Manpower is confident that the boom generated by Sarbanes-Oxley business is set to continue into 2005.

Accounting recruitment agency Jefferson Wells, bought by the group in 2000, generated operating profits of $25.1m in the latest quarter following the stringent public company accounting reform and investor protection act.

Clients used the agency to hire additional accounting and auditing staff to meet the tougher US rules on financial disclosure.

Jeff Joerres, chairman and executive officer told investors: “We believe that anyhwere from 40% to 60% of the Sarbanes-Oxley related work has a very good chance of rolling into 2005.”

Group net profits rose from $43.8m to $83.4m in the quarter to September 30.