Challenges in the Financial Management of Micro-entrepreneurs in the City of Imperatriz - MA

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the structure and functioning of financial management, as well as identify the main challenges faced by Individual Microentrepreneurs (MEIs) in the city of Imperatriz (MA). The methodology adopted was of a mixed nature (quantitative and qualitative), consisting of exploratory and descriptive field research. For data collection, a structured questionnaire was applied via Google Forms to formalized microentrepreneurs in the region. The results revealed a profound technical vulnerability: 90.1% of entrepreneurs start their activities with little or no prior knowledge of financial management. The study identified a critical paradox, where 95% of respondents recognize the importance of financial management for growth, but 61.4% have never taken courses in the area. Among the most serious operational failures, the absence of rigorous cash flow control by 70.3% of the sample and the commingling of personal and business accounts (mixing of personal and business accounts) practiced by 68.3% of MEIs stand out. Maintaining working capital was identified as the greatest daily challenge (31.7%). It is concluded that the success and longevity of micro-enterprises in Imperatriz depend less on external capital investment and more on the professionalization of internal management. The study confirms that strengthening the sector requires an urgent democratization of financial literacy, allowing micro-entrepreneurs to transform subsistence activities into sustainable and scalable businesses.