International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

search-icon

Micro Businesses: Do They Need Accounting?

Open access
The contribution of micro enterprises (MEs) is essential towards economy development in Malaysia. MEs provided job opportunities to the people, especially to those with low-incomes, and also offer more affordable goods and services to the public. Despite having advantages, current MEs are still unrecognised and it is hard to see positive development in terms of growth. This study aims to explore the current accounting record keeping practices among MEs owners in Kelantan, Malaysia, and the extent of use of accounting information in the business decision making. The data was collected through random sampling method of survey questionnaires to 500 micro-business owners, however only 150 were agreed to involved, given a response rate of 30%. Descriptive analysis was applied and the findings of this study revealed that the majority of the MEs owners do not keep complete accounting records with some of them not keeping any record at all. It shows lack of accounting knowledge and existence of unused accounting information in the business. This study recommends the development of a simple accounting module for MEs and provides training and continuous support to help the MEs. This study also recommends that the regulators enforce mandatory record keeping to improve accounting practices in Malaysia.
Abdullahi, M. (2014). An evaluation of the role of accounting information to the sustainable development of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria. In the Proceedings of the Multi-Disciplinary Academic Conference on Sustainable Development, M.L. Audu Auditorium, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.

Abuka, C.K., & Ekwe, M.C. (2014). Accounting Skills for Sustainable Development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Taraba State of Nigeria. International Journal of Education Learning and Development, 2(2), 39-49.

Ahmad, K., & Zambri. M.S. (2015). Factors explaining the use of management accounting practices in Malaysian medium-sized firms. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 22(4), 762-781.

Ahmad, N.N. (2016). Cash management practices in micro and small businesses in Malaysia. Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 4, 331-335.

Akram, M.W. (2015). Business constraints and growth potential of small and medium enterprises (SMEs): A case study of electrical fitting accessories manufacturers in Sargodha (Master’s thesis, University of Sarghoda, Pakistan). Retrieved from http://www.scci.pk/uploads/documents/1438839781.pdf

Al Mamun, A., & Ekpe, I. (2016). Entrepreneurial traits and micro-enterprise performance: A study among women micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Development in Practice, 26(2), 193-202.

Amidu, M., Effah, J., & Abor, J. (2011). E-accounting practices among small and medium enterprises in Ghana. Journal of Management Policy and Practice, 12(4), 146-155.

Amoako, G., (2013). Accounting practices of SMEs: A case study of Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana. International Journal of Business and Management, 8(24), 73-83.

Aren, A. O., & Sibindi, A. B. (2014). Cash flow management practices: An empirical study of small businesses operating in the South African retail sector. Risk governance & control: Financial markets & institutions, 4(2), 87-100.

Berger, A. N., & Udell, G.F. (1998). The economics of small business finance: The roles of private equity and debt markets in the financial growth cycle. Journal of Banking & Finance, 22(6), 613-673.

Bushman, R., Chen, Q., Engel, E., & Smith, A. (2004). Financial accounting information, organizational complexity and corporate governance systems. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 37(2), 167-201.

Cassells, S., & Lewis, K. (2011). SMEs and environmental responsibility: Do actions reflect attitudes?. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 18(3), 186-199.

Chashmi, N.A., & Fadaee, M. (2016). Impact of financial performance and growth opportunities on success or failure of companies: Evidence from Tehran stock exchange. Journal of Accounting & Marketing, 5(2), 1-4.

Cheng, W.-H., Abdul Kadir, K., Abdul Manaf, B. (2014). The Strategic Planning of SMEs in Malaysia. International Journal of Business and Society, 15(3), 437-446.

Creswell, J.W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches.
(3rd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

Enow, S.T., & Kamala, P. (2016). Cash management practices of small, medium and micro enterprises in the Cape Metropolis, South Africa. Investment Management and Financial Innovations, 13(1), 230-236.

Garg, I., & Walia, S. (2012). Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) in Post Reform India: status & performance. International Journal of Latest Trends in Engineering and Technology, 1, 134-141.

Gaskill, L.R., Van Auken, H.E., & Manning, R.A. (1993). A factor analytic study of the perceived causes of small business failure. Journal of Small Business Management, 34(4), 18-31.

Gichaaga, P.M., (2014). Effects of management accounting practices on financial performance of manufacturing companies in Kenya (Mester’s thesis, University of Narobi, Kenya). Retrieved from
http://chss.uonbi.ac.ke/sites/default/files/chss/EFFECTS%20OF%20MANAGEMENT%20ACCOUNTING%20PRACTICES%20ON%20FINANCIAL%20PERFORMANCE%20OF%20MANUFACTURING%20COMPANIES%20IN%20KENYA%20Peter.pdf

Gupta, P.D., Guha, S., & Krishnaswami, S.S. (2013). Firm growth and its determinants. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2(15), 1-14.

Hairuddin, H., Noor, N.L.M., & Ab Malik, A.M. (2012). Why do microenterprise refuse to use information technology: A case of batik microenterprises in Malaysia. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 57, 494-502.

Holden, P. (2016). Top reasons why SMEs fail in Malaysia. Retrieved from http://blog.crowdplus.asia/top-reasons-smes-fail-malaysia-crowdplus-asia-can-help/

Hoq, M.Z., Ha, N.C., & Said, S. M. (2009). SMEs in the Malaysian Economy. International Journal of Marketing Studies, 1(2), 3-17.

Husin, M.A., & Ibrahim, M.D. (2014). The role of accounting services and impact on Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) performance in manufacturing sector from East Coast Region of Malaysia: A conceptual paper. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 115, 54-67.

Isa, C.R., Saleh, Z., & Sapiei, N.S. (2008). A survey on financial and management accounting practices among Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia. Journal of Accounting Perspectives, 1, 13-25.

Ismail, I.A. (2014). Financial cash flow determinants of company failure in the construction industry (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Michigan: USA).
Retrieved from http://pathfinder.engin.umich.edu/documents/IhabIsmail.PhDDissertation.2014.pdf

Jamak, A.B.S.A., Salleh, R., Sivapalan, S., & Abdullah, A. (2011). Entrepreneurial challenges confronting micro-enterprise of Malaysian Malays. World Academy of Science, Engineering & Technology, 59, 862-867.

Jamak, A.B.S.A., Salleh, R., Sivapalan, S., & Abdullah, A. (2012). Micro business enterprise of Bumiputera Malays, Malaysia. African Journal of Business Management, 6 (22), 6504-6510.

Jamak, A.B.S.A., Ali, R.M.M., & Ghazali, Z. (2014). A breakout strategy model of Malay (Malaysian indigenous) micro-entrepreneurs. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 109, 572-583.

James, S., & Nobes, C. (2002). The Economics of Taxation: Principles, Policy and Practice (7th ed. updated). Harlow: Financial Times/Prentice Hall.

Jayabalan, J., Raman, M., Dorasamy, M., & Ching, N.K.C. (2009). Outsourcing of accounting functions amongst SME companies in Malaysia: An exploratory study. Accountancy Business and the Public Interest, 8(2), 96-114.

Jebna, A.K.K., & Baharudin, A.S. (2013). Factors affecting small and medium enterprises success: an exploratory study. Jurnal Teknologi (Sciences and Engineering), 64(3), 69-72.

Kaya,S., & Alpkan, L. (2012). Problems and solution proposals for SMEs in Turkey. Emerging Market Journals, 2, 30-45.

Khalique, M., Isa., A.H.M., Abdul, J., Shaari, N., & Ageel, A. (2011). Challenges faced by the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia: an intellectual capital perspective. International Journal of Current Research, 3(6), 398-401.

Madurapperuma, M. W., Thilakerathne, P.M.C., & Manawadu, I.N. (2016). Accounting record keeping practices in Small and Medium Sized Enterprise's (SME's) in Sri Lanka. Journal of Finance and Accounting, 4(4), 188-193.

Maseko, N., & Manyani, O. (2011). Accounting practices of SMEs in Zimbabwe: An investigative study of record keeping for performance measurement (A case study of Bindura). Journal of Accounting and Taxation, 3(8), 171-181.

Mat, T.Z.T., & Smith, M. (2011). Changes in management accounting practices in Malaysia. Asian Review of Accounting, 19(3), 221-242.

Mazzarol, T., Reboud, S., & Clark, D. (2015). The financial management practices of small to medium enterprises. In Proceedings of the 28th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand (SEAANZ) Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Mbroh, J.K., & Attom, B.E. (2011). Accounting and control systems practiced by Small and Micro Enterprise Owners within the Cape Coast Metropolitan area of Ghana. Asian Journal of Business and Management Sciences, 1(9), 28-47.

Mohamad, M. R., & Sidek, S. (2013). The Role of entrepreneurial competencies as a mediator in the relationship between microfinance and small business growth. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business, 1(1), 21-31.

Motlagh, A.J. (2013). Accounting: Cash flow statement. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 7(4), 109-116.

Muchira, B.W. (2007). Record keeping and growth of micro and small enterprises, a case study of Thika Municipality in Kenya (Master’s thesis, Kenyatta University, Kenya). Retrieved from
http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/123456789/7122/Bancy%20Wawira%20Muchira.pdf?sequence=1

Muhindo, A., Mzuza, M.K., & Zhou, J. (2014). Impact of accounting information systems on profitability of small scale businesses: A case of Kampala City in Uganda. International Journal of Academic Research in Management, 3(2), 185-192.

Musa, M., Shuib, R., Hafizah, N., Isa, S.M., Osman, I., & Abu Bakar, S. (2016). A study of women micro entrepreneurs in Malaysia: Livelihood strategies and challenges. In Proceedings of the 3rd Kanita Postgraduate International Conference on Gender Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia.

Nichter, S., & Goldmark, L. (2009). Small firm growth in developing countries. World Development, 37(9), 1453-1464.

Nwobu, O., Faboyede, S., & Onwuelingo, A. (2015). The role of accounting services in small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria. Journal of Accounting, Business & Management, 22(1), 55-63.

Olatunji, T.E. (2013). The impact of accounting system on the performance of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria-a survey of SMEs in Oyo State-Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Management Invention, 2(9), 13-17.

Osotimehin, K. O., Jegede, C. A., Akinlabi, B. H., & Olajide, O. T. (2012). An evaluation of the challenges and prospects of micro and small scale enterprises development in Nigeria. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 2(4), 174-185.

Rahman, N.A., Yaacob, Z., & Mat Radzi, R. (2016). The challenges among Malaysian SME: A theoretical perspective. World Journal of Social Sciences, 6(3), 124-132.

Ramli, A. (2015). The status of accounting information systems (AIS) adoption in the hotel industry. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business, 3(1), 46-59.

Rasiah, R. (2002). Government-business coordination and small enterprise performance in the machine tools sector in Malaysia. Small Business Economics, 18(1-3), 177-194.

Rasli, A. M., Norhalim, N., Kowang, T. O., & Qureshi, M. I. (2014). Applying managerial competencies to overcome business constraints and create values evidence from small technology-based firms in Malaysia. Journal of Management Info, 3(1), 99-121.

Rogerson, C.M. (2000). Successful SMEs in South Africa. The case of clothing producers in the Witwatersrand. Development Southern Africa, 17(5), 37-41.

Saleh, A.S., Caputi, P., & Harvie, C. (2008). Perceptions of business challenges facing Malaysian SMEs: some preliminary results. In the Proceedings of 5th SMEs in a Global Economy Conference, Senshu University, Tokyo, Japan:

Salleh, F., & Ibrahim, M.D. (2011). Demographic characteristics differences of risk taking propensity among micro and small business owners in Malaysia. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2(9), 149-153.

Scott, M., & Bruce, R. (1987). Five stages of growth. Long Range Planning, 20(3), 45-52.

Selamat, N.H., Abdul-Razak, R.R., Gapor, S.A., & Sanusi, Z.A. (2011). Survival through entrepreneurship: Determinants of successful micro-enterprises in Balik Pulau, Penang Island, Malaysia. British Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 3 (1), 23-37.

Servon, L.J. (1999). Credit and Social Capital: The community development potential of microenterprise programs. Housing Policy Debate, 9(1), 115-149.

SME Annual Report. (2015/16). Retrieved from http://www.smecorp.gov.my/images/Publication/Annual-report/SME%20AR%202015-16%20English%20Final%20web.pdf on 2 February 2017 (1309).

SME Corp Malaysia, Micro Enterprises. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.smecorp.gov.my/index.php/en/
Smirat, B.Y.A. (2013). The use of accounting information by small and medium enterprises in South District of Jordan: An empirical study. Research Journal in Finance Accounting, 4(6), 169-175.

Stainbank, L. (2008). The development of financial reporting for smes in South Africa: Implications of recent and impending changes. African Journal of Accounting, Economics, Finance and Banking Research, 3(3), 1-17.

The Central Bank of Malaysia. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.bnm.gov.my/files/publication/ar/en/2015/ar2015_book.pdf

Turyahebwa, A., Sunday, A., & Ssekajugo, D. (2013). Financial management practices and business performance of small and medium enterprises in Western Uganda. African Journal of Business Management, 7(38), 3875-3885.

Usman, B., Buang, N.A., & Usman, Y.S. (2015). Entrepreneurship and SMEs in Malaysia: Need to nurture women entrepreneurship. Journal of Women’s Entrepreneurship and Education, 3(4), 77-96.

Williams, B.R., & O'Donovan, G. (2015). The accountants’ perspective on sustainable business practices in SMEs. Social Responsibility Journal, 11(3), 641-656.

Yaacob, M.R. (2010). A preliminary study of green micro-entrepreneurs in Kelantan, Malaysia. International Journal of Business and Management, 5(3), 81-88.

Zamzuraidah, I., & Widad, O. (2004). Faktor-faktor yang mendorong usahawan wanita Kelantan menceburi bidang perniagaan di pasar Siti Khadijah Kelantan (Bachelor’s thesis, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia).
Ramli, A., Zain, R. M., Razik, M. A., & Yaacob, A. S. (2017). Micro Businesses: Do They Need Accounting? International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 7(9), 169-188.