Qualified accounting professionals see benefits such as healthcare as a very important element when they consider a job. New research by staffing services firm Robert Half shows there is little to choose between the significance of benefits and annual salary when it comes to recruiting accountancy experts. The conclusion is based on the opinions of over 1,400 chief financial officers (CFOs), many of who suggested that the rising costs associated with healthcare is the primary reason why job perks are becoming increasingly important to Americans. Flexible working is now less important to finance workers than five years ago, the survey claims. According to the research, the proportion of CFOs who believe job benefits play a crucial role in the success of accountancy recruitment rose from two per cent to almost a third since 2003. Max Messmer, Chairman and Chief Executive of Robert Half International, comments: "Employers should determine and effectively communicate what makes their company a great place to work when speaking with prospective employees." Stephanie Bryant from the University of South Florida's school of accountancy told the Tampa Tribune young Americans who study towards accountancy qualifications can benefit from more options in the industry in the form of "many different avenues of specialty". The Department of Labor projects that 226,000 jobs in the accountancy and audit sector will be created between 2006 and 2016. This growth – of 18 per cent – is faster than the typical rate across all jobs. Latest government figures show the typical yearly pay packet of accountants and auditors is $54,630.  |