"Despite dips in macroeconomic optimism, our report shows that confidence among accounting and finance workers has actually increased during the third quarter," said Brendan Courtney, senior vice president of Spherion Professional Services Group. "The demand for accounting and finance workers with specialized skills remained healthy throughout the third quarter of 2007 and I see no sign of it slowing down."

Thirty-nine percent of accounting and finance workers believe the economy is getting weaker, an increase of six percentage points from the second quarter of 2007. Sixty percent of workers are not likely to look for a new job, up four percentage points from the previous quarter. And more workers are confident in their ability to find a new job, up two percentage points to 61 percent in the second quarter of 2007.

"Despite the recent turmoil in the credits market, many firms have not materially altered their hiring plans," said Courtney. "The recent rate cut the Fed made, along with other factors such as international trade, will help U.S. businesses withstand any major economic contraction and help sustain domestic demand. This in turn will help keep the demand for accounting and finance workers strong, particularly in sectors like private equity and structured finance."