One-quarter of CFOs expect companies to create new jobs in next 6 months: Survey

82 per cent experiencing recruiting challenges

One-quarter (26 per cent) of Canadian CFOs expect their company to create new jobs in the next six months. Another 56 per cent plan to hire only for open roles, according to a survey from Robert Half.

And CFOs are optimistic about company growth: One hundred per cent reported being somewhat or very confident in their company's prospects for growth in the next six months.

"What are your company's hiring plans for full-time, professional-level employees in the next six months?"

March – Aug. 2016

Sept. 2015 – Feb. 2016

Expanding – adding new positions

26%

29%

Maintaining – only filling vacated positions

56%

54%

Freezing – not filling vacated positions or
creating new ones

18%

17%

Reducing – eliminating positions

1%

0%

"CFOs continue to exhibit a positive outlook going into the next six months, and this is reflected in their plans to hire and maintain skilled employees," said Greg Scileppi, president of Robert Half, international staffing operations. "To quickly identify and fill employee skills gaps, companies must consistently adapt to evolving business requirements, especially in areas such as technology and compliance, ensuring performance isn't affected by changing roles or talent needs."

Businesses need to enhance compensation packages to overcome challenges associated with finding and hiring talented employees, he said.

"Executives must stay on top of current trends and offer the salary levels and perks today's in-demand professionals seek, or they risk losing their top candidates to other companies."

Recruiting challenges

Eighty-two per cent of the 200 CFOs surveyed said it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today. This compares to 57 per cent in the previous six months.

Many firms are facing increased difficulty staffing financial positions, as 63 per cent of CFOs said it's much more challenging or somewhat more challenging to find skilled candidates for finance and accounting positions today compared to three years ago. 

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