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Robert Half: Hiring To Stay Flat

March 07, 2011

Seven percent of CFOs plan to hire full-time accounting and finance employees in the second quarter of 2011 and 7 percent plan personnel reductions, for a net of zero, according to Robert Half financial hiring index released today by Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI). Eighty-five percent of CFOs plan no changes to their staffs.

"While improved business conditions are prompting some companies to add staff to keep pace with demand, many firms are still hesitant to commit to new resources at this point in the recovery," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. "To maintain productivity and reduce the burden on their full-time teams, some organizations are hiring accounting and finance professionals on a project basis."

The Pacific states will see the most hiring activity in the second quarter. Twelve percent of CFOs plan to add full-time accounting and finance professionals and 5 percent foresee cutbacks, a net 7 percent increase. The Pacific region in includes Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.

Financial executives in the U.S. wholesale industry are most likely to hire additional staff in the upcoming quarter. A net 10 percent of respondents from the sector plan to expand their finance teams.

The survey questioned more than 1,400 CFOs in the United States.