Bear-Market Accounting Skills Gain Ground

Beyond blunt tools like downsizing, CPA firms also are adapting themselves to the slowing economy in more subtle ways. In general, they're trying to tilting their corporate skill-set toward the kinds of services more clients will demand during a recession. For instance, Ernst & Young's Califonria offices are steering current openings toward accountants who practiced during previous downturns in 2001 and even 1991. Accountants with various forms of expertise in helping clients cut costs are in demand, along with CPAs who know how to value property (some clients are selling assets to raise capital, while others look to buy bargain-priced property). Here's our story.