{
  "id": 3927820,
  "title": "BOFH: Schrödinger's petty cash puts us in a very awkward superposition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/bofh-schrodingers-petty-cash-puts-us-in-a-very-awkward-superposition-3927820",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-28T08:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register",
    "slug": "the-register",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/bofh/2026/08/28/bofh-schroedingers-petty-cash-puts-us-in-a-very-awkward-superposition/5289510"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a tale reminiscent of Schrödinger's cat, two beancounters found themselves in a peculiar predicament with petty cash. The cash box, containing an enigmatic amount of funds, seemed to exist in a superposition of having money and being empty. The PFY, observing the spreadsheet reflected off a picture on the wall, insisted that the box did not hold no cash. The junior beancounter, however, remained firm, stating that the cashbox must be empty, as the receipts submitted for reimbursement lacked detailed information.\n\nAs the two beancounters attempted to resolve the situation, the PFY drew parallels to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, suggesting that to obtain the Boss's signature on the expense forms, they needed an event that would compel him to visit his office. This event, the PFY proposed, could be a serious complaint which, despite the Boss's penchant for sidetracking, would ensure his presence at the office. Reluctantly, the beancounters complied with the PFY's suggestion and proceeded to report the incident to the Boss, who, upon discovering that one of his laptops had been pushed off the table, demanded signatures on the expense forms.\n\nThe beancounters, having already signed the forms, entered the amounts into their laptops and verified the totals. Upon learning that the combined expense amounted to 38 pounds and 40p for one individual and 29 pounds and 35p for the other, they agreed that the figures appeared to be accurate. With the expense forms at last signed, the beancounters counted out the appropriate cash and distributed it among themselves, thus resolving the enigmatic Schrödinger's petty cash situation.",
  "summary": "Why oh why are the accountants stricter than the IRS and HMRC put together?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Register Science",
        "title": "Schrödinger's backup: not actually recovered until you try to restore IT",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/schrodingers-backup-not-actually-recovered-until-you-try-to-restore-it",
        "published": "2026-08-27T15:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}