Accounting salaries on the rise.

Increased competition for finance and accounting professionals will lead to an average 3.1 percent rise in next year's starting salaries, according to the 2006 Salary Guide from Robert Half International.

In the wake of SOX, corporate governance positions will see the most growth, with information technology auditors seeing their average starting salaries rise 11.2 percent, to between $67,000-$94,250. Entry-level internal auditors at small companies can expect starting salaries to rise 9 percent, to between $35,000-$43,250.

It's also projected that public accounting firms will raise salaries. Entry-level accountants at small public firms will see their starting salary climb 6.5 percent, while senior accountants will see an 8.8 percent base compensation rise, to between $50,000-$70,000.

To download the survey, visit www.roberthalffinance.com/html/downloads/financials2006sg.pdf.