Women in Finance Drive Malaysia’s Entrepreneurial Future

By Associate Professor Dr Ricky Wong, Associate Head of Accountancy, Economics and Finance at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia,

Malaysia stands at a pivotal moment in its economic evolution. As the nation seeks to strengthen innovation, accelerate SME growth, and build a more resilient business ecosystem, a key development deserves greater attention: the rising entrepreneurial ambition among women in finance.

Findings from ACCA’s Global Talent Trends 2026 report show that 50% of women in finance in Malaysia now aspire to become entrepreneurs, up from 43% previously. At the same time, the gender gap in entrepreneurial ambition is narrowing, signalling a meaningful shift in confidence, career aspirations, and leadership perceptions among women professionals.

This trend matters because it goes beyond workforce sentiment. It reflects a deeper transformation in how talent may shape Malaysia’s future innovation capacity, business creation, and economic resilience. This is more than a workforce trend. It is an economic opportunity.

A growing number of women in finance are redefining what success looks like. Where finance and accountancy were once seen primarily as pathways to stable employment and corporate progression, they are now increasingly viewed as platforms for business ownership, entrepreneurship, and enterprise creation.

Women in finance

From an expert perspective, this shift reflects how professional training in finance equips women with more than technical knowledge. It provides strategic tools such as financial literacy, risk awareness, governance understanding, and business planning capability. These competencies build credibility and confidence, both of which are essential for leadership and business ownership in competitive markets.

This momentum also aligns with national efforts to strengthen women’s participation in entrepreneurship. The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives has launched the Women Entrepreneurs Economic Fund Initiative (DEWI), valued at nearly RM3 billion, aimed at empowering between 200,000 and 300,000 women entrepreneurs in the MSME sector. By consolidating earlier programmes and expanding financing support, the initiative reinforces the view that women’s entrepreneurship is a central driver of economic development.

The timing is significant. Finance professionals are uniquely positioned to contribute to enterprise growth because their skill sets are directly aligned with the demands of sustainable business building. They understand cash flow discipline, governance structures, financial planning, and long-term value creation. These are essential foundations for scaling SMEs and navigating economic uncertainty.

Importantly, entrepreneurship today is not only about innovation and creativity. It also requires disciplined execution, strategic decision-making, and financial resilience. Women with finance and accountancy backgrounds are therefore well placed to bridge analytical capability with commercial ambition, enabling businesses to grow in a structured and sustainable way.

The rise in entrepreneurial ambition among women also signals a broader mindset shift. Increasingly, leadership is no longer viewed as something confined to corporate hierarchies. Instead, it is being redefined through business ownership, influence, and the creation of ventures that generate both economic and social value.

SME landscape

This shift is particularly relevant for Malaysia’s SME landscape. SMEs form the backbone of the national economy, contributing significantly to employment and business activity. However, many continue to face challenges in areas such as financial management, scalability, digital transformation, and sustainability. Greater participation of women finance professionals in entrepreneurship can help address these gaps while introducing more diverse approaches to problem-solving and innovation.

Research consistently shows that women-led businesses often demonstrate stronger emphasis on long-term resilience, inclusive leadership, and sustainable practices. Diversity in leadership further enhances innovation by broadening perspectives and improving decision-making adaptability. In a rapidly evolving global economy, these are not optional advantages but essential competitiveness factors.

Educational institutions also play a critical role in sustaining this momentum. Universities must go beyond technical training and actively develop entrepreneurial mindsets alongside academic excellence. Institutions such as Heriot-Watt University Malaysia can contribute meaningfully through structured leadership development programmes and entrepreneurship-focused learning.

This includes confidence-building initiatives such as leadership and entrepreneurial skills training, alongside strong industry networks that connect students to alumni and professionals. Mentorship is equally important, providing one-on-one guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and finance leaders who can support early-stage decision-making and career transitions.

Experiential learning is another key enabler. Through initiatives such as EmPOWER, students gain exposure to incubators, student-led startups, and real-world finance projects. These experiences help bridge the gap between theory and practice while developing the resilience needed for entrepreneurial success.

To fully unlock this potential, collaboration is essential. Policymakers, businesses, and educators must work together to invest in women’s entrepreneurial development, ensuring that financial support, training, and ecosystem access are aligned. At the same time, aspiring women finance professionals are encouraged to view their qualifications not only as a pathway to employment, but as a foundation for business ownership and leadership.

As more women view finance qualifications as a springboard for entrepreneurship, Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem becomes stronger, more inclusive, and better positioned for long-term growth.

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