The CBIZ small business employment index rose by 1.2 percent in August following a 0.8 percent decrease in July. August has consistently been a positive month for the index.

The report found 26 percent of the small businesses surveyed added staff and 22 percent decreased staff in August; 52 percent reported no change.

“The August numbers represent continued strong hiring among our small business owners,” said Philip Noftsinger, business unit president for CBIZ Payroll Services. “At 1.2 percent, the SBEI demonstrates that we have had solid growth in five out of the last six months, with almost no month showing a decline. Historically, August has been a positive month for the SBEI, and 2014 is consistent with 2013 and 2012 data.”

The major difference is the consistent pattern of job growth from March through August 2014, a pattern not seen in the past five years of the SBEI, according to Noftsinger. 

CBIZ (NYSE: CBZ) provides recruiting and of other human resources-related services. CBIZ Payroll Services manages payroll services for more than 3,500 businesses.