Outlook 2016: Another Economic Storm Coming?

2016-ROUNDTABLE-OUTLOOK-FOR-ROSENBERG-MAP-COMMENTARY-VF-240x219Progressive firms should prepare now.

They say “past results are no indication of future performance.” Maybe. Maybe not. But if anyone should know, it’s our panel of experts, their comments drawn from the new edition of The Rosenberg MAP Survey. These are their bullet points and comments, verbatim, looking back at the last 12 months and looking ahead to 2016. – Rick Telberg, CEO

By Jeff Pawlow
The Growth Partnership

Lessons from 2015:

I am troubled about this year’s numbers, especially when combined with what I am seeing as a consultant in the profession and the anecdotal evidence all around me. In fact, I’m bearish on the short-term outlook for the profession. Call me a contrarian, but I think 2014 and 2015 will go down as the calm before the (next) storm.

MORE FROM THE ROSENBERG MAP SURVEY: Outlook 2016: Change Catches Up with Auditors | Strategic Plans Undermined by Out-of-Control Partners | Growth, Succession Plans Critical for Firms | Talent Wars Go from White Gloves to Boxing Gloves | Trend Outlook 2016: Change Agents Needed

Organic growth for responding firms in 2014 was 4.7 percent, down from 5.2 percent in 2013. Neither number could be construed as being “robust” and the downward trend is troubling given the so-called “recovery” that is supposedly happening.