CPA Outlook Index improves

The CPA Outlook Index increased by six points in the fourth quarter after dropping eight points in the third quarter. While all of the components of the index showed improvement, the largest contributor to the increase was the outlook for the U.S. economy. The index is a broad-based indicator of the strength of U.S. business activity and economic direction that reflects the views of CPAs who are AICPA members in business and industry holding executive positions in both public and privately owned organizations of all sizes, and across a broad spectrum of industries.

Source: AICPA Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey, 4th Quarter 2011.