Financial executives expect bonus levels similar to those in 2012, according to a recent survey by Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI). However, at companies where bonuses will change, they are more likely to rise than fall.

The survey found 17 percent of chief financial officers at firms that offer bonuses said their bonus levels in 2013 will increase over last year, compared to 7 percent of respondents who expect a decline.

The survey asked CFOs whose companies offer year-end bonuses, “Does your company plan to increase, decrease or leave employee bonuses unchanged this year?” Responses include:

• Increase from last year: 17 percent
• Unchanged from last year: 67 percent
• Decrease from last year: 7 percent
• Don’t know/no answer: 9 percent

Miami reported the largest percentage of CFOs expecting to pay higher bonuses at 28 percent. New York and Seattle followed at 26 percent each.

“Bonuses can be a valuable way to acknowledge employees’ work and help retain valued staff members, many of whom have seen their roles expand in recent years without a commensurate spike in salary,” said Paul McDonald, Robert Half senior executive director. “Firms that don’t offer bonuses, or plan to scale them back, may find other ways to reward their teams, such as training opportunities or staff celebrations. These nonmonetary perks show staff members they’re valued and their contributions are appreciated by the organization.”

The survey included interviews with more than 700 CFOs from organizations that offer year-end bonuses to employees. Respondents were from companies in more than 20 of the largest U.S. markets.