Accountants on the dole: new figures show surge in benefit claimants
But fewer accountants are signing on than architects or lawyers
The number of accountants claiming unemployment benefit has soared by 142% in
the past year, although the profession appears to weathering the downturn better
than lawyers.
In February, 1,405 chartered and certified accountants claimed the
Jobseeker’s Allowance, compared with 580 a year earlier, according to figures
from the Office of National Statistics.
Claims from management accountants, also rose by about 142% to 1,020.
Management consultant claims rose 113% to 1,430, while the number of
solicitors and lawyers claiming up to a maximum of £101 per week in unemployment
benefit jumped 316% to 1,540.
Software programmers made the greatest amount of claims overall (4,990 in
February compared with 2,880 a year earlier).
However, architects have been hardest hit among the professions – their
claims have risen by 730%.