Only 29 percent of CFOs and senior controllers at U.S. companies plan to increase their hiring in the next six months, while 22 percent say they will decrease hiring, according to a new survey.

The survey, by Grant Thornton, found that hiring was weakest among Fortune 500 companies, with 31 percent planning a decrease in hiring over the next six months and only 23 percent planning an increase.

When asked the best way to create jobs, 40 percent of the 496 CFOs and senior controllers recommended cutting corporate tax rates, while 26 percent favored cutting personal income tax rates, and 18 percent preferred creating tax credits for new hires. Another 11 percent cited government stimulus programs and 6 percent said R&D credits.