ACCA AND IMA GLOBAL SURVEY FINDS “ROBUST RECOVERY” FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZ...

　　Investment environment improved for UK SMEs who are ‘back in the game’ - UK policies ‘among the most SME-friendly’ globally in 2013 / 14
　　
　　Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) around the world have seen confidence levels rise and economic outlook improve drastically in the twelve months to mid-2014, according to findings from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) in their second Global SME Performance Review.
　　
　　The report Back in the Game suggests that government policy and a more favourable investment environment have both had positive effects on UK SMEs.
　　
　　Charlotte Chung, Senior Policy Advisor at ACCA, explains: 'Globally, ratings of government policy have generally improved with the recovery, reaching positive territory in the UK for the first time. SMEs have become more confident about the sustainability of fiscal policy in the medium term, which is no doubt encouraging them to create jobs and to invest. The UK, along with Singapore and the UAE, had the most SME-friendly policies among the major ACCA/IMA markets in 2013/14.
　　
　　'The investment environment has also improved considerably for SMEs in the UK, but also globally. This has been driven primarily by more available capital and more profitable investment opportunities. Micro and small businesses have experienced the biggest funding boost, as finance finally reached those SMEs that were the most squeezed in the pre-2013 period of rationing and restraint. It was SMEs in the UK, the UAE and Ireland who saw the greatest all-round improvement in the investment environment.'
　　
　　Mid-Market Businesses
　　
　　While SMEs were hit hardest by the economic downturn, they have historically shown greater resilience, compared to their large corporate counterparts. SMEs are seizing new opportunities for economic growth, by embracing innovation, entering new markets and building strong supplier relationships. ACCA/IMA’s first Global SME Performance Review identified mid-market businesses as a distinct group which greatly contributed to economic growth, and the second review has reinforced the two bodies’ conviction.
　　
　　According to Raef Lawson, Ph.D., CMA, CPA, IMA vice president of research, 'Mid-market businesses are the most ambitious and ready for growth.
　　
　　'This group was the most likely to create new jobs during the 2013/14 period and reported the largest increase in job creation, more so than large corporates' Lawson said. 'They also reported the largest net investment in staff development and greatest emphasis on job creation, highlighting a difference in resource prioritisation and allocation between mid-market business and micro, small and medium businesses.'
　　
　　-ENDS-
　　
　　FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
　　
　　Alana Sinnen, ACCA Newsroom
　　
　　tel: + 44 (0) 207 059 5807
　　
　　mob: +44 (0) 7715 812120
　　
　　Twitter @ACCANews
　　
　　alana.sinnen@accaglobal.com
　　
　　Notes to Editors
　　
　　About ACCA
　　
　　ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. We offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.
　　
　　We support our 170,000 members and 436,000 students in 180 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. We work through a network of 91 offices and centres and more than 8,500 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through our public interest remit, we promote appropriate regulation of accounting and conduct relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.
　　
　　Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. We believe that accountants bring value to economies in all stages of development and seek to develop capacity in the profession and encourage the adoption of global standards. Our values are aligned to the needs of employers in all sectors and we ensure that through our qualifications, we prepare accountants for business. We seek to open up the profession to people of all backgrounds and remove artificial barriers, innovating our qualifications and delivery to meet the diverse needs of trainee professionals and their employers.
　　
　　About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
　　
　　IMA®, the association of accountants and financial professionals in business, is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) program, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. IMA has a global network of more than 70,000 members in 140 countries and 300 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Middle East/Africa.
　　
　　The ACCA and IMA joint website, roleofcfo.com, is a resource for finance leaders containing ACCA and IMA reports, research and insights.