IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES: PERCEPTION OF AN ACCOUNTING BUSINESSMAN

Abstract

This study aims to verify the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial management of micro and small enterprises based on the perception of an accounting businessman. From this perspective, it was reviewed the literature established on the concepts of financial management, the use of its tools by MSEs (Micro and Small Enterprises) and the correlation between these enterprises’ services and accounting offices. Under a qualitative approach, a case study was carried out. The application technique for data collection was a semi-structured interview with an accounting businessman from Pernambuco State. He has more than 17 years of experience in management of accountancy companies. From the information collected, the category analysis was used to examination of the textual components. According to the businessman's perception, the results reveal that MSEs have been facing financial impacts resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, such as: reduction in revenue, due to the lockdown decree and for not adapting to a changeover to a online sales format; nonpayment by its customers in general from countryside, due to the use of sell on credit, whether by the use of the bank slip or the use of purchase order; besides the obstacles in obtaining credit lines from the government spheres. During this period of pandemic, it was also observed that there was an increase in the demand for the support of accounting offices in decision making. Therefore, the research contributes to the discussion about the role of the accounting professional, as a capable provider of services to organizing and guiding the financial health of MSEs, in a period of crisis, through the information provision that influence the decision-making.