The Role of Small and Medium Practices in Providing Business Support to Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises

This Paper analyses the literature and evidence base on the role of accounting practices, and in particular small and medium practices (SMPs) in providing business support to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

This research, which was commissioned by the IFAC SMP Committee, was prompted by the apparent shift in the market away from traditional statutory compliance type services towards satisfying a demand from SMEs for services of a business advisory nature. The aim of the paper is to examine the evidence as to what services are being provided and to better understand the relationship between SMPs and SMEs.

It is anticipated that this paper will provide a useful and helpful reference point for member bodies of IFAC in developing policy, training and products to meet the growing needs of SMPs in providing these services to SMEs.