Sharp declines in non-equity incentive compensation for Paychex’s named executives pushed salaries down for four of five leaders for the year ended May 31. Only Martin Mucci, CEO of the payroll services company, received an increase over fiscal 2019 and that was 1.7 percent.

Sentiment has improved but business executives are still glum about the economy, according to the findings of the third-quarter AICPA Economic Outlook Survey. Although it was up from 20 percent last quarter only 24 percent of respondents were a optimistic about the economy for the next 12 months.

H&R Block reported results for a very unusual period for the first quarter ended July 31. The quarter reflected large number of returns filed during the extension of tax season to July 15. Executives also spoke of the redefinition of assisted tax preparation in market in which a hybrid approach to tax preparation is spreading.