CHICAGO (WLS) — Job losses in the U.S. spiked in August to a five-month high of jut over 75,000 cuts a month, according to a new report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

And as employers sweat the budget crunch, financial experts at the website “MarketWatch” have tips in case you are ever laid-off.

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First, make sure to connect with your Human Resource manager to get a clear understanding of severance pay details.

Reconfigure your budget and trim unnecessary items.

You should also line up healthcare coverage through COBRA and utilize your HSA for medical expenses and for unemployment benefits.

Update your resume. And if you can, expand your skills through training or new certifications.

It’s also a good idea to prepare for the unexpected by setting up a high-yield savings account or any other cash savings account, in case of emergencies.

Here’s a link to the study for more information.

The number of people working in finance and insurance in Alderney fell last year compared to the year before, according to new figures from the island’s government.

The States of Alderney said 15 fewer people worked in the sector in March 2023 compared to 2022, taking the total down to 81 people – a drop of more than 15%.

But the overall number of people in work in the island has stayed roughly the same, it said in its annual employment bulletin.

The States said there were four more people in work or self-employed in March 2023 compared to the previous year – a rise of just 0.5%.

It said 81% of the 898 people on the island who had jobs worked for an employer and 19% were self employed.

Health and social work saw the biggest rise, with 16 more people working in the sector year-on-year (96 in total).

The number of people working in public administration also rose by 13 people to 183, making it the largest employment sector on the island at 20% of all roles.

The latest census information had the island’s population at 2,167 in March 2023.

BDO, the auditor for Indian edtech startup Byju’s, has resigned with immediate effect, marking the second auditor departure for the embattled startup in about a year and further intensifying concerns about its financial health and governance.

In a scathing resignation letter, BDO subsidiary MSKA highlighted multiple issues with Byju’s, including significant delays in financial reporting, inadequate management support, and concerns over the company’s ability to recover substantial dues from a Dubai-based entity.

The auditor’s exit comes as Byju’s, once India’s most valuable startup with a $22 billion valuation, grapples with a series of crises, including a recent Supreme Court decision to resume insolvency proceedings against the startup.

Deloitte, Byju’s previous auditor, and the startup’s key board members resigned last year, citing governance issues at the firm.

MSKA, appointed in August 2023 for a five-year term, said in its resignation letter: “There has been inadequate support from the management of the Company in providing us the books of account, information and explanations sought by us and sufficient appropriate audit evidence to enable us to complete the audit for the Financial Year 2022-23.”

In a statement, a Byju’s spokesperson said BDO’s requests to the firm required “crossing ethical and legal boundaries.”

“The real reason for BDO’s resignation is BYJU’S firm refusal to backdate its reports, while BDO went to the extent of recommending a firm that could facilitate such an illegal activity. Multiple call recordings exist, where  BDO representatives explicitly suggest backdating these documents, which BYJU’S refused to do. BYJU’S strongly believes that this is the main reason for their resignation,” Byju’s spokesperson added. 

MSKA disclosed that it has filed Form ADT 4, suggesting potential fraud or illegal activities within the company.

The resignation letter also highlighted concerns about various ongoing litigation against Byju’s and its board, including initiation of liquidation proceedings by lenders, and allegations of oppression and mismanagement by minority shareholders.

MSKA noted instances where Byju’s failed to share critical information, such as notices for EGM and insolvency proceedings, with the auditing team.

The auditor’s departure adds to the mounting challenges facing Byju’s, which has seen its valuation plummet amid missed financial deadlines, revenue shortfalls, and conflicts with investors. Top backers, including Prosus and Peak XV, have previously alleged governance issues and sought legal action to remove founder Byju Raveendran.

The edtech firm’s troubles have escalated in recent months, with the Indian Supreme Court recently putting on hold a tribunal ruling that had halted insolvency proceedings against the company. U.S. creditors are seeking to recover $1 billion from Byju’s, adding to the pressure on the once-celebrated startup.