Atlanta CFOs Report Third-Quarter Hiring Plans

Survey Finds Majority of Companies Optimistic About Business Growth During Quarter

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Jun 10, 2013, 09:00 ET

ATLANTA, June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) in the Atlanta area expect to add new professional-level positions in the third quarter, according to the Atlanta Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half. Thirteen percent of respondents will not be hiring, even to fill an open position, and 3 percent plan to reduce staff levels. Another 72 percent said they will hire for roles that open during the next three months.

Most executives are optimistic about their business prospects for the third quarter. Nearly nine in 10 (89 percent) CFOs expressed confidence in their company's growth potential for the quarter, with 42 percent of respondents saying they are very confident.

The survey suggests, however, organizations looking to expand and add staff may face difficulties. Of the CFOs surveyed, 44 percent said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today.

"Hiring managers are facing competition to secure the best candidates for in-demand positions," said Andy Decker, senior regional vice president for Robert Half in Atlanta. "Top performers are receiving multiple job offers and counteroffers, so companies should provide competitive compensation and benefits packages or risk losing out on the hire."

The Professional Employment Forecast was developed by Robert Half, the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm, and conducted by an independent research firm. The local results reflect a two-quarter rolling average based on interviews with 200 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies in the Atlanta area with 20 or more employees.

CFOs were asked, "What are your company's hiring plans for full-time professional-level employees in the third quarter?" Their responses:

	Third Quarter	Second Quarter
Expanding -- adding new positions	12%	12%
Maintaining -- only filling vacated positions	72%	77%
Freezing -- not filling vacated positions or creating new ones	13%	9%
Reducing -- eliminating positions	3%	1%
Don't know/no answer	1%	1%
	101%*	100%

*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.