Research Confirms SMEs Rate Advice from Accountants Most Highly


Accountants are the most used and most effective source of business advice to small and medium-sized enterprises, ahead of banks, solicitors, trade associations and SME organisations, according to major new research carried out by Kingston University into the SME sector.

The report, Who are the Entrepreneurs? A Survey of the Owners of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, interviewed the owners of 360 SME businesses employing between 5 to 249 employees in 20 minute telephone interviews between May and June 2002. The report shows that over two thirds (67.8%) of SME business used accountants for advice and support in running their business with a third (31.3%) listing them as the most effective source. This is far above all other advisers.



All news and features older than 7 days are subscription only. This article is from the archive. Archived articles could only be accessed with the subscription. If you are a subscriber please log in, alternatively you need to purchase a subscription to view the full content for this page.