Accountants and Small Firm Development: Filling the Expectation Gap

As a supplier of rzecessaty expertise, the professional accountantis in a potentially strong position to influence the small business.Previous research indicates, howevec that the injluence of theaccountant on the performance of the smallfirm is limited. Thispaper examines the relationship between small firms and theaccountancy profession in the North East of international. It is basedon two surveys of 31 small businesses and 33 accountancypractices. It reveals a mismatch in the expectations of the twogroups- and argues that if the accountancy profession is to fulfilits potential in assisting small firms develop and improve theirmanagement capability, changes are required in the wayaccountancy services are marketed and provided.