Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements of The Registry, Inc. on Forms S-8 (Files No. 333-17565 and 333-33475), of our report dated February 14, 1997, except for Note 3 as to which the date is September 30, 1997, and Note 11, as to which the date is November 26, 1997, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of The Hunter Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, which report is included in this Form 8-K. /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P. Baltimore, Maryland December 11, 1997