More than two thirds of small business owners would turn to their accountant if experiencing banking problems, new research has found.
The poll is further evidence that small businesses are increasingly turning to their accountants for expertise on a wide range of issues, Venture Finance, who conducted the research, claimed.
The company said accountants were playing an increasingly sophisticated role within the small business sector.
“Small businesses employ 58% of the private sector workforce and contribute 50% of UK GDP,” said Steve Websdale, director of Venture Finance.
“Their success is vital to the economic well-being of the country. It is in the interests of the whole of the
UK
to ensure that they can succeed and they need affordable, reliable banking services to do so.
“In light of increasing financial options accountants are increasingly expected to play the role of protector and guide.”
A separate poll by software providers Sage, found that n
early a quarter of business owners believe their firm would not survive without their accountant.
Nearly 60% of those surveyed said accountants provided non-financial advice and 14% said they had even received IT help.
Over three quarters (76%) of business owners said
their relationship with their accountant is very important to the smooth running of their business, and 31% said their accountant had a direct influence on the company’s revenues.
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