RemedyTemp to Fill Accounting Needs

RemedyTemp Inc., an Aliso Viejo temporary staffing firm, said Wednesday it plans to offer accountants to companies to take advantage of demand for temporary financial professionals.

RemedyTemp, which supplies clerical and warehouse workers to companies such as MBNA Corp. and J.C. Penney Co., plans to develop an accounting practice internally or buy a closely held agency specializing in the profession, its chief executive, Greg Palmer, said.

RemedyTemp, which puts 35,000 people to work every day, has identified about half a dozen candidates for acquisition, he said. Profit margins from placing accountants far exceed those from clerical, warehouse and light assembly jobs, Palmer said.

RemedyTemp’s shares have fallen 55% in the last year as companies nationwide fire workers to cope with a slowing economy. The stock was unchanged Wednesday at $10.15 a share on Nasdaq.