Employers are broadening their recruiting efforts in a number of ways, according to the survey. For example, when asked what their organization has done to adapt its approach to hiring in-demand accounting and financing professional who are in short supply, 51 percent of respondents say they are considering college students or recent graduates for roles that historically weren't open to them; 51 percent are expanding their search geographically; 47 percent are hiring interim accounting and finance professionals to evaluate them for full-time roles; 46 percent have accelerated the hiring process to avoid losing candidates' interest; and 43 percent have loosened the must-have criteria to consider more candidates.

Robert Half recommends that employers re-examine their hiring criteria, and figure out which “must-have” attributes and skills can be taught on the job with a strong onboarding program. Employers should also amp up active recruitment, and take the opportunity to describe their company's job opportunities no matter the event.

Another strategies to tap a wider base of professionals include giving potential employees the option to work remotely, if the nature of the job allows for it; partnering with staffing professionals who can help quickly find and secure candidates that employers may not be able to identify on their own; and leveraging employee referrals.