The Count on Accountants research, conducted by Sage, revealed that 91% of SMEs consider that their accountant is a vital adviser to their business, although nearly two-thirds, 64% of accountants believe that SMEs underestimate their value. However, Sage states that this ‘lags reality’ with nearly half, 49%, of SMEs going to their accountant for strategic business guidance.

The study also found that 92% of SMEs use the services of an accountant, with half, 49%, using their services at least weekly.

When asked what services they would go to when first starting a business, 34% of SMEs named accountants as the number one ‘go to service’. 

Sage states that its research has stressed the importance of accountants in response to the changing world with 39% of SMEs naming Making Tax Digital (MTD) as their number one reason for using accountancy services and 18% named Brexit as a driving factor.