Washington, D.C., CFOs Report Fourth-Quarter Hiring Plans

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirteen percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) in the Washington, D.C., area expect to add new professional-level positions in the fourth quarter, according to the Washington, D.C., Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half. Twelve percent of respondents will not be hiring, even to fill an open position, and 2 percent plan to reduce staff levels. Another 70 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) of CFOs expressed confidence in their companies' growth potential for the quarter, with 44 percent of respondents saying they are very confident.

The survey suggests, however, that organizations looking to expand and add staff may face difficulties. More than half of the CFOs surveyed, 57 percent, said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today.

"Private sector hiring remains particularly steady in our local market, most notably within the healthcare and construction industries," said Josh Howarth, regional vice president for Robert Half in Washington, D.C. "It is still challenging for companies to identify and recruit top talent, especially in the accounting, information technology, marketing and legal fields."

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 Washington, D.C., 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 Washington, D.C., area, please contact Stephanie Sweet at (617) 330-1651.

SOURCE Robert Half International Inc.