Simone de Fátima Nunes, Theodora Gabriela C. de Souza Oliveira

Performance and institutional adaptation of accounting firms in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-case study

Introduction

Performance and institutional adaptation of accounting firms in foz do iguaçu, brazil, amid the covid-19 pandemic: a multi-case study. Explore how accounting firms in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil adapted and performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This multi-case study reveals increased demand, positive changes, and sector resilience.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the adaptation processes of accounting firms during the COVID-19 pandemic in the municipality of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná. A multiple-case study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, integrating the experiences of four accounting firms. Data were collected through a questionnaire comprising both open- and closed-ended questions, complemented by semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined through content analysis, enabling an in-depth interpretation and categorization of the fully transcribed material. The sample was predominantly composed of women, with a mean age of 63.7 years, and most participants held a bachelor’s degree as their highest level of education. On average, participants had 31 years of professional experience in accounting. The firms were primarily small-sized, with an average operational history of 18 years and approximately six employees. During the pandemic, there was a substantial increase in both demand and production, with growth rates ranging from 40% to 95%. The categorical analysis of the data resulted in the identification of three main thematic axes: (1) Before and During the Health Crisis: Implications of COVID-19 for the Operation of Accounting Firms; (2) Accounting Leadership and the Need for Internal (Re)Adaptation; and (3) Post-Pandemic Perspectives and Opportunities. Overall, the findings indicate that the pandemic prompted positive changes for both accounting firms and their clients, highlighting resilience and the sector’s capacity to adapt in the face of crisis.

Review

This study offers a timely and relevant investigation into the institutional adaptation and performance of accounting firms in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, during the profound challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a robust multiple-case study design with a mixed-methods approach, the research effectively integrates both quantitative and qualitative data gathered from four local firms. The methodology, which combined questionnaires with open- and closed-ended questions and semi-structured interviews, followed by descriptive statistics and content analysis of transcribed material, appears well-suited to capture the nuanced experiences of adaptation within this specific geographical and professional context. A particularly striking finding from the research is the reported substantial increase in both demand and production within these accounting firms, with growth rates ranging from 40% to 95% during the pandemic, a revelation that challenges potential assumptions of downturns in many sectors. The characterization of the sample, predominantly experienced female professionals with an average age of 63.7 years and 31 years of professional experience in small, well-established firms, provides a specific and interesting demographic lens through which to interpret these adaptations. The qualitative analysis is effectively structured around three thematic axes: "Before and During the Health Crisis," "Accounting Leadership and the Need for Internal (Re)Adaptation," and "Post-Pandemic Perspectives and Opportunities," providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the observed operational shifts and strategic responses. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the resilience and adaptive capacity of the accounting sector in the face of a major global crisis. The findings compellingly demonstrate that the pandemic, rather than solely posing threats, also catalyzed positive changes and opportunities for both accounting firms and their clients in Foz do Iguaçu. By highlighting the sector's ability to navigate increased demands and implement necessary internal adaptations, the research contributes significantly to the literature on organizational resilience and crisis management within professional services. This work underscores the critical role of accounting firms as essential support structures during times of economic and health instability, offering a localized yet potentially generalizable understanding of effective adaptation strategies.

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