This is one of those bad news / good news / bad news things.
First, the bad news: Overall confidence among accounting and finance pros has fallen to its lowest point since 2005. That’s according to the Mergis Group’s Accounting and Finance Employee Confidence Index, which also found that:
- 64 percent of accounting and finance workers believe the economy is getting weaker, down 6 percent from the second quarter of 2008; and
- 41 percent of accounting and finance workers say they are likely to look for a new job, but only 48 percent of workers are confident they’ll be able to find one.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Demand for accounting talent is still high, and Mergis Group Senior Vice President Jack Causa said the financial crisis will likely result in a wave of new regulation — and that, in turn, will bring lots of opportunities for CPAs who are searching for work.
And here’s more seemingly good news: Salaries for accounting and finance pros are expected to jump 3.4 percent in 2009, according to Robert Half’s most recent salary guides. Hot accounting jobs in the coming year should include staff / senior accountant, public accountant, and credit / collection specialist.
“Companies are showing the most interest in professionals who can help their firms reduce inefficiencies and enhance profitability,” Robert Half reports. “Those who are familiar with international financial reporting standards also are marketable.”
And that brings us to yet more bad news. Workforce Management reports that raises next year will likely be the smallest since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
So what about you? Will you be looking for work soon, or do you feel pretty secure in your job these days?