Houston CFOs Report Fourth-Quarter Hiring Plans

Survey Finds 9 in 10 Companies Optimistic About Business Growth During Quarter

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Sep 16, 2013, 10:00 ET

HOUSTON, Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Eleven percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) in the Houston area expect to add new professional-level positions in the fourth quarter, according to the Houston Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half. Thirteen percent of respondents will not be hiring, even to fill an open position, and 2 percent plan to reduce staff levels. Another 73 percent said they will hire for roles that open during the next three months.

Most executives are optimistic about their business prospects for the fourth quarter. Nine in 10 (90 percent) CFOs expressed confidence in their companies' growth potential for the quarter, with 41 percent of respondents saying they are very confident.

The survey suggests, however, that organizations looking to expand and add staff may face difficulties. The majority of CFOs surveyed, 61 percent, said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today.

"As companies continue to relocate to the Houston area, competition for top candidates is increasing – most notably within the information technology, accounting and finance specialties," said Phil Willingham, district president for Robert Half in Houston. "Local industries such as logistics, oil and gas, manufacturing, business services, and construction are experiencing particularly active growth."

The Professional Employment Forecast was developed by Robert Half, the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm, and conducted by an independent research firm. The local results reflect a two-quarter rolling average based on interviews with 200 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies in the Houston area with 20 or more employees.

CFOs were asked, "What are your company's hiring plans for full-time professional-level employees in the fourth quarter?" Their responses:

	Fourth Quarter	Third Quarter
Expanding – adding new positions	11%	11%
Maintaining – only filling vacated positions	73%	69%
Freezing – not filling vacated positions or creating new ones	13%	15%
Reducing – eliminating positions	2%	3%
Don't know/didn't answer	1%	1%
	100%	99%*
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.