Wolters Kluwer · 21 Oct, 02:28 · Business briefing

Small business survey reveals owners' biggest startup concerns

A recent survey conducted by Wolters Kluwer highlights the primary anxieties faced by small business owners during the startup phase.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

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71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A recent survey conducted by Wolters Kluwer highlights the primary anxieties faced by small business owners during the startup phase. The findings identify key operational and financial hurdles that deter potential entrepreneurs or challenge existing ventures. This data provides a factual overview of the current landscape, emphasising concerns such as cash flow management, regulatory compliance, and market entry strategies. For professionals, this report serves as a critical indicator of where support services and expertise are most urgently required in the small business sector, reflecting broader economic uncertainties and structural challenges within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Employer demand for Finance and Accounting skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This survey signals a heightened demand for professionals who can navigate financial and operational complexity. You should focus on developing expertise in areas that directly alleviate these startup fears. Skills in financial modelling, compliance governance, and strategic planning will rise in significant value. If you work in finance or advisory roles, position yourself as a specialist who can guide early-stage ventures through regulatory and fiscal hurdles. A smart professional would immediately upskill in risk management and taxation essentials. By understanding these specific pain points, you can tailor your service offerings or career trajectory to meet the urgent needs of small business owners, thereby securing greater relevance and employability in a market increasingly focused on sustainable growth and stability.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Finance and Accounting, Risk Management Strategies, Compliance And Governance and Small Business Marketing — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.