Staffing firm Robert Half International has identified five accounting and finance jobs that it says are positioned for strong growth in 2007.The information is based on research collected as part of the company's 2007 Salary Guide, as well as candidate placements and discussions with hiring managers throughout the United States.
According to the company, the professionals will the most promising career prospects over the next year include:
- Internal auditors -- National average starting salaries for internal audit managers at large companies (more than $250 million in sales), are expected to climb 5.8 percent this year, to a range of $77,500 to $101,500;
- Compliance executives -- Starting salaries for chief compliance officers at large companies are predicted to rise to $132,500 to $181,250, a 14.4 percent increase, and to $111,000 to $145,500 for those at midsized companies ($25 million to $250 million in sales), up 9.3 percent from 2006 levels;
- Financial analysts -- Base pay is expected to jump 5 percent for managers with small companies (up to $25 million in sales), to between $55,750 and $70,000, and 5.6 percent for senior financial analysts at large companies, to $58,250 to $73,750;
- Staff accountants -- The greatest gains in compensation for staff accountants (with at least three years of experience) are expected to take place at large companies, with starting salaries rising 5 percent, to between $41,250 and $52,500; and,
- External auditors -- Professionals who possess three to seven years of experience and the CPA designation are particularly valued; senior external auditors with small companies will see starting salaries increase 5.2 percent, to a range of $48,750 to $63,000.
A free copy of the 2007 Salary Guide can be ordered online, at
