Sentiment about the U.S. economy and CPA decision-makers' organizations continues to decline in 2025. Second-quarter results released Thursday by the AICPA and CIMA show a rising percentage of pessimists and more concern about the affects of tariffs. To analyze the results further, the JofA podcast welcomed back Ken Witt, CPA, CGMA, associate director–Management Accounting Research & Development.
In last quarter's Economic Outlook Survey, half of respondents were optimistic about their company's outlook for the next year. This quarter, that percentage dropped to 37% — and it's not the only area in which there is a decline.
Related resources:
n JofA article on how finance leaders are countering tariff volatility.
n The AICPA and CIMA's tariff resource center.
n The previous quarter's podcast discussion with Witt.
What you'll learn from this episode:
· The declines in domestic economic sentiment and own-company optimism.
· Where optimism about the global economy stands.
· Changes in the list of top challenges facing CPA decision-makers.
· The "big topic" in this quarter's survey.
· An assessment of the impact of tariffs on respondents' business planning.
· A summary of respondents' 12-month projections for revenue, profits, and spending.
