As the economy continues to improve, some 40 percent of chief financial officers polled in a recent survey said those recovery dollars will likely be plowed into their IT systems.

Global staffing concern Robert Half Management Resources surveyed 1,400 CFOs of companies with 20 or more employees about which areas they were likely to invest in once the economy stabilizes and subsequently improves.

“While finance executives may remain cautious about making bold new expenditures, they understand that updating their IT systems can help improve risk management, increase operational efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance,” said Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources.

Some 18 percent of those polled indicated they would invest in new products or service lines, while 14 percent cited new locations or real estate.

Just 6 percent indicated that their recovery spending would be earmarked for M&A opportunities.

Nineteen percent replied that they wouldn’t make any investments.