Factors Influencing SME Capital Access: Moderating Role of Bookkeeping Skills

Herma Wiharno (Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Kuningan University, Kuningan)
Amir Hamzah (Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Kuningan University, Kuningan)
Dadang Suhendar (Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Kuningan University, Kuningan)

Jurnal Manajemen
Vol. 30 No. 2 (2026): June-September 2026

This study examines the factors influencing access to capital among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), focusing on financial statements, financial behavior, accounting knowledge, financial technology, and bookkeeping skills. It also investigates the moderating role of bookkeeping skills. A quantitative survey was conducted with 192 MSME owners, and the data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that all five factors positively and significantly affect access to capital, with financial technology showing the strongest influence. Bookkeeping skills strengthen the effects of financial behavior and accounting knowledge on access to capital but do not significantly moderate the effects of financial statements or financial technology. These findings support Signaling Theory and Information Asymmetry Theory by demonstrating that financial capability, digital financial services, and reliable bookkeeping enhance MSME credibility and reduce information asymmetry, thereby improving access to external financing.