Year-end toolkit: Accounting and reporting reminders for 2026

13 snips

Jan 8, 2026

Guest

Tom Barbieri, U.S. Chief Accountant with 30+ years advising multinationals; Beth Paul, specialist in business combinations and consolidations; Bret Dooley, expert in financial instruments and banking; Pat Durbin, experienced in revenue, taxes, and inventory. They discuss AI mega‑deal structuring, equity method thresholds and disclosures, tariffs and inventory impacts, crypto accounting models, private credit classification, tax reform effects, hedge and held‑for‑sale rules.

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INSIGHT

Treat AI Mega-Deals Holistically

AI mega-deals bundle many contractual elements so assess the full commercial objective before parsing accounting treatments.
Treat multiple contracts as one combined arrangement initially to ensure holistic allocation and accounting consistency.

ADVICE

Determine Transaction Model Early

Assess consolidation and whether the arrangement is a business combination or asset acquisition before accounting for payments.
Evaluate contingent payments under the correct model since business combinations use fair value while asset models use ASC 450 estimates.

ADVICE

Carve Out Embedded Features First

Identify and separate embedded features like guarantees, leases, or derivatives before applying revenue or other accounting models.
Engage specialists across disciplines when arrangements include diverse financial instrument features.

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This episode explores key accounting and reporting considerations for year-end financial reporting. Technical leaders from our National Office share reminders and timely insights across a range of topics, including tariffs, income taxes, held-for-sale accounting, and other emerging issues–topics that are relevant for all finance teams, even if it’s not year-end close time.

In this episode, we discuss:

1:52 – AI mega-deal structuring and related accounting and reporting complexities
11:30 – Equity method accounting considerations and related disclosures
15:58 – Tariffs and trade considerations, including inventory impacts
21:38 – Crypto asset accounting models and new FASB guidance
25:16 – Accounting and reporting for private credit transactions
33:00 – Tax reform developments and income tax accounting
40:00 – New ASUs related to derivatives and hedge accounting
42:52 – Held-for-sale accounting
46:00 – OECD Pillar 2 and global tax

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About our guests

Bret Dooley is a PwC National Office Deputy Chief Accountant who leads teams focused on the financial services sectors and accounting for financial instruments. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial services, banking, and capital markets industries. Bret focuses on emerging financial reporting issues related to financial instruments, developing interpretive guidance, and assisting clients in resolving complex accounting matters.

Pat Durbin is a PwC National Office Deputy Chief Accountant. He has over 30 years of experience consulting with our clients and engagement teams on complex accounting matters, including issues related to revenue, compensation, income taxes, and inventory under both US GAAP and IFRS.

Beth Paul is a PwC National Office Deputy Chief Accountant responsible for a team of consultants that specialize in business combinations and related areas, such as consolidations, disposals, impairments, and segment reporting. She has over 30 years of experience consulting with clients and engagement teams on complex accounting matters.

About our guest host

Tom Barbieri is PwC’s US Chief Accountant. He has over 30 years of experience advising large financial services and multinational corporations on complex accounting issues. Tom leads the Accounting & SEC Services Group within the National Office, which is focused on supporting our clients and engagement teams in navigating complex technical accounting and financial reporting matters. He is also a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council.

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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