Manchester, UK – 9th March, 2009 – According to Sage, a leading supplier of business software, small businesses are turning to their accountants before banks in their hunt for sound business advice.  As a trusted advisor to SMEs, Sage works with 780,000 businesses and over 14,000 accountants in the UK.

Pulse 2009, a survey which was commissioned by Sage’s Accountants’ Division to identify the current issues facing businesses and their accountants, reveals that 75% of accountants believe they are now a key source of business advice for SMEs. It also highlights that dealing with the effects of the recession; remaining competitive in a global market; being recession proof, and changes in tax legislation are the top challenges for business for the coming five years. 

As banks step up to promote their image as trusted advisors,  accountants are already viewed by their clients as their key confidents,  followed by banks (31%) and industry trade associations (29%).   This year, businesses are calling for accountants to get under the skin of their business with half of SMEs stating they will stay with their accountant and continue to seek their counsel because they understand the ins and outs of their business - and are asking for more face-to-face time to provide them with a higher level of reassurance.

In addition to core accounting services and management accounting, Pulse reveals that the SMEs are also contacting their accountant for advice on tax planning (44%) and financial advice (e.g. pensions and investment – 39%).   Furthermore, the research offers guidance as to how accountants can improve and develop their relationship with their clients, with businesses suggesting that accountants should stick to deadlines (37%), have more regular contact (35%) and improve their IT (19%). 

Greg Ford, Managing Director of Sage’s Accountants’ Division comments; “The research reinforces that during these difficult times, businesses expect more from their accountant and are going to them for general business consultancy rather than just number crunching.  Our role is to support and help accountants overcome the day-to-day practicalities of running their practice so they can focus on what’s important to them and their clients.”