Business executives are becoming more confident about the U.S. economy as well as their own organizations, according to the first quarter AICPA Economic Outlook Survey, which surveyed chief financial officers, controllers and other certified public accountants in executive and senior management accounting roles.

In fact, the index rose five points to 69 for a post-recession high that matches the score from the first quarter in 2011. The index includes nin equally weighted survey measures that range on a scale from zero to 100. Fifty is considered neutral, and numbers above that mark positive sentiment.

All nine components rose over fourth quarter 2011 readings with the fastest-rising element of the index being optimism regarding the U.S. economy, which increased from 40 points to 61 points. That figure dipped as low as 25 points in the third quarter of 2011. Still, while the component has gone up dramatically over the past two quarters, it continues to be the lowest-scoring measure in the index and remains below the level reached a year ago.