Declan Moloney, 23 February 2009
The majority of top accounting firms will resist cutting jobs.

AccountancyAge reports that some of the top 20 accounting firms will not be making redundancies. This news comes after they have already cut 1100 jobs in the previous year. These companies have stated that staff numbers for 2009 should generally remain the same and will continue to recruit graduates in 2009.

After previous recessions where companies have dealt massive job losses companies are looking to change their approach as cutting recruitment has caused massive staff talent gaps in the past. Instead, companies are pursuing new strategies such as four day weeks and pushing sabbaticals while the recession hits.

Half the firms asked in the report believed that there staff levels would remain the same or increase in the following 12 months and another half believed they will maintain graduate recruitment. Those who said they would be making cuts in graduate recruitment said they would be minimal.

It is thought several of the companies are using the recession as a chance to reshuffle their work forces. Some companies are seeing this as an opportunity to oust older workers and replace them with younger cheaper staff.

Adam Leon, head of accountancy recruiters Manpower Professional told Accountancy Age. ‘They’re using it as an opportunity to clear out the dead wood. They may be less expensive and may be less experienced, but the firms will recognise that and cope with it.’