Networking among sole accounting and auditing practitioners : a study

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on introducing a system of networking. The set-up of the system comprises a kind of alliance whereby its members being sole practitioners pool their competencies and areas of specialisation. Networking eliminates the problem of having to sacrifice the loss of one's clientele, due to lack of expertise. The network eliminates the "isolation" that practising solo brings with it, improve technical support and enhance the public image of the sole practitioner. Forming part of a network gives the sole practitioner greater work and career opportunities. The key research objectives are to evaluate the need for the networking system, and to analyse the ways of how such a networking system may be introduced for its members. The research extended over a period of two months and was carried out through semi-structured interviews among twenty sole practitioners. This study concludes that for most of the sole practitioners, personal networking was nearly impossible to do without. It is only a minority who regard networking as rather useless. While a number of local practitioners carry out their own personal networking, the need to have a national network is not yet clearly perceived. This is probably due to a culture of a lack of co-operation to work with other professionals, unless such professionals are already known in their immediate social circle. The study recommends that: • An appropriate legal framework for the network is set up in Malta. • Assistance is given by the MIA or any other association to help introduce and run the networking system. • The networking system is promoted among practitioners who are in their early years of their practice.