Accounting Principals Identifies Most 'In-Demand' Finance and Accounting Jobs in 2011

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The June Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment report revealed that the finance industry lost 15,000 jobs as of May 2011 – the largest month-over-month decline in more than a year. Although last month's lackluster unemployment report left something to be desired among job seekers, there are bright spots in the financial services job market. Accounting Principals, a leading accounting and finance staffing provider, has identified the top six finance and accounting jobs that are currently in demand.

Accounting Principals developed the list based on internal data from its branches around the country, taking into account the volume of job openings and placements over the last six months. The research found that companies are looking for accountants, particularly those in the oil, gas, manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality fields. The increased demand for accountants across all industries is mainly driven by the current regulatory environment, which requires every company - especially publicly traded companies - to have an efficient and properly staffed accounting department in place; employers are looking for accountants with specific industry or regulatory experience to support the CFO and ensure a compliant and profitable business.

Coming in second place on the most in-demand financial jobs list are accounts payable/receivable clerks. Demand for these professionals is often the result of increased business activity overall and is a positive indicator of economic growth. As vendor contracts, expenses and invoices increase, more support staff is needed to process these transactions. Accounts payable/receivable clerks are on the front lines of ensuring proper cash flow management - a vital function to the growth of any business.

The Full List of Top Finance and Accounting Jobs in Demand in 2011 Are:

1. Accountant
2. Accounts payable/receivable clerk
3. Financial analyst
4. Controller
5. Medical billing supervisor
6. Auditor

"Many organizations lost people to attrition in the post-recessionary environment and those companies today are again looking to staff up for positions that are vital to their business operations," said Mike McNamara, regional director, Accounting Principals. "Much of the hiring we're seeing is on a temp-to-perm basis, meaning employers bring candidates on for a short term project and then on-board them as full time employees. We view this as a very positive sign for the industry and economy overall because it means companies are looking to staff up in anticipation of future growth."

Methodology

The list of top jobs was developed using data from Accounting Principals' national branch network. The company examined more than 100 of the top job titles its recruiters work to fill daily, and tallied the volume of candidates placed in each of those positions over the past six months. The top six most in-demand positions include multiple levels (e.g., 'accountant' includes accounting coordinators to senior accountants) of a particular profession.

About Accounting Principals

Accounting Principals is a leader in the recruitment and placement of accounting and finance professionals, offering a complete range of workforce solutions in accounting, finance, mortgage and banking. Our nationwide branch network consists of experienced professionals that average five years of real-world accounting experience plus more than five years of finance and accounting recruitment experience. In addition to providing clients with a combination of temporary staffing, temp-to-hire and direct placement services, Accounting Principals also helps clients overcome their challenges through an in-depth understanding of their business needs. For more information, please visit www.accountingprincipals.com.

SOURCE Accounting Principals