Waves of layoffs are washing over nearly every industry, it sometimes seems. Are Finance staffers next on the hit list?

Good news: Most of the CFOs recently interviewed for the Robert Half Hiring Index expected finance and accounting teams to remain intact. Eighty-four percent of CFOs said they wouldn’t change their departments in the third quarter. Among the companies considering changes, 6% said they’d be adding more staff; 6% said they’d be reducing staff.

One reason to feel secure: Many companies are having trouble finding and hiring experienced employees. Nearly one-third of companies report difficulty in filling Accounting positions; one in five cited problems with finding Audit and Finance staffers.

Competition for good jobs in many fields has grown fierce, as positions are phased out or combined with other duties. Because of the talent shortage in Finance, though, positions are more secure and there can be more opportunities.

Another reason that Finance has (so far) avoided the wave of layoffs?

As companies tighten their belts, they’re searching every nook and cranny for places to save money. Finance staffers are critical to identifying these areas, recommending cost efficiencies, and controlling company expenses.

Tags: accounting, CFO, finance, layoffs