A study on the use of computerised accounting systems by small Maltese companies

Abstract

The computerisation of the various components in small companies has always been regarded as an important way of how efficiency can be increased. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the amount of SME's that use computerised software and the factors that affected their decision. The objectives of the study were achieved by the administration of a questionnaire which was sent to a large amount of entities that fall under the definition of SME's. The results obtained show that the majority of small companies that replied to the survey use a computerised accounting system. Further on the study also identified various factors that influenced the decision as to whether a computerised system or a manual system is used. The study shows that lack of education on the subject was the major factor that hindered the non-users to employ a computerised accounting system. The study therefore recommends that some form of education is provided not only to the non users but also to users. In this way non-users can employ a computerised accounting system whereas users would maximise the benefits which computerised accounting provides.