Title: COVID-19's effect on the accounting of SMEs and the role of information technology as a mitigation measure

Authors: Drogalas George; Karagiorgos Alkiviadis; Panagiotis Pantelidis; Vratskidou Anthoula

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Street, GR 54636, Greece ' Department of Business Administration, International University of Greece, Terma Magnisias, p.c. 62124, Greece ' Department of Business Administration, International University of Greece, Terma Magnisias, p.c. 62124, Greece ' Department of Business Administration, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Street, GR 54636, Greece

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to study the effects of COVID-19 on the profession of accountant as well as the role of smart technologies. A mixed method approach was used for the analysis with interviews from experts and questionnaires sent to accounting departments of small and medium enterprises. Factor analysis was employed to study these hypotheses. COVID-19 affected the profession of accountant especially through under the pressure of the workload. Most SMEs believe that smart technologies can help address the effects of COVID-19 on the accounting profession. There is a significant difference between accountants and the state, intensified due to their different goals and roles in a pandemic. There is a great need for training and support in the informational technology transition. The unprecedented situation and stress levels indicate that states could devise long-term development strategies, showing care in pursuing or rejecting immediate and short-term goals.

Keywords: electronic bookkeeping; smart technologies; COVID-19; economic consequences of COVID; support measures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCA.2025.146438

International Journal of Critical Accounting, 2025 Vol.14 No.3, pp.221 - 246

Received: 22 Nov 2023
Accepted: 27 Aug 2024
Published online: 29 May 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article