Scotland has a professional and business services sector that is both economically important and historically deep-rooted. Our culture of high professional standards, specialist knowledge and international credibility helps shape Scotland’s inward investment proposition.
Yet the strength of the sector remains surprisingly easy to overlook when we talk about the country’s international exports.
Scotland’s services sector: a major contributor to international exports
A new report commissioned by the Scottish Government from Prosper and the Fraser of Allander Institute [1] underlines the importance and resilience of our services sector which, according to the research, accounted for almost 41 per cent of Scotland’s international exports in 2023.
Our professional and business services sector – including accountancy, legal services, consultancy and architecture – generated £6.2bn of gross value added in 2022 and employed around 137,000 people in 2024.
Ensuring the sector and government are on the same page would be an important first step in turning long-established professional advantage into greater international growth.
— Susan Love
What barriers restrict Scotland’s professional services exports?
While this (long overdue) analytical work on the sector’s contribution in Scotland is a valuable step in itself, the report also seeks to explore challenges holding back its trade potential.
This suggests the barriers are complex, with many less visible than tariffs. Mutual recognition of professional qualifications, travel restrictions, data requirements and accreditation can all make it harder to deliver services across borders.
For accountancy, the loss of widespread and accessible mutual recognition of qualifications in the EU is particularly significant.
The profession will continue to look to emerging opportunities such as those presented by the recent UK-India free trade agreement which could yield dividends for the sector over time.
How a Scottish professional and business services forum could support growth
However, we should start by coordinating how we leverage Scotland’s professional services insight and expertise. ACCA believes that a professional and business services forum could help bring the sector together, identify barriers, innovations and opportunities and ensure its voice is heard in policy.
Ensuring the sector and government are on the same page would be an important first step in turning long-established professional advantage into greater international growth.
Susan Love leads strategy and engagement for accountancy body, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in Scotland
Productivity Matters 2026: The Art of Change
Today’s world is changing rapidly. For businesses, social enterprises and charities, the ability to adapt, build resilience and capability while staying competitive is crucial if they are to thrive in times of change.
Join Prosper’s Peer Works programme at its annual conference to explore the art of change and for an inspiring day of insight and networking.
Join us on Tuesday, 29th September, 9am–4.15pm at the Sir Duncan Rice Library, Aberdeen.
For more information and to register to attend visit Peer Works website.
Peer Works is a programme delivered by Prosper (Scottish Council for Development and Industry – SCDI)
Acknowledgements
The Trade in Services Report was written in partnership with Prosper and the Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy. The Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) also thanks:
Senior Research Fellow Minako Morita-Jaeger, of the University of Sussex Business School, for providing analysis to underpin global trends within services sectors.
Professor Anirudh Shingal, of the S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, for providing analysis of global services trade restrictiveness.
Extracts of their analysis are included in this report. Complete analysis will be published in detail in annexes to this report.
FAQs
How can Scotland’s professional and business services sector support growth?
Scotland’s specialist expertise in accountancy, law, architecture and related services can attract inward investment and generate international business. Better coordination between the sector and government could help turn these strengths into greater export growth.
How important are professional and business services to Scotland’s economy?
The Scottish Government’s Trade in Services Report puts the sector’s gross value added at £6.2bn in 2022 and employment at around 137,000 people in 2024.
What barriers do Scottish professional services exporters face?
Barriers include restrictions on business travel, differing data requirements, accreditation rules and limited recognition of professional qualifications. These can increase costs and make it harder to serve overseas clients.
What does ACCA propose to help Scotland’s services sector grow?
ACCA supports a Scottish professional and business services forum to bring the sector together, identify barriers and opportunities, and strengthen its contribution to policymaking and international trade promotion.
Registration is open for The Business’ Professional Services event. Please register here.