Capacity development of regional-based accounting services providers to support rural SMEs

In October Enterprise Georgia was supported to host a workshop event in Tskaltubo Spa Resort with representatives of six selected accounting service providers.  This work supports Enterprise Georgia’s ‘graduation initiative’ – where accounting services providers will support previous grant awardees of the EG Micro and Small Business Support Programme to improve the financial knowledge and skills they need to access commercial financing opportunities.  The training and orientation session focused on develop their skills in providing financial advisory services to micro-enterprises. The ASPs were selected for their capacity and willingness to support micro-enterprises in all regions of Georgia.  Technical assistance was provided by the RSMED project in association with SavvY Consulting.

Through October and November, RMSED partner the Georgian Federation of Professional Accountants and Auditors conducted workshops and trainings for their network of rural based accounting services providers on how to offer financial advisory services.  ASP workshops took place in Telavi, Kutaisi, Batumi, and Zugdidi with some 65 rural ASP representatives participating.

The GFPAA programme builds the capacity of ASPs to provide financial advisory services which are aligned with rural-based SMEs needs.  This includes areas of financial modelling and business plan basics, budgeting and management accounting, loan advice, business analytics, how to communicate with clients, and how to advise on crisis management and rehabilitation.  The initiative with GFPAA supports ASPs to extend financial advisory services to SMEs in the regions of Georgia, improving their financial knowledge and skills.