The Accounting and Finance Employee Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence among accounting and finance workers in the U.S., dropped 1.7 points, to 62.9, in the first quarter of 2007, according to a recent survey commissioned by Spherion Corp.
Overall optimism declined primarily because fewer workers believe the economy is getting stronger, while the percentage of workers reporting confidence in the future of their employer declined.
The report also found that:
- Fewer accounting and finance workers believe the economy is strengthening, with 27 percent reporting that the economy is getting stronger, compared to 30 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006;
- More than 60 percent of workers expressed confidence in their ability to find a new job, showing little change from the fourth quarter; and,
- The number of workers reporting confidence in the future of their employer decreased 3 percent, to 68 percent, in the first quarter of 2007.
“The demand that was seen last year for accounting and finance workers has certainly not let up,” said Brendan Courtney, senior vice president of Spherion Professional Services, in a statement. “[Urgency] is being seen in most accounting and finance positions, with the job market for internal auditors, project managers, financial analysts and staff accountants being particularly hot.”
