Hopeful accounting professionals have something to look forward to next year. According to predicted salary increases published by staffing services firm Robert Half, starting wages for accounting professionals across the board are expected to increase next year.

The pay raise is due to strong demand for staff accountants, senior financial analysts and business systems analysts. The increased pay is meant to attract more of these professionals to agencies. Robert Half reported that there is a notable talent shortage in the industry. This trend also means accounting professionals will face significantly lower levels of unemployment compared with the national unemployment rate.

"Hiring demand is placing pressure on the supply of skilled workers in many specialties, particularly in the technology and financial fields," Paul McDonald, Robert Half senior executive director, said in a news release, according to the Journal of Accountancy.

Average starting salaries for U.S. accounting professionals in general are expected to rise by 3.5 percent next year. Specifically, starting wages for corporate accounting positions are expected to increase by between 2.9 percent and 4.4 percent. Comparatively, public accounting positions will experience starting wage increases between 2.7 percent and 3.9 percent, according to predictions.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook noted that the current median salary for accountants and auditors was $63,550, based on data from 2012.

Robert Half's 2015 Salary Guide is a nationally reputable news source as it is reportedly used by the BLS when the organization assembles its Occupational Outlook Handbook. Worthy of note, Robert Half data is also used by news outlets such as USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and other reputable sources.