Directors seek deeper trust with management

We continue our year-end toolkit series with insights on key areas of the year-end accounting and reporting process. Today’s episode focuses on the finance team’s engagement with the audit committee, which faces a packed agenda and expanding oversight responsibilities. We explore how management can strengthen collaboration with those charged with governance, streamline reporting, and address emerging issues such as AI, enterprise risk management, and transformation initiatives.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 1:18 – Strengthening management/audit committee communication and collaboration
• 10:10 – Key year-end issues finance teams should be prepared to address
• 15:02 – Oversight of AI: risks, opportunities, and controls
• 21:33 – Enhancing enterprise risk oversight
• 27:35 – Navigating the evolving cyber risk landscape in the age of AI
• 36:05 – Elevating proxy disclosures

For more, watch the replay of our Year-end audit committee webcast and read our publication, Your year-end audit committee guide.

In case you missed it, check out the previous episode in this year-end miniseries:

• Year-end toolkit: Accounting and reporting reminders for 2026
• Year-end toolkit: Materiality assessments
• Year-end toolkit: Cash flow classification

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About our guest

Stephen Parker is a partner in PwC’s Governance Insights Center, which strives to strengthen the connection between directors, executive teams, and investors by helping them navigate the evolving governance landscape. With more than 30 years of experience, Stephen has advised boards of directors on a variety of complex financial reporting matters. Stephen’s client service experience includes energy and utility companies, financial services companies, and nonprofits.

About our guest host

Diana Stoltzfus is a partner in PwC’s National Office who helps to shape PwC’s perspectives on regulatory matters, responses to rulemakings and policy development, and implementation related to significant new rules and regulations. Prior to rejoining PwC, Diana was the Deputy Chief Accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) at the SEC where she led the activities of the OCA’s Professional Practices Group.

Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com

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