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Chief Financial Officers Anticipate Net 4% Increase in Third-Quarter Hiring
MENLO PARK, Calif. -- Chief financial officers surveyed for the Robert Half International Financial Hiring Index anticipate a net 4% increase in the hiring of accounting and finance professionals during the third quarter, down two points from the second-quarter forecast but up four points from hiring projections made this time last year.Among CFOs expecting to add staff, 59% cited business growth as the primary reason, an increase of 13 points from the second-quarter 2004 survey.Just 7% of financial executives said they anticipate adding employees over the next three months, and 3% expect reductions in personnel.Fully 88% of those polled foresee no change in staff levels. "The year-over-year increase in hiring optimism underscores recent positive economic trends that have raised business confidence levels," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International Inc. "Still, many companies remain conservative and are waiting for signs of sustainable growth before increasing their human resources budgets significantly.""Initiatives related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance are fueling demand for accounting and internal audit professionals on a full-time and consulting basis. This trend is likely to continue as organizations seek to ensure the accuracy of their financial reporting and strengthen their internal controls."CFOs in the South Atlantic states are the most optimistic about hiring in the third quarter; 9% of executives anticipate adding financial staff and none foresee personnel reductions."Strength in the construction and mortgage industries has been driving growth in the South Atlantic region," Messmer said. "In addition to internal auditors to help with corporate governance-related activities, companies in these states report increased demand for financial analysts, accounts payable and receivable personnel, and general accounting professionals." A net 8% of CFOs in the New England region expect to bring in additional full-time accounting and finance staff during the third quarter. Financial hiring activity in the East South Central and West South Central states is also expected to outpace the national average with a net 7% of executives in each region projecting increased hiring.Demand for accounting professionals is forecast to be greatest within the transportation industry; 19% of CFOs in this sector plan to increase hiring and none expect to reduce staff levels. The finance, insurance and real estate industry is projected to remain strong as well, with a net 11% of executives anticipating adding staff during the quarter. CFOs working in the construction and retail industries also projected staffing activity above the national average, with a net 6% increase in hiring forecast within each sector. A net 5% of executives within the wholesale and business-services industries plan to add accounting and finance personnel in the coming quarter.Robert Half International Inc. was founded in 1948. The firm's financial staffing divisions include Accountemp, Robert Half Finance & Accounting and Robert Half Management Resources.The company has more than 325 offices throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.Visit Robert Half International Inc.: www.rhi.com"