Leading a finance team, taking on a specialist role and working abroad are the top three career aspirations highly rated by ACCA members, who want to achieve their future ambitions within a specific timeframe, according to the institute's global careers survey.

An ACCA survey among members found that 73% of respondents around the world aim to fulfil their career ambitions in the next four years, with 61% saying this meant taking on a more senior position.

One in three intends sticking with their current employer for more than three years, suggesting that most are aiming for an in-house promotion. Over the past year, 31% of those polled have changed jobs, with more than half of such job moves taking place within the same organisation.

The research also showed that around two thirds (63%) of ACCA members surveyed have multi-sector experience, particularly at senior levels such as chief executive, CFO or audit director where 70% have moved to and from the corporate sector. In contrast, proprietors, managing partners, partners and sole practitioners are less likely to do so (40%). Globally, a third (32%) are thinking of starting their own business later in their careers.

Neil Stevenson, ACCA's executive director, said that the results indicated many believe working abroad is key to expanding career horizons, with 66% valuing the opportunity to gain additional skills and knowledge, and 62% looking to experience another culture.

'This ties in very well with ACCA's core values of opportunity and diversity. It is also consistent with our overall belief that the ACCA qualification opens up truly mobile career options across sectors and borders. This survey provides evidence that many of our members have been able to benefit from flexible and fulfilling career paths to suit their aspirations,' Stevenson said.