The number of full-time employees in accounting and finance departments could remain little changed in the third quarter, according to the latest Robert Half Financial Hiring Index. Ninety-three percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) interviewed expect to maintain their current staff levels in the upcoming quarter. Three percent of respondents said they plan to add accounting and finance employees, while 4 percent anticipate staff decreases. 

Despite the conservative hiring forecast, nearly seven in 10 (69 percent) executives said they face a recruiting environment that is either somewhat or very challenging. This is up from 62 percent last quarter.

The Robert Half Financial Hiring Index, part of the company's quarterly Professional Employment Report, is based on telephone interviews with more than 1,400 CFOs across the United States. It was conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Robert Half International, the world's first and largest staffing services firm specializing in accounting and finance. Robert Half has been tracking financial hiring activity in the United States since 1992.

"The eurozone debt crisis, as well as inconsistent economic indicators in the United States, may be prompting companies to take a more measured approach to hiring," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International.

"While many companies are not expected to change the size of their staff in the immediate term, financial executives continue to report difficulty finding skilled talent in high-demand specialties," Messmer added. "Positions in demand include financial analysts, senior and staff accountants, and business systems analysts."

View the research highlights.

Accounting and Finance Hiring -- By Region

The West South Central[1] region is expected to see the most active hiring in the third quarter, with a net 1 percent of executives interviewed planning to hire full-time accounting and finance employees. Two percent of CFOs in these states anticipate adding staff, while 1 percent forecast personnel reductions.

In the South Atlantic[2] states, 3 percent of respondents anticipate hiring and 3 percent expect staff decreases. Two percent of West North Central[3] CFOs plan staff increases, while another 2 percent foresee reducing staff levels.

Accounting and Finance Hiring -- By Industry

Executives in the retail industry expect to do the most hiring in the third quarter, according to the survey. Four percent of respondents in the sector said they expect to add accounting and finance professionals, compared to 2 percent who anticipate cutbacks.