Social Media Less Popular Among Accounting Professionals

A survey released earlier this week by Constant Contact found roughly 81 percent of small businesses use social media to engage with customers - up from 73 percent in the spring. The findings point to the growing popularity of social networks as marketing platforms. However, a separate report released this week paints a different picture when it comes to one profession: accounting.

Resources Global Professionals conducted a survey of certified management accountants in Canada, specifically in regards to their use of social media, and found respondents are generally hesitant toward the channel.

Sixty-two percent of respondents claim they "do not trust" information posted on social networks, while 58 percent believe face-to-face interactions are the best use of time. Two-thirds of surveyed accounting professionals are concerned about the security of personal information posted on such sites.

"These results indicate that there is significant potential to increase the usage of social media tools by financial and accounting professionals," said Anne Bell, regional managing director at Resources Global Professionals. "Despite the rise of social media, nothing replaces the value of face-to-face time between clients and professional services teams."