The survey of 200 CFOs showed 10 percent planned to add staff, while 3 percent see reductions ahead. The projected 7 percent increase in accounting and finance professionals contrasts with the national average that is flat.

"As a staffing manager, someone who is an expert in the employment market, that actually shows there's a lot of diversity and the Salt Lake City economy is very strong right now," said Emily Rushton, division director of Accountemps, a staffing agency for accounting and finance professionals. Accountemps is a division of Robert Half International, which conducted the survey.

The phone survey, conducted April 17 to May 5, included 200 CFOs of companies in the Salt Lake City area with 20 or more employees. It was part of a nationwide survey of job trends for accounting and finance positions, which included queries of 1,400 CFOs.

Although Utah's economy is better off than most states, national unemployment among accountants and finance professionals is a low 1.7 percent, said Rushton, resulting in a tight labor market.