Accounts software can help counter economic downturn

News Article - 11 September 2008
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Less than five per cent of accountancy and finance contractors work for accountancy firms, according to research by a contractor services provider.

A survey by giant group instead found that the most popular area for contractors was industry and commerce at 36 per cent, followed by the public sector at 34 per cent.

However, the company believes that the use of contractors by accountancy firms will increase, with eight per cent of contractors forecasting more job opportunities in the sector in the next year.

The managing director of giant group, Matthew Brown, said that contractors could help firms control costs.

"Accountancy firms have been reluctant to utilise contractors, despite ongoing difficulties recruiting the right skills," he said.

"Contractors represent a very cost effective means of plugging short-term skills gaps, which if left unfilled, can hinder firms' expansion plans."

Mr Brown recently said that contractors in the IT sector are not panicking in the current economic downturn.

He said that IT was an area where organisations can be put off hiring permanent staff when conditions are challenging.

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