Cell Phone 'Most Indispensable' Tool For Financial ExecsCell Phone 'Most Indispensable' Tool For Financial Execs

A survey released Friday found that cell phones remain the most indispensable tool for financial executives, although a small minority found their music players more important.

About 44 percent of the 1400 chief financial officers (CFOs) participating in the survey said their cell phones were the most important portable technology they use. The survey was conducted by Robert Half Management Resources, a specialized staffing firm.

Laptop computers were in second place with 39 percent. After that, however, there was a big drop-off, with wireless handhelds ranking third with only eight percent. Mini hard drives were in fourth place with four percent and iPods were in fifth place with 2 percent.

The company said in a statement that the number of financial execs who designated their cell phones as their most indispensable mobile tool is shrinking. A similar survey in 2002 found 46 percent cited their cell phones while 51 percent made that choice in a 1999 survey.

Laptops, meanwhile, have increased in importance -- they scored only 26 percent in 1999 and 33 percent in 2002, the company said.

Despite the trends, however, the company said in a statement that cell phones are becoming more important as their functionality increases.

"Reflecting the needs of today's busy professionals, the latest cell phone technology combines the best of both worlds, including e-mail and Internet access that allow for expanded capabilities in one tool," Paul McDonald, the company's executive director, said in a statement. "These multifunctional phones are fast becoming one device executives are expected to own and use."