A new survey by Robert Half International, a staffing services firm specializing in accounting and finance, suggests that the majority of chief financial officers (CFOs) will maintain their current staff levels in accounting and finance during the third quarter of 2008 (Q3 2008). The survey, Robert Half International Financial Hiring Index, further reveals that 84% of CFOs interviewed claim they would neither increase nor decrease the size of their teams. Of those who do anticipate making changes in the coming quarter were evenly split, with 6% claiming they would add personnel and 6% anticipating staff reductions. Furthermore, research shows employers continue to have difficulty locating skilled employees. Accounting positions are the most challenging to hire for, according to 32% of CFOs, while audit and finance roles were each cited by 18% of respondents as the hardest to fill. "While the job market has become more competitive in a number of fields, demand for skilled accounting and finance professionals is holding steady," states Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. "In fact, for many key positions, it remains a challenge to find experienced candidates." Messmer adds, "The accounting and finance functions are integral in any economy. Firms focused on the need to effectively manage company resources place a premium on job applicants with success identifying cost efficiencies and controlling expenses." Indeed, 36% of CFOs who expect to expand their staff size in the first quarter say business growth is creating the need for additional personnel; 31% of executives attributed the need to hire to rising workloads.

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