Navigating growing business pressures

The study of more than 1,500* UK business leaders found that just one in eight feel fully in control of their business, as ongoing economic and political uncertainty continues to reshape leadership and decision-making.

TC Group says the findings reinforce its advisory-led approach, as a modern accountancy firm helping business owners make clearer, more confident decisions beyond the numbers.

More than 60% said they cannot confidently plan beyond the next quarter, while 92% said they struggle to switch off from work without feeling anxiety or guilt. At the same time, 72% said they remain confident in their ability to navigate uncertainty or another major disruption.

The findings, published in TC Group’s latest report, Success Without Stillness: Leadership in Motion, point to a clear shift in the needs of modern business leaders. As uncertainty becomes a long-term operating condition rather than a temporary challenge, business owners are increasingly seeking strategic guidance that extends beyond traditional compliance services.

TC Group says the research reflects a wider transformation within the accountancy profession, with firms playing an increasingly active role in helping clients navigate complexity, manage risk and plan for multiple futures.

Stephen Watts, chief operating officer at TC Group, said, “Business ownership has become heavier. Many leaders are carrying more decisions, more responsibility and more uncertainty than ever before, and for some, the reward is becoming harder to justify.

“What this research makes clear is that clients increasingly need more than technical compliance support. They need trusted advisors who understand the wider commercial landscape and can help them make confident decisions in uncertain conditions.

“The role of the modern accountancy practice is evolving. Firms that combine technical expertise with strategic insight, commercial understanding and proactive advisory support will be best placed to create long-term value for clients.”

The report also found that entrepreneurial ambition remains strong but is becoming more measured. Nearly half of business owners said they are more cautious than in previous years, and only 20% said they are willing to take greater risks.

Leaders remain most willing to take risks in areas linked to future growth, including adopting new technology, launching new products and investing in long-term innovation, while being significantly more cautious around hiring senior talent.

TC Group believes this presents a clear opportunity for accountancy firms to deepen client relationships by moving beyond transactional services and providing more strategic, forward-looking support.

Stephen added: “The strongest businesses are not those where one person carries everything alone. They are the ones where responsibility is shared, good people are trusted and the right external support is brought in at the right time.

“That is where advisory-led firms can make a meaningful difference, not by removing uncertainty, but by helping clients respond with greater clarity, stronger foundations and better decision-making.”

TC Group believes the businesses best placed for the future will be those that continue to move with purpose: planning for multiple futures, sharing responsibility across teams and advisors, embracing technology where it strengthens judgement and building mental resilience into the way they lead.

Dean Beale, executive director at CPIA, giving a talk on the 2025 Audit Trust Index.