Regional patterns of business performance among small and medium sized public accounting firms in New York State

This paper assesses the extent to which regional variations exist with rega rd to the growth performance and operating characteristics of small and med ium sized firms (SMFs) in New York State's public accounting sector. Empiri cal evidence from a regionally stratified survey of 180 accounting firms is presented. Contrary to popular opinion, the results suggest that locationa l factors play only a modest role in the strategic behaviour of these firms . In addition, the data suggest that most SMFs in this sector have only rec ently been considering international markets as possible sources of new inc ome. It is argued that non-local markets, and especially foreign ones, are not easily tapped by small producer service firms. Further, it is argued th at the recent literature on producer service exports must be tempered by a more detailed consideration of the types of firms that operate within this segment of the economy.