The big accounting firms are planning to chop staff because of the slowdown in the economy, and more companies adjusting to the rigors and processes of Sarbanes-Oxley, reports Compliance Week.

Actually, when you read the piece you will see that Deloitte is the only one that's confirmed it's getting rid of staff. KPMG, PwC and Ernst&Young have refused to comment which, when you think about it, is about as close to a confirmation as you can get. Compliance Week's Tammy Whitehouse reports it's in part about Sarbanes-Oxley becoming less of a project and more a process as firms get used to it.

But the economic climate, with fewer deals and more companies either tightening up, or going bust, would not help employment prospects.

That said, the bean counters are still in a better position than many others.