Market confidence and career optimism for CFOs in Asia Pacific

Key Findings: (Source: Michael Page International Global CFO Barometer 2012 - Asia Pacific Focus)

• 51% of CFOs surveyed in Asia Pacific consider the economics situation in their country to be satisfactory, and a further 32% rate conditions as good. In contrast, most global CFO
• Cost and process optimisation projects are most important for CFOs based globally and in the Asia Pacific region, highlighting a consistent focus on business efficiency.
• 41% of Asia Pacific-based CFOs view their management style as ‘Leader’ and a further 28% as ‘Developer’.
• More than half of Asia Pacific-based CFOs (59%) have ambitions to broaden their role in the next two years and half the respondents (50%) are willing to relocate at an international level to expand their work experience.

29 August 2012: CFOs working across the Asia Pacific are more confident about market conditions and career opportunities compared with their global counterparts, according to findings in the Michael Page International Global CFO Barometer 2012 survey.

The survey findings, detailed in the Michael Page International Global CFO Barometer – Asia Pacific Focus report, reveal that 83% of Asia Pacific survey respondents believe economic conditions in their country are either satisfactory or good, while just 59% of globally-based survey respondents share this view when considering their respective countries. In fact, most global respondents (39%) rate their domestic economic situation as poor. Furthermore, 88% of survey respondents based in Asia Pacific rate the region as the most attractive for business in 2012; a significant number compared against the 29% of global respondents who share this view of Asia Pacific as the most attractive business region.

Despite this market optimism, business efficiency remains a key priority around the world with more than half of global and Asia Pacific survey respondents citing cost and process optimisation projects as most important.

Asia Pacific-based CFOs responding to the survey are also focused on career opportunities, with 59% looking to broaden the scope of their current role in the next two years and half the survey respondents willing to relocate at an international level to expand their experience and ultimately progress their career.

Salary continues to play a key factor influencing career choice, as indicated by 59% of Asia Pacific and 51% global respondents; however company vision and strategy is also deemed important by CFOs around the world.

The full report is available online at the Michael Page International News & Research Centre.