CFOs in the Region Bullish on Business Outlook

The 4th quarter 2017 Michiana Benchmark Business Index (BBI) compiled by the certified public accounting and consulting firm of Kruggel Lawton CPAs increased for the third straight quarter. The overall Benchmark Index was 61.33 out of a maximum possible score of 100, up slightly from the 3rd quarter.

Kruggel Lawton conducts this confidential survey of CFOs in regional for-profit companies on a quarterly basis. The survey tracks changes in companies’ revenue, profitability, and employment levels compared to the same quarter of the prior year, along with CFOs’ perception of the business outlook for their companies. Participating CFOs’ input on these four metrics is combined into the overall Benchmark Business Index to provide a barometer of the business climate in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.

Noteworthy 4th quarter survey results include:

• The overall Benchmark Index of 61.33 is the highest mark in nearly three years
• CFO optimism about the outlook for their companies jumped over five percent from the prior quarter
• Compared to survey results from the prior quarter, the Revenue metric decreased by approximately three percent while the Employment and Profitability metrics were relatively unchanged

“We launched this survey seven years ago, when many people in our region were concerned how our economy was doing,” said Terry Bush, a director at Kruggel Lawton CPAs. “Our latest survey reveals a continuing upward trend, although not at the highest levels from 2013-2014. However, the substantial increase in CFO optimism at the start of 2018 is encouraging, given the unique vantage point CFOs have in their companies. CFO optimism is up 16 percent since we began conducting the survey and we hope that translates into strong regional economic performance in the new year,” said Bush.

If you are a CFO in a northern Indiana/southwest Michigan for-profit organization and would like to participate in this survey, please contact Terry Bush at tbush@klcpas.com or call 574-289-4011.

With offices in South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana, and St. Joseph, Michigan, Kruggel Lawton CPAs is a full-service accounting and business consulting firm offering assurance services, tax consulting, estate planning, business valuation, and business accounting services. Kruggel Lawton also has national and international capabilities as an independent member of the BDO Alliance USA.