THINK GLOBALLY - CFO Survey: International Experience Important in Finance Field
MENLO PARK, Calif., July 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial professionals do not need to be world travelers, but they will need to have a global perspective in the coming years. In a new survey from Robert Half Management Resources, nearly seven in 10 (69 percent) chief financial officers (CFOs) said international experience will be at least somewhat necessary for accounting and finance staff five years from now. The results are in line with a previous survey conducted in 2008.
The research shows demand for global expertise is most pronounced at larger companies -- and almost unanimously at the biggest organizations. Just 1 percent of CFOs at companies with 1,000 or more employees feel accountants will not need international experience. Even at the smallest firms surveyed (20-49 employees), two-thirds (67 percent) of executives say accounting and finance staff will need more than a U.S. perspective on the job.
Demand for international expertise also varies by industry. CFOs in the finance, insurance and real estate (79 percent) and the manufacturing (75 percent) sectors are more likely to look for this background.
The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources, the world's premier provider of senior-level finance, accounting and business systems professionals on a project and interim basis. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on interviews with more than 2,100 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies in more than 20 of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas.
CFOs were asked, "How necessary do you feel international experience will be for accounting and finance professionals five years from now?"
| Company size (by number of employees) |
|||||||
| All |
20-49* |
50-99 |
100-249 |
250-499 |
500-999 |
1,000+* |
|
| Very necessary |
14% |
14% |
15% |
16% |
9% |
0% |
17% |
| Somewhat necessary |
55% |
53% |
55% |
57% |
65% |
82% |
83% |
| Somewhat unnecessary |
10% |
10% |
13% |
6% |
1% |
11% |
1% |
| Not necessary |
21% |
24% |
17% |
21% |
25% |
7% |
0% |
| *Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding. |
|||||||
"The world is getting smaller for accountants," said Paul McDonald, Robert Half senior executive director. "Global businesses need staff well-versed in international accounting regulations and business practices to ensure sound reporting and compliance with local mandates and to support expansion into new countries and markets."
McDonald added, "Even small companies and those without international operations need accountants familiar with international tax laws and regulatory requirements to determine their impact on business partners, vendors and suppliers."
View an infographic featuring the research highlights.
About Robert Half Management Resources
Robert Half Management Resources is the premier provider of senior-level finance, accounting and business systems professionals to supplement companies' project and interim staffing needs. The company has locations worldwide and offers assistance to hiring managers at www.roberthalfmr.com.
SOURCE Robert Half Management Resources
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