee at the time.
Over the following decade she built a thriving practice serving more than 450 clients across two shopfront locations, employing a small team and developing a third practice that she later sold. When she exited the network in 2025 after selling her businesses, the result reflected the significant value that can be created through practice ownership.
“I’m now in a fantastic financial position thanks to the brand,” she said. “I’m looking to pay off my mortgage in full and live mortgage-free by the age of 31.”
Her journey highlights how building an accountancy practice can create not only professional independence, but also a valuable long-term business asset.
Supporting Women to Succeed
This year’s International Women’s Day theme – Give to Gain – focuses on the idea that sharing knowledge, opportunities and resources can help more women reach their potential.
Within the accountancy profession, that principle is particularly relevant. Mentoring, collaboration and access to support networks can help aspiring practice owners navigate the transition into entrepreneurship and build stronger, more sustainable businesses.
As more women consider the possibility of running their own practice, the message is becoming clearer: with the right foundations and support, accountancy can offer far more than a traditional career path – it can be the starting point for building a successful business.
Thinking About Starting Your Own Practice?
If you’re considering starting your own accounting practice and want to explore how a structured franchise model could support you, the TaxAssist Accountants team can help you understand the options available.
From training and mentoring to marketing and operational systems, joining an established network can provide the support many accountants value when making the transition from employment to business ownership.
Speak to our franchise recruitment team to learn more about how you could start and grow your own practice with the backing of the TaxAssist Accountants network.
