A RETURN TO NORMALITY? ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCE PROFESSIONALS SEE GATHERING MOMENTUM

A RETURN TO NORMALITY? ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCE PROFESSIONALS SEE GATHERING MOMENTUM FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IN Q2 2021 Confidence remains very high, despite a marginal decline from Q1 - but regional variances point to ongoing economic uncertainty

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- Professional accountants around the world have reported a buoyant return to economic stability in Q2 2021 finds the latest edition of ACCA and IMA’s Global Economic Confidence Survey (GECS).

Over 1,100 global respondents, who are members of ACCA and IMA, report an upturn in key global activity indicators, such as orders – the proxy for real economic activity. The biggest gain in Q2 came in North America, powered ahead by a massive US fiscal stimulus.

The two ‘fear’ indices – measured by concerns that customers and suppliers may go out of business – both declined in this latest survey, confirming that the extreme uncertainty created by the COVID-19 crisis has fallen back towards more normal levels.

However, despite this optimism, stark warning signs remain due to wide regional variations in confidence, with large increases across Europe, contrasting with significant falls in Asia Pacific and South Asia. As a result, ACCA and IMA ask governments and policy makers to ensure this divergence does not grow.

Michael Taylor, chief economist ACCA says: ‘These changes reflect the speed at which vaccinations are taking place in Europe while increased COVID-19 infections are happening again in Asia Pacific and South Asia. A key theme of this GECS is the divergence in economic prospects between advanced and emerging market economies. This needs to be tackled urgently.’

Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA, adds: ‘The world economy’s recovery to its pre-pandemic size has been driven by rapid growth in the US and China, the two biggest economies. There are many jurisdictions with plenty of ground to still make up. But the difference we see between advanced and emerging markets is glaring – and action is needed on vaccines so that there are no shortages in emerging economies.’

Malaysia and Asia Pacific

For Malaysia, confidence has dropped considerably between Q1 and Q2 2021 from 14.3 to -41.2, which may be attributable to rising COVID infection, raising fears of restrictions that would hurt domestic activity and tourism. However, orders have improved from a Q1 low of -53.6 to -14.7, an improvement seen across the wider Asia Pacific geography. Findings have revealed the unusual juxtaposition of a significant drop in confidence with a healthy increase in orders, with the orders balance in Asia Pacific now at the highest level in over three years.

Asia Pacific exports are rising at a healthy rate, in line with a strong global recovery and the survey suggests that this will continue in the coming months including in Malaysia.

Edward Ling, Head of Portfolio ACCA Maritime Southeast Asia concludes: ‘Looking ahead, health and economic risks are considerable, especially if a vaccine resistant variant emerges and spreads, forcing renewed lockdown measures with consequent economic harm. On the global and national level, policy-wise it’s important that fiscal support is not withdrawn prematurely, potentially causing a setback to recovery in private demand.’

Key global findings from GECS Q2 2021 reveal:

• Confidence: This fell back in North America, but this came after a very large jump in the Q1 survey. Advanced economies are now recovering, benefitting from rapid progress on vaccinations and the spending of accumulated savings.

• Orders: In Western Europe orders saw a jump, pointing to economic recovery gathering momentum in the second half of the year. Asia Pacific also reported increased orders, boosted by export demand. Elsewhere there was little change, apart from in South Asia where renewed lockdown measures have affected the economic outlook in the near term.

• Economic recovery: The majority of respondents in North America said that economic recovery is already underway. By contrast, over half of respondents in Africa and South Asia do not expect recovery until 2022 at the earliest. Surprisingly this was also the case in Asia Pacific. In Western Europe the proportion expecting a much-delayed economic recovery has fallen by 10 percentage points between the Q1 and Q2 survey, underlining the recent improvement in the economic outlook in the region.

• Inflation: The GECS shows respondents across regions expect a modest increase in inflation over the next five years. Compared to Q1 there has been a marked increase in inflation expectations in North America, while in Western Europe expectations are for a modest increase in inflation. The consensus across all regions is that inflation will rise modestly, by up to three percentage points in coming years.

• Operating costs: The GECS index of concern about operating costs increased and is now at its highest level since 2019 Q3. But concern remains below the level that would point to a sustained big rise in inflation.

GECS is the largest regular economic survey of more than 1,000 senior accountants and finance professionals from around the world, and consistently captures the true scale of the global recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic, tracking the drop in confidence since the beginning and a new outlook in confidence triggered by the combined effects of vaccines and the fiscal stimulus. In Q2 2021, an expert panel 34 accountants took part in the GECS for Malaysia.

GECS can be found here: https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/professional-insights/global-economics/gecs-q2-2021.html

About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 227,000 members and 544,000 students (including affiliates) in 176 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 110 offices and centres and 7,571 Approved Employers worldwide, and 328 approved learning providers who provide high standards of learning and development.

Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA has introduced major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com

About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)

IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.

Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices.

Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Middle East/India. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=40576