Controllers – Always a key function, many companies are expanding their controller ranks as business intensifies. Firms need hands-on controllers and assistant controllers to plan, direct and coordinate critical activities, such as compiling financial statements, interacting with outside auditors and overseeing regulatory reporting.

Financial analysts – Companies seek experienced analysts who can help them understand the story behind their financial data and identify expansion opportunities. The most in-demand candidates have strong financial, technical and communication skills and are comfortable presenting their findings and recommendations to a variety of audiences, including top executives and boards of directors.

Business systems analysts – Businesses need analysts who possess finance and information technology expertise to optimize their systems and improve efficiencies. These professionals also are being relied upon to support new enterprise resource planning projects and related software initiatives.

Internal auditors – Companies are hiring internal auditors to help them evaluate the effectiveness of their financial and information systems, management and operational procedures, and internal controls. These professionals are needed to help businesses ensure records are accurate, controls are adequate, and compliance with corporate policies and government regulations is achieved.

Accountants – Demand is increasing for staff, senior and managerial-level accountants. Degreed CPAs are seeing renewed hiring in industry and public accounting.

Tax accountants – Opportunities are expanding for tax accountants in public and corporate accounting who can help companies navigate complex and continually changing corporate tax laws, including issues relating to Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) 109, foreign tax credits and transfer pricing.

Cost accountants – As manufacturing activity has improved, the need for skilled cost accountants has picked up as well. Professionals who can merge cost accounting with financial planning and analysis skills in a manufacturing context are in demand.

Auditors – Public accounting firms are adding auditors as business conditions improve and client companies have a greater need for auditing services, ranging from compliance-related requirements and due diligence reviews associated with mergers and acquisitions to public offering readiness.

Accounting operations – A sign of expanding business activity is the growing demand for professionals to fill core operational roles in accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and collections. Companies needing to pay more workers and collect or pay accounts at a faster rate are adding to their teams.