Seven percent of financial executives said they anticipate adding employees over the next three months and three percent expect reductions in personnel. Eighty-eight percent of those polled foresee no change in staff levels.

The forecast, a survey of CFOs by the Robert Half International Financial Hiring Index, is down two points from the second-quarter forecast but up four points from hiring projections made this time last year. The national poll includes responses from 1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 20 or more employees. 

"The year-over-year increase in hiring optimism underscores recent positive economic trends that have raised business confidence levels," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International Inc. "Still, many companies remain conservative and are waiting for signs of sustainable growth before increasing their human resources budgets significantly."

Messmer added, "Initiatives related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance are fueling demand for accounting and internal audit professionals on a full-time and consulting basis. This trend is likely to continue as organizations seek to ensure the accuracy of their financial reporting and strengthen their internal controls."

Industry trends

Demand for accounting professionals is forecast to be greatest within the transportation industry. Nineteen percent of CFOs in this sector plan to increase hiring and none expect to reduce staff levels. The finance, insurance and real estate industry is projected to remain strong as well, with a net 11 percent of executives anticipating adding staff during the quarter.

CFOs working in the construction and retail industries also projected staffing activity above the national average, with a net six percent increase in hiring forecast within each sector. A net five percent of executives within the wholesale and business-services industries plan to add accounting and finance personnel in the coming quarter

Regional trends

CFOs in the South Atlantic (1) states are the most optimistic about hiring in the third quarter.  Nine percent of executives anticipate adding financial staff and none foresee personnel reductions.

"Strength in the construction and mortgage industries has been driving growth in the South Atlantic region," said Messmer. "In addition to internal auditors to help with corporate governance-related activities, companies in these states report increased demand for financial analysts, accounts payable and receivable personnel, and general accounting professionals."

A net eight percent of CFOs in the New England (2) region expect to bring in additional full-time accounting and finance staff during the third quarter.  Financial hiring activity in the East South Central (3) and West South Central (4) states is also expected to outpace the national average with a net seven percent of executives in each region projecting increased hiring.

(1) Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia (2) Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont (3) Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee (4) Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas