Operating Costs Rise for Most Global Businesses
Financial leaders report growing cost pressures and expect interest rate hikes to impact operations in the coming months.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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Are you finding that your household or business costs are continuing to rise this year?
Global accountant confidence dipped in Q3 2026 as operating costs continued to climb for the majority of businesses. Financial leaders are now navigating a period of persistent economic pressure and volatility.
Why it matters
Rising operating costs remain the primary hurdle for firms, with geopolitical instability and shifting interest rate expectations further complicating financial planning for the upcoming quarter.
The Q3 survey included 699 total global responses, with 66 coming from CFOs. Notably, 77% of U.S. respondents reported higher operating costs, an indicator of the broad inflationary headwinds cited by financial leads.
The players
ACCA
A global professional accounting body that provides research and standards for financial practitioners.
IMA
The Institute of Management Accountants, an association for finance professionals focused on management accounting.
The details
Businesses are managing tighter margins as 70% of accountants report rising costs, a trend that is hitting 82% of CFOs specifically. These managers are increasingly cautious, with nearly 50% of respondents projecting that national interest rates will rise over the next three months. While AI-driven growth provides some tailwinds, the cost burden remains the leading risk for 24% of global finance professionals.
Timeline
September 1-17, 2026: Fieldwork for the survey.
Q3 2026: The official period for the reported economic conditions.
Next three months: Window in which half of respondents expect interest rate hikes.
Market Landscape
Accountant confidence remains tethered to global market instability, notably the ongoing impact of the Middle East conflict on sentiment. This trend marks a shift from earlier periods, though the AI boom continues to offer a structural counterweight to growth.
Expect continued margin pressure as inflation persists, and prepare your finance team for potential interest rate hikes in the near term. With 50% of your peers anticipating higher rates, now is the time to review your short-term debt servicing costs and capital expenditure plans.
The takeaway
The Q3 data signals that financial leaders are prioritizing cost control over expansion due to sustained economic volatility. Operators should monitor their local interest rate announcements closely, as nearly half of global finance experts expect a tightening environment in the next three months.
Further reading
For broader trends impacting financial planning, view the latest insights in Economic Indicators.
Live Poll
Are you finding that your household or business costs are continuing to rise this year?
