Robert Half

Robert Half Inc. is an international human resource consulting firm founded in 1948, based in Menlo Park and San Ramon, California. It is among the world's largest accounting and finance staffing firms, with over 345 locations worldwide.

Through its Accountemps, Finance & Accounting, and Management Resources divisions, the company provides staff in the fields of accounting and finance. Other divisions include Robert Half Technology, providing software, application, IT infrastructure and operations professionals; Office Team, which specializes in administrative and customer service staffing; The Creative Group, which focuses on design, artistic, and creative talent; and Robert Half Legal, which provides staffing for legal professionals. In 2002, Robert Half founded a subsidiary, Protiviti Inc., to provide internal audit, financial, operations, technology, governance, and risk consulting services.

History
Robert Half Inc. was founded in 1948 in New York City,  as two separate business entities: the Robert Half (RH) section as "an employment agency for accountants", and the Accountemps section "to supply accountants and other financial professionals… on a temporary basis".

The firm went public in 1987, then expanded its operations into Europe in 1993. In addition to the Accountemps brand, the firm expanded to include specialty groups focusing on technology, legal and creative services personnel. In 1991 the company acquired The Affiliates, renaming it as Robert Half Legal.

Robert Half also provides independent risk consulting, internal audit and information technology consulting services via its Protiviti subsidiary, founded in 2002 with the acquisition of former employees of Arthur Andersen. Since then, the group has grown from 700 to over 2,900 staff. In 2003, the company bought back the last of the few remaining independent franchise operations.

In 2006, the company, through its subsidiary Protiviti Inc., acquired the assets of PG Lewis & Associates, a provider of data forensics and cybersecurity services founded in 2003. The financial terms were not disclosed.

In April 2022, Robert Half moved its legal consulting service line to Protiviti, allowing the subsidiary to expand its legal consulting practice.

Verified sources

 * AT Staff, "Staffing Firm Founder Robert Half Dead at 82," Accounting Today, September 24, 2001, p. 56.
 * Brandstrader, J.R., "It's an Ill Wind," Barron's, March 25, 1996, p. 18.
 * Byrnes, Nanette, et al., "The Good CEO," Businessweek, September 23, 2002.
 * Caldwell, Douglas E., "The New Economy's Gold Digger," Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, March 16, 2001, p. 38.
 * Desloge, Rick, "Robert Half, Kelly Services Share in Temp Firm Growth," St. Louis Business Journal, December 1, 1997, p. 24.
 * Fleming, Eric C., "Job-Recruiter Blues: Will Paltry Demand Drain Robert Half Shares?," Barron's, November 11, 2002, p. T8.
 * Jordon, Steve, "New Risk-Consulting Firm Lures Ex-Andersen Employees," Omaha World Herald, June 6, 2002.
 * Lenz, Edward. "Flexible Employment: Positive Work Strategies for the 21st Century," Journal of Labor Research, 1996.
 * Marsh, Ann, "We're Your Talent Agent," Forbes, August 10, 1998, p. 104.
 * Morningstar Staff, "Morningstar Names Max Messmer of Robert Half International as 2003 CEO of the Year," Morningstar, January 6, 2004.
 * Murphy, Victoria, "Robert Half International: Everyone Need Apply," Forbes, January 8, 2001, p. 106.
 * NATSS Staff, "Temporary Help Services Continue Growth; Several Factors Cited," Alexandria, Va.: National Association of Temporary Staffing Services, June 17, 1996.
 * Robson, Douglas, "Half's Measures: Robert Half Harnesses Outsourcing Trend to Prove that Even Big Businesses Can Grow Quickly," San Francisco Business Times, April 18, 1997, p. 5A.
 * Siwolop, Sana, "Renting the Workers, But Buying the Stock," The New York Times, December 15, 1996.
 * Svaldi, Aldo, "California-Based Staffing-Services Firm Hires 760 Andersen Accountants," Denver Post, June 6, 2002.