Recession forces bottom-line focus

Accountants and auditors are expected to be among the most sought after workers in management and business services, an occupational category that encompasses an array of white-collar jobs.

The prospects for managers ultimately will depend on skills and industries. For example, computer and information systems managers can look forward to good opportunities over the next several years.

Nationally, jobs in that specialty are projected to grow 16 percent by 2016, compared to about 10 percent for all occupations, according to the Labor Department.

The number of purchasing manager jobs, on the other hand, will experience virtually no growth over the next several years, according to projections.

Demand for accountants and auditors should remain strong over the next several years as companies fix balance sheets and deal with new regulations likely to follow the nation’s historic financial meltdown. Accounting and similar jobs are projected to grow 18 percent nationally by 2016, with the best opportunities for those with advanced degrees in business, accounting or taxation, according to Labor.

The pay isn’t bad either. The median salary is about $55,000 a year, although top accountants can earn more than $90,000.

“A lot of companies need to get their fiscal houses in order,’’ said Dave Sanford, executive vice president for business development at Winter Wyman Cos., a Waltham staffing firm. “In tough times, accountants rule the world.’’

And as the world gets smaller, it means more opportunities for meeting and convention planners. Labor forecasts meeting and convention planner jobs will increase 20 percent by 2016 as more companies conduct business internationally and need to bring far-flung staffs and clients together. The jobs, which typically require a bachelor’s degree and experience, pay a median salary of about $42,000 a year.

Opportunities should also be plentiful for managers in growing health care businesses and institutions. An aging population is fueling that growth, but proposed health care reforms could further increase the demand for managers as government and private insurers require more efficiency and cost controls. Labor projects jobs for health care managers, who typically need a master’s degree, will grow 16 percent by 2010. Median salary is about $73,000 a year.

Controlling health care costs could mean more jobs for human resources managers, particularly those who specialize in fashioning benefits packages, according to Labor. Adding to the demand for human resources managers are state and federal laws, and court rulings, which have imposed a variety of training, health and safety, and other requirements on employers.

Labor projects human resources management jobs, which include specialists on labor relations, training, and compensation, to grow 17 percent by 2016. Median salaries range from about $42,000 to $88,000, depending on specialties.

Robert Gavin can be reached at rgavin@globe.com.