RSM US partners with UCLA Anderson Forecast
Accounting and consulting firm RSM US has partnered with UCLA Anderson Forecast, the well-regarded, university-affiliated quarterly economic forecast which provides outlooks for the US and Californian economies.
Since its founding in 1952 by professor Robert M. Williams, the UCLA Anderson Forecast has developed a reputation as one of the more accurate and unbiased economic forecasts. The forecast was unique in predicting the seriousness of the early-1990s downturn, as well as the strength of California’s rebound since 1993, according to its website.
Economists Jerry Nickelsburg, William Yu, David Shulman, and Edward Leamer combine their expertise with leading-edge econometric models to provide quarterly economic forecasts for the US and California, with further regional forecasts for LA, Orange County, and other areas.
The forecast’s quarterly conferences and seminars draw a cross-section of leaders from the business, government, and academic spheres.
RSM has partnered with the UCLA Anderson Forecast, providing support for its conferences, publications, research, and further connecting the forecast to the business community.
As a forecast sponsor, RSM will gain exposure to the quarterly report, along with wider networking opportunities with top minds in the business, government, and academic community.
“At RSM, we understand the importance of staying apprised of economic developments and other external factors that can impact the industries we serve,” said Joe Adams, managing partner and CEO with RSM US. “RSM’s partnership with UCLA Anderson Forecast will provide us with the opportunity to gain insights from influential decision-makers and economic experts on a wide variety of issues impacting the middle market and beyond.
"As first-choice advisors to our clients, we plan to leverage this knowledge to help our clients adapt to new challenges and succeed in today’s rapidly changing economy.”
RSM provides real-time, middle market–focused macroeconomic perspectives to its clients through offerings like the Middle Market Business Index and The Real Economy – a monthly economic insights publication on the middle market written by chief economist Joe Brusuelas.
According to Brusuelas, the partnership will enhance RSM’s forward-looking observations, enabling the company to offer the best possible guidance to its clients.
“The UCLA Anderson Forecast is very pleased to have RSM as a sponsor for our programs and research,” Jerry Nickelsburg, director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast, said. “With the firm’s support, the Forecast will be able to continue to develop new data sources and insights into the trajectory of the economy. We look forward to a long and productive association with RSM.”
Kicking off the strategic partnership, RSM sponsored UCLA Anderson Forecast’s June 2019 Economic Outlook on June 5 at the UCLA Anderson School, where the quarterly outlook was presented.
The forecast projects that slowing economic growth will make a national recession increasingly likely in 2020. US GDP growth is expected to fall from 3.1% in Q1 2019 to 2.1% in Q4 2019, and 1.4% in Q4 2020.
Slowing job growth (only +40,000 per month in 2020), slowing housing starts, and a damaging trade war with China are expected to negatively impact the economy.
Related: RSM US partners with data protection not-for-profit Sheltered Harbor
