GOOD MORNING, CFO
The only newsletter a CFO needs to start the day right. (Made for CFOs who don’t have time to read ALL the news)
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HEADLINES & DEADLINES
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1. Auditors Put AI Under the Microscope
Internal auditors now rank generative AI as the #2 corporate risk, right behind cybersecurity. A Jefferson Wells survey shows:
35% of audit leaders list AI as a top risk.
66% are already auditing AI governance.
AI risk reviews doubled since last year. CFO takeaway: AI isn’t just an IT issue, it’s officially in the audit playbook.
2. Consumer Confidence Hits a Wall
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The Conference Board index dropped to 94.2, the weakest since April. Present-situation sentiment fell 7 points, the steepest slide in a year.
Shoppers are delaying cars and vacations, while still buying homes, TVs, and smartphones.
CFO takeaway: Households are nervous, but not broke. Expect selective spending shifts.
3. Hiring Slows, Firing Still Low
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August saw 7.2M job openings, flat MoM, with hires slipping to 5.1M.
The hiring rate fell to 3.2%, lowest since mid-2024. Layoffs remain minimal, but employers are hesitating.
CFO takeaway: It’s a cautious labor market. Jobs are posted, not filled.
FAST FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
31% = Nike’s profit drop last quarter (tariffs + inventory drag).
85 months = Sentence for fraudster Charlie Javice after faking JPMorgan customer lists.
9th straight month = Decline in consumer sentiment about job availability.
CFO-APPROVED WATCHLIST
Read: “The American corporate workplace has descended into total dysfunction.” (Business Insider)
Quote: “There are no excuses, only regret.” — Charlie Javice to the judge before sentencing (BBC)
Stat: Only 19.5% of consumers say business conditions are “good” right now.
MORNING HACKS
Add AI audits to your board update: outline current governance, risk gaps, and controls.
Track consumer pulse in FP&A models; focus on discretionary vs. non-discretionary split.
Reforecast hiring costs: a “low-hire” economy could lengthen recruitment timelines and raise premiums for top talent.
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