Miami/Fort Lauderdale CFOs Report Third-Quarter Hiring Plans

Survey Finds Majority of Companies Optimistic About Business Growth During Quarter

News provided by

Jun 10, 2013, 09:00 ET

MIAMI, June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area expect to add new professional-level positions in the third quarter, according to the Miami/Fort Lauderdale 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 73 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. More than nine in 10 (94 percent) CFOs expressed confidence in their company's growth potential for the quarter, with 46 percent of respondents saying they are very confident.

The survey suggests, however, organizations looking to expand and add staff may face difficulties. The majority of the CFOs surveyed, 49 percent, said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today.

"Companies in South Florida are cautiously optimistic and positioning themselves for growth by utilizing temporary or project professionals to jump-start initiatives and assess their full-time needs," said Ryan Skubis, district president for Robert Half in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area. "With low unemployment rates in several accounting and finance specialties, we are also seeing top candidates receive multiple job offers with companies competing to win the best talent."

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 Miami/Fort Lauderdale 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	10%	10%
Maintaining -- only filling vacated positions	73%	80%
Freezing -- not filling vacated positions or creating new ones	13%	8%
Reducing -- eliminating positions	3%	2%
Don't know/no answer	1%	0%
	100%	100%

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 Miami/Fort Lauderdale area, please contact Lisa Montagna at (727) 576-7717.

SOURCE Robert Half