U.S. companies keen on hiring, but they see fewer candidates

Two indicators of the nation’s economic strength are colliding: demand for employees at a time when the labor pool is almost dry.

Buoyed by optimism in the broader economy — including expectations of increasing revenue, profits, and capital spending — more companies plan to hire in the next 12 months, according to a survey of finance decision-makers released Thursday by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. Companies also need to retain existing staff to keep expansion plans on track.

But there’s a hiring hurdle. The nation’s unemployment rate was 3.9% in April — its lowest point since 2000. With less available talent, companies might need to spend more time and money to compete for employees. Read more on the Journal of Accountancy.