Confidence among accounting and finance workers jumped 8.7 points in January, to 112.6, according to the Hudson Employment Index. The latest reading is the highest since last June and is just above last January's reading of 112.4.
Increased optimism about personal finances, job security and satisfaction prompted the increase in this monthly measure of employee confidence, which surveys approximately 9,000 workers nationwide across all industries.
While confidence among accounting and finance workers grew dramatically, workers overall grew slightly less confident in the employment market in January, with the composite index slipping about a point to 102.6.
"Whereas we typically see a new year's increase, our polling indicates that workers are approaching this year with a 'wait-and-see' attitude," said executive vice president for Hudson-North America Steve Wolfe, in a statement. Hudson said that accounting and finance workers' confidence likely reflects an anticipated increase in business during the upcoming tax season -- though there was only a one point increase, to 34 percent, in the number of sector workers expecting to see employee added to their staff.
The i ndex for accounting and finance workers also showed:
- More optimism about the future of their personal finances, as half (50 percent) said that their financial situation was improving compared to 45 percent in December.
- There was a four point drop, to 33 percent, in the number of workers who said that their situation was worsening.
Three-quarters (74 percent) were happy with their current job, compared to just 68 percent in December.
