Nearly 70% of business people interviewed for the Sage Heartbeat Survey turn to accountants for general business advice, compared to just 30% who approach a bank or building society, and 26% who would go to their solicitor.

Over 3,000 UK business decision-makers were questioned by YouGov, from Sage's database.

One-third of respondents would take a recommendation from their accountants about buying new technology, however the opinion of family and friends are more trusted for this.

'This survey highlights what we already know, namely how central an accountant's role is in helping businesses with the daily demands of running a company,' said Paul Stobart, UK managing director of Sage.