The severity of the recession has prompted changes likely to last. For example, the downturn caused organizations to pay greater attention to jobs that boost cash flow. In a Robert Half survey, finance and human resource managers said credit and collections and accounts receivable are the functional areas that have increased most in importance in their accounting and finance departments as a result of the recession.

Companies also are learning to avoid narrow job descriptions. Faced with minimal staffing levels, firms are expanding individual responsibilities to take advantage of the diverse knowledge base that some professionals possess. A growing number of employers are seeking candidates who possess previous experience in multiple accounting and finance specialty areas and can fill a variety of roles.

In addition, more businesses recognize that building capable teams that can see them through the rest of the downturn and beyond requires a staffing strategy focused on flexibility. By using a mix of core full-time employees supplemented by project professionals, companies can keep expenses down, reduce the need for layoffs and quickly adjust personnel levels as economic conditions dictate.