Executives Say a Month to Fill Accounting Positions

April 7, 2010 – According to a recent survey, it can take accounting departments at least a month to hire for open positions. Chief financial officers interviewed said it takes an average of four weeks to fill a staff-level role and five weeks to bring a new manager on board. The survey, developed by >Robert Half Finance & Accounting, is based on interviews with more than 1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 20 or more employees. “Even in this cautious hiring environment, managers need to focus on their staff levels,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. “Operating with a team that's too lean could cause firms to lose out on future business opportunities and lead to employee burnout. Professionals with in-demand skills always have options, and firms that don't move quickly to secure these individuals risk losing their top choices to other opportunities.” Founded in 1948, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, a division of Robert Half International, has more than 365 locations worldwide.