Optimism: trends higher for CPA execs.

• Position: News&trends

CPA executives are regaining some optimism about the prospects for the U.S. economy, but still believe the recovery will be slow and are cautious about plans for expansion and hiring, according to an AICPA/UNC survey.

Among the survey findings:

* Expectations for hiring remained flat.

* Overall expectations for growth in revenue and profits, prices, costs and spending were stable from last quarter.

* Customer demand, employee health care...