IPA LEADING GLOBAL VOICE FOR SME SECTOR

The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and Deakin University SME Research Partnership has expanded to become a dedicated SME Research Centre to be located at Deakin University’s Business School and is set to drive the development of small business globally.

“The IPA Deakin University SME Research Centre has appointed a senior academic team to the research team to adapt a UK version of the Australian Small Business White Paper,” said IPA Group chief executive officer, Andrew Conway.

Prof Conway made this announcement in his speech at a special event to celebrate the centenary of the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) at the House of Commons in London this week.

“We have had significant success with our Small Business White Paper initiative in Australia; rather than simply talking about small business as the ‘engine room of the economy’, we are providing an evidence base as the foundation of future policy.

“When the IFA joined with the IPA in 2015 to form the largest SME-focused accounting organisation in the world, we made a pledge to our UK members to ensure we provided a world-leading credible voice for small businesses and the professionals who support them.
“The research will drive applied academic research in relation to SMEs with expanded reference to the growth of SMEs and their respective trade links globally.

“This will be important in light of the impact of Brexit on the economy and business in general and particularly in considering trade and investment while the free trade agreement