Most Finance Executives Confident in Business Growth 

Financial executives are more optimistic today than they were this time last year, according to the annual Robert Half Global Financial Employment Monitor. The vast majority (83 per cent) of financial leaders surveyed worldwide are at least somewhat confident in their companies’ growth prospects. In Canada that figure was 91 per cent. Respondents also reported challenges locating skilled professionals for certain jobs. 

But while a healthier business environment and rising recruiting difficulties suggest the job market in accounting and finance may be improving globally, employers today seem less concerned about keeping top performers than they were one year ago. Forty-five per cent of those surveyed said they are at least somewhat worried about their ability to retain staff in the coming year, down from 53 per cent in 2009.

However, more than a third (35 per cent) of Canadian finance employers are at least somewhat worried about their ability to keep top performers.

Key Findings

• Financial leaders are optimistic about the outlook at their firms. Eighty-three per cent of those surveyed said they have confidence in their organization’s growth prospects.
• Employers reported difficulty finding skilled candidates for specific functional areas. Respondents cited particular challenges filling finance, accounting and operational support positions.
• The most active hiring is expected to take place at the entry and staff levels.
• Retention concerns have subsided. Forty-five per cent of respondents said they are worried about their ability to keep top performers, down from 53 per cent in 2009.

“While an air of caution remains, there are signs pointing to an improved hiring outlook,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. “Business confidence and, in some cases, demand are rising, and firms will need highly skilled accounting and finance teams to sustain their momentum and support growth initiatives.”

See the complete survey at www.roberthalf.com/GFEM .

 
Executives Bullish on Their Businesses

Globally, 83 per cent of financial leaders said they are either very or somewhat confident in their companies’ growth prospects for the next year. Nearly all managers in Brazil (98 per cent) are at least somewhat optimistic. Other countries where executives are particularly confident include Italy (93 per cent), Switzerland (93 per cent), Canada (91 per cent), Austria (88 per cent) and the United States (88 per cent).


Talent Shortages Persist

Despite high unemployment rates in different parts of the world, recruiting can be challenging for employers. Financial leaders cited the most difficulty hiring for finance, accounting and operational support positions.

In Brazil, 24 per cent of respondents said they are having trouble locating skilled accountants, 23 per cent noted challenges hiring auditors, and 22 per cent said finance professionals are difficult to find. An additional 13 per cent reported operational support roles as the hardest to fill.


Hiring Plans to Focus on Entry and Intermediate Levels

Global Financial Employment Monitor  respondents said they anticipate making the most hires at the entry and staff levels, as cited by 26 per cent and 25 per cent of those surveyed, respectively. “As the global economy improves, companies need personnel who can facilitate growth simply by performing fundamental accounting and finance responsibilities,” said Messmer. “Firms seek financial professionals with the expertise to make an immediate contribution and a commitment to advance their careers with the organization over the long term.”

Many employers anticipate hiring more experienced professionals as well. The majority of those surveyed in Hong Kong (58 per cent) and 50 per cent in Singapore indicated plans to add senior or management personnel. Globally, 22 per cent of respondents expect to hire for these positions.


Retention Concerns Ease

Although the job market has begun improving in many countries, financial leaders worldwide are less worried about retention. Fewer than half (45 per cent) of respondents said they are very or somewhat concerned about losing their most valued employees to other opportunities in the next year, compared to 53 per cent in 2009.

Heightened retention concerns were reported in Brazil (76 per cent), Singapore (75 per cent) and Hong Kong (72 per cent). Even in countries where the job market has just begun to recover, worries about retaining staff exist. In Canada, for example, more than a third (35 per cent) are at least somewhat worried about their ability to keep top performers.

“Employers who delay their retention efforts may risk losing valuable employees,” said Messmer. “When the competition for financial talent intensifies, these professionals will be even more difficult to replace.”


About the Robert Half Global Financial Employment Monitor

The study, based on the results of a survey developed by Robert Half International and conducted by independent research firms, includes responses from more than 6,300 financial executives and managers across 19 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The number of respondents varies by country and provides a representative sample of businesses in each. The results are within 95 per cent certainty, and the overall margin of error is approximately +/- 1.3 per cent.