Nineteen percent of chief financial officers in both the Phoenix and Seattle areas expect to add new professional-level positions in the third quarter, according to new Professional Employment Forecasts from Robert Half. On the other end of the spectrum, only 7 percent of CFOs in the Des Moines area plan to add professional-level positions.

CFOs were asked, “What are your company's hiring plans for full-time professional-level employees in the third quarter?” The percentage of CFOs who responded they are expanding/adding new positions include:

• Atlanta: 12 percent
• Boston: 12 percent
• Chicago: 12 percent
• Cincinnati: 13 percent
• Cleveland/Akron/Canton: 9 percent
• Dallas/Fort Worth: 11 percent
• Denver: 10 percent
• Des Moines: 7 percent
• Detroit: 12 percent
• Houston: 11 percent
• Los Angeles: 14 percent
• Miami/Fort Lauderdale: 10 percent
• Minneapolis/St. Paul: 16 percent
• New York City: 12 percent
• Philadelphia: 11 percent
• Phoenix: 19 percent
• Salt Lake City: 10 percent
• San Francisco Bay Area: 12 percent
• Seattle/Tacoma: 19 percent
• St. Louis: 10 percent
• Washington, D.C.: 14 percent

The Professional Employment Forecasts were developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. The local results reflect a two-quarter rolling average based on interviews with 200 CFOs from a sample of companies in the area with 20 or more employees.