A new survey by Allica Bank of 199 of its accountant partners reveals they have confidence in business growth over the next 12 months. 83% of accountants believe their SME clients will achieve some level of growth over 2026, according to the survey, with 13% expecting high growth. Just 6% predict no growth at all, signalling that established businesses remain resilient and ambitious despite a challenging economic backdrop. 

The survey also found that accountants are equally driven themselves, with 79% saying they aim to grow their own businesses over the next 12 months, highlighting a focused and forward-looking sector. This is also signalled by a growing trend of M&A readiness and consolidation in the sector, backed by an influx of private equity.

Among the established businesses planning to grow, investment priorities are clear. 72% are focused on purchasing new machinery or equipment, 69% are seeking working capital or cash flow support, and nearly a third (32%) say they will invest in digital transformation or software over the next 12 months. With accountants increasingly taking on a more advisory role for their clients, knowing where businesses can find the finance to support this investment will be of even greater importance.

Mind the Gap

While accountants are optimistic about growth in 2026, the survey also reveals that SME ambition isn’t always being matched by high-street banks. 48% of the accountants surveyed say their clients receive some support from their bank, but need more. 40% say their clients do not get the support they need at all. Just 3% believe their clients are adequately supported. 

57% of accountants meanwhile say they are not confident their clients can access the borrowing they need from their current bank, reinforcing concerns that traditional lenders are failing to support established SMEs – that’s those with between 5 and 250 employees – despite this cohort accounting for over a third of UK employment and GDP. 

This data aligns with Allica’s recent 'Rebooting SME Finance to Unlock Growth' report. The research highlights how the Big Six high-street banks have pulled back from SME lending in recent decades, creating a £65 billion lending gap and leaving the UK with the lowest business investment rate in the G7.

When asked what would make them recommend a bank to a client, accountants were clear that relationship-driven banking remains essential. 76% said having a dedicated relationship manager is the most important factor, followed by competitive interest rates and access to high-quality digital banking tools. 

These findings echo a broader sentiment among established UK businesses. A survey of more than 500 established businesses conducted by Allica ahead of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards saw 90% of established business owners say they’re planning on growth in 2026. However, in the same study, 62% said banks do not understand the needs of smaller businesses, mirroring the sentiment expressed by accountants in this latest research.

Sophie Hossack, Head of Partnerships at Allica Bank, said:

"It’s encouraging that our accountant partners believe that growth in 2026 is achievable for them and their clients’ businesses.

"But the data shows there's clearly a mismatch between the ambition of business owners to invest and grow, and what traditional banks are doing to support them. Plugging this gap is going to be critical to support UK economic growth next year, and banks need to do more.

"A common theme we see at Allica is that accountants are the first port of call for SMEs. They provide clients with strategic and business support, including guidance on how to access finance. But they can't do it on their own, which is why we have a dedicated accountancy partnerships team to provide firms with support when it's needed.”