Thirty-seven percent of private equity firms are expanding their payrolls in the first half of 2012, according to a survey conducted by auditing firm EisnerAmper. Another 56% said they expect staffing levels to remain constant, while just 7% plan to reduce headcount.

Overall, more than half of all respondents said they plan to hire new financial and operational professionals sometime this year, while a third also plan to hire research analysts. Just over a quarter also expect to add staff in compliance — a figure EisnerAmper had expected to be higher, due to increased regulatory requirements of Dodd-Frank.

[Read more at Fortune.com]