GOOD MORNING, CFO
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
If you thought pumpkin spice was the only seasonal shift you had to budget for this week, think again. Inflation, CPA licensing, and Powell all want a spot on your spreadsheet. 🎃
In this issue:
Persistent inflation, persistent headaches
Pay packages meet the foggy future
The Fed hints, markets jump
HEADLINES & DEADLINES
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Inflation not cooling anytime soon A National Association for Business Economics survey says most economists now expect inflation to stay above 2% through 2026. Six in 10 also think fiscal policy remains “too stimulative,” the highest share since 2018. Translation: don’t plan your cash flow around relief just yet.
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Executive pay rethink Uncertainty is forcing boards to review incentive plans, according to Korn Ferry. CFOs, your input is no longer optional; it’s the lever. As Korn Ferry’s Ron Seifert put it, leaders are re-designing pay in real time to match a murky economy.
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New CFO on deck at UHY Laura LaPeer steps in as CFO of UHY, a major accounting firm. Growth plans: organic expansion and private equity–backed deals. Expect deal flow and diligence to be her first language.
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CPA license shake-up Half the country could see new licensure laws by year-end. Schools, firms, and regulators are scrambling to figure out how the new rules mesh. If you’re hiring or mentoring, this hits you directly.
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Powell clears a path In Jackson Hole, Fed Chair Jerome Powell flagged labor market weakness. Futures traders quickly raised bets on a September 17 rate cut. Consider this your advance notice for refinancing chatter.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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Bloomberg: Fed’s Jackson Hole exposes the rocky road ahead.
NYT: Fed tries to stay focused as Trump’s attacks heat up.
WSJ: Immigration drop reshaping U.S. labor market.
Reuters: Trump’s Intel-style deal push rattles business leaders.
FAST FACTS
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2%: Inflation target the Fed keeps missing
6 in 10: Economists calling fiscal policy “too stimulative”
50%: States likely adopting new CPA licensing laws by year-end
Sept. 17: Fed’s next move on rates
MORNING HACKS
Run a pay-plan stress test: model incentive packages under three economic scenarios (persistent inflation, shallow recession, rate cut cycle).
Track CPA pipeline risk: if half of states shift rules, update your HR and recruiting strategy now, not later.
👋 Still grinding as a corporate CFO? Why?
Take the leap: build a fractional practice that buys back your time and grows your income.