Hiring index projects grpwth in finance departments

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Hiring gains are also projected in the retail and wholesale sectors across the country|ret||ret||tab|

Financial industry hiring is expected to increase in the second quarter of 2000, according to the just released Robert Half International Financial Hiring Index.|ret||ret||tab|

In a national poll, chief financial officers said they anticipate a net 9 percent increase in the hiring of accounting and finance professionals in the second quarter, up two percentage points from the first-quarter forecast. |ret||ret||tab|

Of CFOs polled, 11 percent said their companies expect to add personnel in the next three months, and 2 percent projected staff reductions. |ret||ret||tab|

The national poll included responses from 1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies with more than 20 employees. Developed by Robert Half International, the survey was performed by an independent research firm.|ret||ret||tab|

"Companies adjusting to continued business expansion and the new financial demands associated with this growth are recognizing a need for additional accounting support," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, in the release.|ret||ret||tab|

"Organizations are actively hiring professionals ranging from staff accountants who can assist with the preparation of key financial reports to executives who can provide strategic analysis and leadership."|ret||ret||tab|

By region, the mountain states are expected to experience the strongest hiring activity, with 18 percent of CFOs reporting they plan to add accounting and finance personnel and 2 percent indicating they will reduce staff for a net hiring increase of 16 percent.|ret||ret||tab|

New England states also project notable employment gains, with 15 percent of CFOs planning to add staff and 1 percent projecting cutbacks for a net 14 percent increase in hiring.|ret||ret||tab|

Staffing activity is also expected to exceed the national average in the middle Atlantic region and the West South Central region (which includes Missouri), where CFOs foresee a net 13 percent increase in hiring, and in the Pacific states, where executives anticipate a net 10 percent increase.|ret||ret||tab|

Executives in the finance, insurance and real estate sector forecast particularly strong hiring activity in the second quarter. Twenty-five percent of CFOs plan to expand their accounting and finance staff and none expect personnel reductions. Notable hiring gains are also projected in the retail industry, where 26 percent of executives anticipate staff additions and 2 percent foresee cutbacks for a net 24 percent increase in hiring.|ret||ret||tab|

Employment growth is also forecast above the national average in the wholesale sector, with a net 19 percent increase in hiring. CFOs in the business services industry anticipate a net 12 percent increase in hiring, while executives in the manufacturing sector project a net 10 percent increase.|ret||ret||tab|

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