Mergis Group Accounting & Finance Worker Confidence Index Reaches the Lowest Level Since Q1 2009

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Accounting and Finance Employee Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence among U.S. accounting and finance workers, dropped 4.9 points to 45.1 in the third quarter of 2011, according to a recent survey of 3,813 U.S. adults among which 179 are employed in Accounting and Finance commissioned by The Mergis Group®. The survey, conducted online by Harris Interactive®, showcases a significant decline in the amount of confidence accounting and finance workers have in regard to the economy, job availability and their ability to find a new job.  

Results from the Accounting & Finance Employment Report:

• More than half (58 percent) of accounting and finance workers believe the economy is getting weaker, an increase of 19 percentage points from the third quarter of 2011.
• More accounting and finance workers are confident in the future of their current employer. Specifically, 61 percent of workers are confident in the future of their current employer compared to 56 percent who expressed confidence in the previous quarter.
• Sixty-three percent of accounting and finance workers believe there are fewer jobs available, increasing eight percentage points from the third quarter of 2011.
• Fewer accounting and finance workers are confident in their ability to find a new job. In the third quarter of 2011, 38 percent of workers expressed confidence, as opposed to the 46 percent who felt confident in the previous quarter.

"It comes as little surprise that our Accounting & Finance Index continues to falter, as more workers in the industry continue to lose confidence in the overall employment situation," said Brendan Courtney, president of the Mergis Group. "The Index has reached recessionary levels and we believe this is likely a reflection of the turbulence taking place in the stock market, job market and throughout the global economies. However, what I do find interesting about this recent survey, is that even with all the uncertainty we are experiencing, more workers today say they have increased confidence in the future of their employers. This confidence could be a positive indication that employers are more stable and are recognizing the urgency to value their workers in order to provide a greater sense of security for those on the payroll."

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of The Mergis Group from July 11-13, August 10-12 & September 12-14, 2011 among 3,813 adults ages 18 and older of which 179 are employed in Accounting and Finance. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact [email protected] or 1-800-422-3819.

Demographic Results

Survey Background Information

About The Mergis Group

The Mergis Group is a leading professional placement firm that specializes in recruiting for positions in finance and accounting, engineering and manufacturing, sales and marketing, legal and human resources. The firm provides recruiting services to Fortune 500 and small and mid-sized companies through its network of 35 offices nationally.

The Mergis Group is a now a part of Randstad. For more information, please visit www.mergisgroup.com.

About Randstad

Randstad specializes in solutions in the field of flexible work and human resources services. Our services range from regular temporary staffing and permanent placement to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR Solutions. The Randstad Group is one of the leading HR services providers in the world with top three positions in Argentina, Belgium & Luxembourg, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, as well as major positions in Australia and the United States. End 2010 Randstad had approximately 27,500 employees working from close to 4,200 branches and inhouse locations in 43 countries around the world. Randstad generated a revenue of euro 14.2 billion in 2010. Randstad was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands. Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam, where options for stocks in Randstad are also traded. For more information see www.randstad.com.

SOURCE The Mergis Group