Mergis Group Finance & Accounting Worker Confidence Index Rebounds

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., February 22, 2012 — The Accounting and Finance Employee Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence among U.S. accounting and finance workers, edged up 4.2 points to 49.3 in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a recent survey of 3,721 U.S. adults, among which 172 are employed in accounting and finance. Commissioned by The Mergis Group and conducted online by Harris Interactive®, the survey provides encouraging information, revealing increased confidence among finance and accounting workers during the final quarter of 2011. Notably, more workers believe the economic landscape is improving and job availability is increasing.

Results from the Accounting & Finance Employment Report:

• Forty-four percent of finance and accounting workers believe the economy is getting weaker, a decrease of 14 percentage points from the third quarter of 2011.
• More finance and accounting workers are confident in the future of their current employer. Specifically, 65 percent of workers are confident in the future of their current employer compared to 61 percent who expressed confidence in the previous quarter.
• Fifty-seven percent of finance and accounting workers believe there are fewer jobs available, down six percentage points from the third quarter of 2011.
• Less than a quarter (23 percent) of finance and accounting workers believe they are likely to make a job transition in the next 12 months, as opposed to a third of workers who expressed the likelihood to make a change job in the previous quarter.

“I am pleased to see that the Finance & Accounting Index ended 2011 on a relatively high note, with finance and accounting workers expressing greater-than-average confidence levels,” said Brendan Courtney, president of The Mergis Group. “While 2011 was a year filled with ups and downs in the financial space, we are optimistic that 2012 will usher in a great deal of opportunity for companies looking to enhance their industry footprint and attract the most sought-after talent. Specifically, we are seeing demand for finance professionals with expertise in compliance, analysis, tax and forensic accounting. Furthermore, the steady flow of foreclosures moving in the market, paired with historically low interest rates, continues to drive the demand for mortgage banking jobs.”

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of The Mergis Group from October 10-12, November 14-16 and December 12-14, 2011, among 3,721 adults ages 18 and older, of which 179 are employed in accounting and finance. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact CherylRhody@MergisGroup.com or 1-800-422-3819.

Demographic Results

Survey Background Information

About The Mergis Group
The Mergis Group is a leading professional placement firm that specializes in recruiting for positions in finance and accounting, engineering and manufacturing, sales and marketing, legal and human resources. The firm provides recruiting services to Fortune 500 and small and mid-sized companies through its network of 35 offices nationally.

The Mergis Group is a now a part of Randstad. For more information, please visit www.mergisgroup.com.

About Randstad
Randstad specializes in solutions in the field of flexible work and human resources services. Our services range from regular temporary staffing and permanent placement to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR Solutions. The Randstad Group is one of the leading HR services providers in the world with top three positions in Argentina, Belgium & Luxembourg, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, as well as major positions in Australia and the United States. End 2010 Randstad had approximately 27,500 employees working from close to 4,200 branches and inhouse locations in 43 countries around the world. Randstad generated a revenue of euro 14.2 billion in 2010. Randstad was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands. Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam, where options for stocks in Randstad are also traded. For more information see www.randstad.com.