They may be ready to hand over the keys to the company car, but they aren’t ready to hit the links full time. For this group, a career in consulting can hold appeal, suggests a Robert Half Management Resources survey. Nearly one in three (32 per cent) chief financial officers (CFOs) surveyed said the variety and challenge of work was the number-one reason they’d consider consulting. This top response was followed by flexible schedules (17 per cent) and attractive compensation (13 per cent).

The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources, the world’s premier provider of senior-level accounting and finance professionals on a project and interim basis. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 270 CFOs from a stratified random sample of Canadian companies with 20 or more employees.

CFOs were asked, “Which of the following is the most attractive aspect of a career in consulting?” Their responses:

Variety and challenge of work………………………………....32%
Flexible schedule………………………………………………..17%
Attractive compensation………..………………………………13%
Active employment………………………………………….…….11%
Ability to make decisions more autonomously…………….…….9%

“Many firms are looking for financial consultants with extensive leadership and business acumen, and a former CFO can prove to be a valuable addition,” says David King, president of Robert Half Management Resources’ Canadian operations. “Small and medium-sized businesses in particular are benefiting from the cost-effectiveness of consultant engagement for projects ranging from audit and financial reporting to IPOs and mergers/acquisitions.”

King adds, “Consulting can be an appealing career choice as professionals are often drawn to the challenge, flexibility and attractive compensation that it affords.”

Robert Half Management Resources is the premier provider of senior-level accounting and finance professionals to supplement companies’ project and interim staffing needs. The company has more than 145 locations worldwide and offers online job search services at www.roberthalfmr.com.

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