Corporate governance requirements and efforts to deter scandals have made companies more reliant on their accounting departments. A nationwide survey revealed that companies' accountants are working more closely with departments throughout the organization to uncover financial irregularities.

Developed by Robert Half Management Resources, the survey tapped responses from a stratified random sample of 150 executives from the nation's 1,000 largest companies.

Executives were asked, "How have recent corporate accounting scandals impacted how closely your accounting department works with other departments in your organization on issues relating to corporate governance?" Their responses:

Working with them much more closely 30%
Working with them somewhat more closely 47%