Strong Growth Seen in Accounting, Finance Fields

July 6, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Sixty-eight percent of accounting and finance firms participating in a new survey predicted strong to very strong company growth in 2006 - up from 47% in 2005.

A news release from the Lucas Group, an Atlanta-based executive search firm, said that of almost every industry represented in the survey, at least half predict strong to very strong growth in the next year.

Sixty-three percent plan to hire in accounting and finance within the next year. Of those companies hiring, almost nine in 10 (86%) feel hiring needs are attributed to company growth, attrition or a combination. Companies are still struggling, however, to find qualified candidates in positions such as senior-level to manager-level accounting, audit, financial analysts and entry-level accountants, according to the news release.

The survey represents accounting and finance in a cross section of industries, including banking/finance, consulting, distribution, energy, health care, manufacturing, real estate and others. While overall company revenue varied, 56% of participating companies generated more than $1 billion in annual revenue.

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