Boston CFOs Report Fourth-Quarter Hiring Plans

BOSTON, Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fourteen percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) in the Boston area expect to add new professional-level positions in the fourth quarter, according to the Boston Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half.  Twelve percent of respondents will not be hiring, even to fill an open position, and another 74 percent said they will hire for roles that open during the next three months. None of those surveyed indicated that they plan to eliminate positions in the fourth quarter.

Most local executives are optimistic about their business prospects for the fourth quarter. More than eight in 10 (84 percent) CFOs expressed confidence in their companies' growth potential for the quarter, with 41 percent of respondents saying they are very confident.

The survey suggests, however, that organizations looking to expand and add staff may face difficulties. A majority of CFOs surveyed, 68 percent, said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today.

"The overwhelming majority of Boston-area CFOs are optimistic about their companies' growth prospects in the fourth quarter, and the fact that none of those surveyed are planning to eliminate positions is even more encouraging news," said Bill Driscoll, district president for Robert Half in Boston. "We continue to see increasing demand for accounting and finance professionals, particularly for positions that require specialized skill sets."

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 Boston area with 20 or more employees.

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

Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. Find more information at www.roberthalf.com.

Note to editors: To speak with a local expert on employment trends in the Boston area, please contact Stephanie Sweet at (617) 330-1651.

SOURCE Robert Half International Inc.