Lucas Group Reports Accounting & Finance Hiring Results from Annual Survey

Lucas Group, an executive search firm, today announced results from its annual accounting and finance hiring manager survey, which reflect positive hiring projections for the next 12 months.

The survey represents accounting and finance in a broad cross section of industries, including banking/finance, consulting, distribution, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, real estate and more. Overall company revenue varied; however, 56 percent of participating companies collect more than $1 billion in revenue.

According to the survey, business growth and hiring trends continue to increase and show no signs of slowing down. Sixty-eight percent of survey participants predict strong to very strong company growth, a significant increase from 47 percent in 2005. Of almost every industry represented in the survey, 50 percent or more predict strong to very strong growth in the next year.

ìWith strong company growth expected throughout nearly every industry represented in the survey, accounting and finance talent will continue to be in high demand,î said Andrea Jennings, vice president and general manager for Lucas Group Accounting & Finance.

Sixty-three percent plan to hire in accounting and finance within the next year; and of those companies hiring, 86 percent feel hiring needs are attributed to company growth, attrition or a combination of both. Companies are challenged, however, to find qualified candidates in positions, including senior-level to manager-level accounting, audit, financial analysts and entry-level accountants.

ìWe are still seeing a shortage of quality talent in accounting and finance,î said Jennings. ìWith our tenure, market knowledge, and international reach, we have exposure to the best talent, but with demand outpacing supply, quality talent is hard to find in certain areas.î

Shortage of qualified talent aligns with The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) findings, which report that employment for financial analyst and personal finance advisor positions is expected to increase faster than average through 2014. The BLS also reports that the demand will continue to increase for finance managerial occupations as a result of regulatory reform and the expansion of the economy.