The Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), is set to intensify efforts to promote entrepreneurship among its members following new research showing that automation and digital transformation are reshaping traditional accounting careers.
A 2025 ICAG–WACAR study reveals that chartered accountants are increasingly viewing entrepreneurship as a strategic response to job uncertainty, driven by artificial intelligence, automation, and evolving business models.
The research found that while accountants routinely advise entrepreneurs and businesses, many have historically remained in salaried employment. However, the study shows that this trend is changing, with more than nine in ten accountants expressing willingness to start their own businesses.
According to Augustine Addo, FCA, President of ICAG, the findings highlight an urgent need for institutional action.
“As we navigate an era of unprecedented change driven by automation and artificial intelligence, it is imperative that we embrace entrepreneurship as a strategic pathway for career resilience and professional relevance,” he said.
The report dismisses the notion that ethical standards or professional regulations discourage entrepreneurship. Instead, it identifies confidence and practical capability as the main barriers preventing accountants from taking the leap into business ownership.
Acting CEO of ICAG, Osei Adjaye-Gyamfi, FCA, said the Institute intends to respond with targeted interventions.
“This research is a call for collective action,” he said. “Entrepreneurship is not only a viable career model, but also a strategic pillar for professional resilience and sustainable private-sector leadership in Ghana.”
The study found that accountants who work closely with entrepreneurial clients are more likely to consider starting businesses themselves, largely because such exposure builds confidence rather than inspiration alone.
ICAG says it plans to introduce founder-focused workshops, structured mentorship networks, and revised continuing professional development policies that recognise entrepreneurship and business development as core professional competencies.
Researchers argue that unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of chartered accountants could significantly improve business survival rates, financial governance, and accountability across Ghana’s MSME sector.
“As Ghana pushes for private-sector-led growth, chartered accountants represent an underutilised but highly strategic entrepreneurial resource,” the report concludes.
