Report Portrays Financial Professions' Challenging Future

A news release said the Robert Half International Financial Leadership Council recently issued a new report that includes recommendations on coping with the potential problems facing the financial industries, Charting the Future of the Accounting, Finance and Audit Professions. 

According to the announcement, the council includes representatives from the corporate world, public accounting firms, industry associations, and accounting and finance universities in the United States and Canada. 

Among other things, the group asserted in the report, according to the news release:

• Competition for the most skilled accounting, finance and audit professionals is growing at a time when the pool of candidates in many areas is shrinking or expected to do so soon.  This requires new approaches for locating and retaining these potential new hires.
• Hiring managers in the affected industries may have to start enhancing the branding of the accounting, finance and audit professions in the media and on college campuses to showcase professionals who have achieved a good balance between career and family. 
• Employers should consider offering more career guidance, projects that involve continual learning, and a better balance between routine and challenging assignments to attract with younger candidates.
• Employees in accounting, finance and auditing will need to develop strong communications and analytical skills. Said the report: “They need to be able to answer the ‘why’ behind the numbers.”
• Companies may have to start looking globally to find the talent they need in coming years.

A free copy of the report can be ordered at    www.financialleadershipcouncil.com  or by calling (800) 803-8367.