A recent survey conducted in America has found that couples average three arguments a month about financial issues, and that three in ten adults who are married or living with a partner admit to potentially deceitful behaviour about money.

Much of the relationship conflict can be traced to a failure to communicate about finances, according to the survey, which was conducted for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) by Harris Interactive. Around 55% of adults who are married or living with a partner said they do not set aside time on a regular basis to talk about financial issues.

“Money is a lightning rod for conflict in relationships because it’s a sensitive topic and each person brings a different perspective based on their past experiences,” said Jordan Amin, chair of the National CPA Financial Literacy Commission. “It’s critical for couples to communicate openly and regularly about financial matters in order to establish a common language around money and move toward shared goals.”