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Contents
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
Methodology
Page 2
Fourteen per cent of SMEs use a Cloud-based software to manage their accounts.
SME owners / managers aged 18 to 34 are more likely to use a Cloud-based software (31%; cf. those
aged 35 to 49 12%, 50+ 6%).
More accountants (23%) use a Cloud-based software for their client work.
Accountants aged 18 to 34 are more likely to use a Cloud-based software (29%; cf. 35 to 49 21%, 50+
13%).
Adoption of cloud-based software solutions for accounting in 2013 (SMEs and accountants)
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(%)
62%
32%
32%
30%
28%
27%
25%
21%
18%
12%
Don't know
17%
Other
2%
Page 4
3.0 Reasons cited by accountants why they have not adopted cloud
computing
The main reason why some accountants are not using a Cloud-based system is simply because they
have a working system (37%).
Other key reasons include that they have security concerns (31%), they havent had enough time to
investigate (29%) and they are not familiar with what is available (28%).
Accountants working in large businesses (i.e. 200 or more employees) are more likely to have
security concerns (43%; cf. those in small businesses 29%, medium businesses 31%).
Accountants aged 50+ are more likely to be reluctant as they believe their clients are nervous about
Cloud systems (41%; cf. 18 to 34 18%, 35 to 49 23%).
(%)
37%
Security concerns
31%
29%
28%
25%
Downtime
12%
12%
See no benefits
6%
Don't know
16%
Other
5%
37%
Security concerns
31%
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4.0 Will cloud-based software ultimately mean some SMEs replace their
accountants?
Almost two thirds (64%) of SMEs would consider replacing some of the roles that their accountant
currently performs with a Cloud-based accounting system.
This is higher amongst SME owners / managers aged 18 to 34 (86%; cf. those aged 35 to 49 67%, 50+
49%).
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5.0 Are accountants concerned about losing work if SMEs embrace the cloud?
More than half (52%) of accountants surveyed are concerned about losing work due to SMEs
replacing their services with Cloud-based services with only 3% extremely concerned.
Accountants aged 18 to 34 are more likely to be concerned about losing work (58%; cf. those aged
35 to 49 54%, 50+ 36%).
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Six in 10 (60%) accountants who are not currently using a Cloud-based system consider it likely they
will adopt one in the next 2-3 years.
Accountants aged 18 to 34 are more likely to consider adopting a Cloud-based system in the next 2-3
years (66%; cf. those aged 35 to 49 58%, 50+ 53%).
Additionally, half (51%) of accountants who are currently using a Cloud-based system believe that
they are likely to increase their use of Cloud-based accounting software in the next 2-3 years.
Interestingly, more than half (53%) of SME owners / managers would consider looking for a new
accountant if their current accountant was reluctant to investigate and embrace a Cloud-based
accounting software.
This is higher amongst SME owners / managers aged 18 to 34 (72%; cf. those aged 35 to 49 56%, 50+
38%).
Those operating medium businesses (20 to 199 employees) are more likely to consider looking for a
new accountant if their current accountant was reluctant (76%; cf. those operating a small (less than
20 employees) business 46%).
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7.0 For accountants, what are the most important features of cloud-based
software?
(%)
Security
70%
Functionality
65%
Price
57%
Flexibility
48%
Quality of content
31%
Frequency of updates
20%
Scalability
19%
7%
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For SME owners / managers, the most important security factor when considering making the
transition to Cloud computing is the high level of online security of their data (including firewalls,
anti-virus protection, spam filters, etc.) (64%).
This is also the most important security factor for accountants (69%).
Most important security factors considered when making the transition to cloud computing
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9.0
Methodology
The small and medium enterprise (SME) study was conducted among 1,018 business owners or
business decision makers of organisations with 200 employees or less.
The accountant study was conducted among 212 accountants or principals of accounting firms
servicing small and medium enterprises.
Fieldwork commenced on Friday, 8 March and was completed on Thursday, 21 March, 2013. Both
studies were conducted online amongst members of a permission-based panel.
After interviewing, SME data was weighted to the latest business count estimates sourced from the
Australian Bureau of Statistics.
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