More than half of chief financial officers, 53%, would hire someone with fewer technical skills if the person had a stronger "soft skills" such as communication or interpersonal abilities, according to a survey by Robert Half Management Resources, a division of Robert Half International (NYSE: RHI). Thirty-nine percent said they wouldn't hire someone with fewer technical skills and better soft skills, and 8% of CFOs didn't know or didn't answer.

"Practitioners must be able to produce financial reports and perform complex calculations, as well as explain the meaning behind the numbers," said Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources. "This requires a broader skill set, which includes strong written, verbal, and interpersonal capabilities."

The survey questioned 1,400 CFOs.