The Role of Accounting in Managing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): The Case of Indonesia

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic affects the economy of a country as well as its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The MSMEs contribute to the economy of a country's GDP and can engross the workforce. In the case of Indonesia, 99% of MSMEs are micro-and small-businesses that need an intervention program from the Government. Having Accounting skills is important to manage MSMEs, as indicated by the OECD report (2017) regarding financial education. Unfortunately, the level of education that the owners of micro to small businesses have is relatively low and therefore, the program should be developed carefully considering the educational background of the sector. Training these business owners on simple accounting skills, which are critically important such as cash in and out records, may be suitable for micro and small businesses. In addition, recognition of their existence is also important by providing them with a business certificate from the city council. The certificate can also be used as a basis to allocate temporary space for the business that does the trading in the street market. Having the certificate recorded and maintained by the city council, as well as the simple financial record, can be used by the Government to base intervention programs such as financial and skill training as well as access to financial support or loan.3