The impact of management accounting practices (MAPs) on the business performance of small and medium enterprises within the Gauteng province of South Africa

Objectives: This study aimed at examining the impact of management accounting practices on the business performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa, Prior Work: In spite of the increasing research on SMEs, they seem to be a paucity of studies that have investigated the influence of management accounting practices on the business performance of SMEs in South Africa. Approach: The study was positioned within a quantitative research approach and data was collected from 380 SME managers who were selected by means of the probability simple random sampling technique. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 24.0, was used to analyze data. Regression analysis was undertaken in order to check the association between management accounting practices and business performance. The hypothesized relationships in the research model were assessed using multiple regression analysis. Results: Associations between each management accounting practice and business performance were tested and the results showed that management account practices positively influences the business performance of SMEs. Implications: The empirical study provided fruitful implications to academicians by making a significant contribution to the management accounting literature by systematically exploring the influence of management accounting practices (MAPs) on the business performance of SMEs within the Gauteng province of South Africa. Value: This study therefore, stand to immensely contribute new knowledge to the existing body of management accounting literature in Africa – a context that is often most neglected by some researchers in developing countries.