Financial execs value international experience

In a recent survey developed by Robert Half International Inc., 56 percent of chief financial officers polled indicated that international experience will be at least somewhat necessary for accounting and finance professionals five years down the road. One in five people polled said international experience would be very necessary.

"A growing number of businesses are expanding internationally to reach new markets and better serve the needs of clients with global operations," said Max Messmer, chairman and chief executive officer of RHI. "As a result, accounting and finance professionals who are bilingual and have experience in foreign tax law, as well as international trade regulations and reporting procedures, are highly marketable." The survey was conducted by an independent research firm, and it in-cludes responses from 1,400 chief financial of-ficers from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with more than 20 employees. The survey is part of RHI's Next Generation Accountant project, which examines how today's trends will shape the future of the accounting and finance professions.

"The next generation of accountants should assume they'll be communicating with colleagues around the world to analyze financial data and develop business strategies," Messmer said.

The responses to the question about the need for international travel are charted above.