Oil Prices Dip, Gen Z Redefines Accounting, and Paccar CFO Announces Retirement
Good morning! ☀️
Welcome to The Workday Dash—where spreadsheets are getting street cred, oil prices are slipping, and exec chairs at the top are starting to rotate. Here’s what’s fueling the chatter today:
1️⃣ Brent and WTI are both feeling the pressure—down nearly 1%—as the oil market wrestles with trade drama, softer demand, and global “maybe” energy signals.
2️⃣ Gen Z is out here making debits and credits cool again. Accounting’s not just alive—it’s thriving (and tax-season heroic).
3️⃣ And after 39 years of trucking leadership, Paccar’s CFO Harrie Schippers is gearing up for a well-earned pit stop in retirement.
So grab that coffee, stretch out those supply chain legs, and let’s crunch into the day (with or without a calculator).
“Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.”
Oil Prices Slip—And It's Not Just About Fuel Costs
Brent and WTI are both down close to 1%—$64.34 and $60.97 respectively—as the market digests tariff tension, slowing demand, and mixed signals from global powers. Yes, China’s crude imports rebounded in March (+5% YoY), and some U.S. tariffs on electronics were lifted. But investors aren’t feeling confident.
OPEC just trimmed its 2025 oil demand forecast by 150k barrels/day, and heavy hitters like Goldman, UBS, and JPMorgan have all slashed their price outlooks. Add in the shift to contango (future oil prices higher than current ones), and we’re staring at signs of oversupply and shaky industrial demand.
Even talk of halting Iranian oil exports hasn’t reversed the trend.
✅ Why It Matters:
If you move freight, run fleets, or price shipping lanes, oil dips affect more than your fuel bill. They’re a pulse check on global trade. Fewer goods moving = leaner logistics margins.
🔥 Hot Take:
Lower oil might sound great—until it signals freight slowdowns and rate wars. This isn't just crude news; it's supply chain strategy.
Gen Z Is Bringing Accounting Back
Move over, spreadsheet stereotypes—Gen Z is giving accounting a serious rebrand.
As 340,000+ boomer accountants retire, a new wave of purpose-driven, tech-savvy students is stepping up. Through the IRS-backed VITA program, Gen Zers are filing taxes for low-income families—helping them claim millions in refunds and credits (yep, $11M+ last year).
And no, this isn’t your grandma’s number-crunching gig. Today’s accountants are using AI, tackling strategy, and landing six-figure jobs straight out of school (98% placement at Oregon State, FYI).
Accounting degrees took a dip during the pandemic, but signs point to a comeback—and not just because of the paycheck. Gen Z sees the impact. The opportunity. The security. And they’re here for it.
✅ Why It Matters:
Great accountants = smoother ops, faster turnarounds, and way fewer supply chain headaches.
🔥 Hot Take:
The future of freight might just depend on who’s balancing the books. Let the bean counters cook.
Leadership Changes & EV Commitments at Paccar
After 39 years, Harrie Schippers is handing over the CFO keys at Paccar. Brice Poplawski—another longtime company vet—is stepping up as CFO and SVP starting June 2025.
This leadership shift comes at a tricky moment: Trump’s latest executive order pushes back on federal EV mandates, but Paccar isn’t pumping the brakes. They're sticking with their battery plant collab with Cummins and Daimler, though they might tweak the timeline depending on how the market moves.
CEO Preston Feight made it clear: offering a full range of powertrain options is a strategic, long-term play.
✅ Why It Matters:
Leadership transitions and EV strategy aren’t just boardroom talk—they affect how trucks are spec’d, built, and shipped. Even with political resistance, the electrification of freight isn’t off the table—it’s just evolving.
🔥 Hot Take:
Legacy OEMs aren’t flipping on EVs—they’re just switching gears. Stay ready.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for July 18, 2025, from iLevel Logistics Inc.