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View All NewsUS finance/accounting worker confidence falls again in Q3
US finance and accounting workers’ confidence declined for the second consecutive quarter, according to the Randstad Professionals’ finance and accounting employee confidence index for the third quarter of 2014. The index edged down to 57.5 from 58.0 in the prior quarter. However, the index remained above 50, which indicates a positive reading.
"The financial services and accounting industries have a reputation for being traditional and relatively old-school," said Rebecca Callahan, group president, Professional Solutions. "Firms and companies simply can't underestimate the importance of shifting this image and culture of our field to appeal to a younger demographic. The impending retirement of senior-level executives within our industry is going to require companies to do all they can to attract and retain Millennials. Yet, as our survey indicates, a quarter of workers are likely to jump ship and many feel there are fewer jobs available for them to pursue."
“We know that more and more students are pursuing accounting degrees, which is good news when it comes to preparing for demographic gaps left by Boomers,” said Callahan. “The real test, however, will be to keep these workers engaged, satisfied and more loyal by understanding generational differences in values, motivations and what they seek from employers.”
Twenty-eight percent of finance and accounting professionals believe there are more jobs available, down from 36 percent in the second-quarter survey. Twenty-five percent said it is likely they will seek new employment within the next year, a decline of 14 percentage points from 39 percent last quarter.
Additionally, 64 percent of accounting and finance workers feel confident in the future of their current employer, up from 55 percent in the second-quarter survey.
Harris Interactive conducted the survey within the US on behalf of Randstad Professionals in July, August and September 2014. It included 125 respondents employed in accounting and finance.