Two months after recording some of its biggest gains since its inception, the Accountants Confidence Index dipped slightly again, but remained strongly optimistic.
The ACI, published in partnership with ADP, is a monthly economic indicator that leverages the insights of accountants into the strength and prospects of businesses in the U.S. The 3-Month ACI came in at 57.25, down a very little bit from the previous month's 57.74, but still well above the 50 mark that separates expectations of growth from expectations of contraction. The 6-Month ACI, meanwhile, came in at 58.99, down less than a point from last month's 59.74.
The index components were mixed -- the panel was bullish on the potential of the overall economy and their own firms, but less so for their small, midsized and large business clients.
The ACI is created from a monthly poll of the Accounting Today Executive Research Council, an online community of more than 1,500 tax and accounting professionals.