PwC's accounting podcast

Geopolitical shifts are reshaping infrastructure decisions as companies navigate growing demand for AI and data centers, energy constraints, global supply chain dependencies, and climate-related pressures. We discuss how these interconnected forces are creating strategic vulnerabilities and critical dependencies—and how companies can build resilience while identifying opportunities in an evolving global environment.Key topics and timestamps1:45 — Geopolitics and infrastructure strategy 6:29 — AI, data centers, and global dependencies 11:12 — Power grid challenges and energy demand 17:59 — Identifying strategic vulnerabilities 22:47 — Balancing sustainability and energy security 29:16 — A framework for board-level risk oversight34:04 — Turning geopolitical risk into opportunityFor more details on geopolitics and infrastructure, check out these other publications:Climate Week 2026 recap: Key takeaways from the conversations happening on the groundManaging geopolitical risk in a more turbulent world — 7 things to considerFollow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop for the latest thought leadership on sustainability standards. About our guestCraig Stronberg is the Senior Director of PwC Intelligence. He works for PwC leaders, enabling decision confidence about how geopolitics impacts business strategy and investment. He leads the geopolitical capability for PwC Intelligence, spearheading a team of analysts that provide global intelligence to key stakeholders. In addition, he is the primary geopolitical risk advisor to PwC leadership and the PwC board of directors.About our hostHeather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability and Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC’s global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series.TranscriptsTranscripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Finance and management teams play an important role in helping audit committees stay informed, focused, and prepared in a fast-changing business environment. We discuss how management can better support audit committee oversight through timely information, thoughtful scenario analysis, effective pre-read materials, and more forward-looking discussions—including as boards consider evolving areas such as AI, cybersecurity, geopolitical uncertainty, and regulatory change.Key topics and timestamps2:54 — Audit committee priorities5:15 — Scenario planning and analysis 7:01 — Effective pre-reads and meeting materials 10:10 — AI oversight and governance 13:15 — Key risks on the agenda 17:48 — Board priorities for what’s aheadAdditional ResourcesFor more on supporting effective audit committee oversight, check out these PwC publications:Board oversight of AI transformationOverseeing the external auditorsFinancial reporting oversightFor more conversations like this one, join our Quarterly accounting webcast. Each quarter we bring together PwC specialists and prominent external guests to share diverse perspectives on the latest developments in accounting and reporting, along with timely insights to help you prepare for the reporting cycle ahead.Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay informed.About our guestLaura Hay serves on the boards of MetLife [NYSE: MET], Everest Group [NYSE: EG], and Hippo Holdings [NYSE: HIPO]. She chairs the audit committees of MetLife and Everest and contributes to Audit, Risk & Finance, Tech/Cyber and Nominating & Governance Committees between the three boards. She previously served on the board of KPMG US, chairing its Compensation/Pension and Nominating Committees and contributing to Risk and Audit/Finance.About our guest hostKathy Nieland is a partner in PwC’s Governance Insights Center, where she leads governance practices for directors serving on audit committees. She has over 30 years of experience in providing assurance and advisory services to PwC clients. Her current roles also include oversight of PwC’s largest global industrial and services audit clients. Client service experience includes serving Global SEC registrants in the chemicals, manufacturing, engineering and construction, energy services, clean technology, metals, retail, and services industries.  TranscriptsTranscripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Kassie Bauman, a PwC National Office tax accounting specialist, and Keith Rymer, a veteran tax advisory partner, return to the fundamentals of interim tax provisions. They explore forecasting ordinary income, calculating the annual effective tax rate, identifying discrete items such as impairments and tax-law changes, handling exceptions, and navigating interim disclosures.

Tariffs levied by the US government continue to evolve, creating significant implications for finance and accounting teams, from accounting for tariff refunds and staying ahead of rising enforcement activity to financial reporting and internal controls. This episode explores recent tariff developments and what a finance team should have on its radar ahead of year-end reporting season.Key topics and timestamps1:32 — Why tariffs matter to finance teams3:56 — IEEPA tariff refunds6:32 — Accounting for tariff refunds14:22 — Sections 232 and 30119:43 — How tariff stacking works26:32 — US-Canada trade developments30:55 — Heightened tariff enforcement37:13 — Year-end reportingAdditional resourcesFor more, read our in depth, Accounting implications of tariffs. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay informed.About our guestSharon Martin is a principal with PwC’s Customs and International Trade practice with extensive experience advising clients on both trade compliance and strategic planning related projects. Sharon has worked with clients in a variety of industries providing strategic advice on customs advisory, risk mitigation, and duty planning.About our guest hostPat 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.TranscriptsTranscripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected]. Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

To close out our four-part Back to basics discussion on consolidation accounting, we turn to presentation and disclosure. In this episode, we discuss how consolidated entities are reflected in the financial statements, the disclosure requirements for both variable interest entities (VIEs) and voting interest entities (VOEs), and what a company may need to disclose when it holds an interest in a VIE but does not consolidate it.Key topics and timestamps2:28 – The purpose of consolidated financial statements and the guiding frameworks6:20 – General consolidation presentation and disclosure principles8:28 – Principles and objectives for the presentation and disclosure of variable interests in VIEs, including from the perspective of: 12:51 – A holder of variable interests in a VIE, regardless of primary beneficiary status14:51 – A primary beneficiary of a VIE16:47 – An entity with variable interests in VIEs for which it is not the primary beneficiary21:05 – Presentation and disclosure for VOEsAdditional resourcesThis episode is part of our Back to basics series, where throughout the year we’ll revisit core accounting topics. This is the fourth and final episode focused on consolidation. In the first three episodes, we covered the foundations of consolidation accounting, how to determine whether an entity is a VIE, and how to identify which party, if any, should consolidate a VIE.Back to basics: Consolidation–Getting startedBack to basics: Consolidation–Identifying a VIEBack to basics: Consolidation–Determining the primary beneficiaryLooking for more guidance on consolidation accounting? See PwC’s Consolidation guide. For more on consolidation presentation and disclosure, see chapter 18 of our Financial statement presentation guide. Also, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.About our guestsAlexander Martin is a partner in PwC's Deals practice who specializes in helping clients solve complex accounting, financial reporting, and business issues arising from deals, structured transactions, and other transformational events. With over 15 years of experience, Alexander has deep expertise in US GAAP and SEC reporting, gained through his roles as an advisor in PwC's Deals practice, a regulator at the SEC, and most recently as a partner in PwC's National Office.Matt Sabatini is a deputy chief accountant in PwC's National Office who helps clients and engagement teams navigate the accounting and financial reporting for complex transactions. He specializes in the accounting for M&A, consolidations, corporate reorganizations, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and other investments.About our guest hostDiana 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. She is also one of the firm’s technical experts on sustainability reporting. 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.TranscriptsTranscripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Alexander Martin, a PwC Deals partner, and Matt Sabatini, a National Office deputy chief accountant, unpack how to identify a variable interest entity’s primary beneficiary. They explore power over significant activities, economic exposure, shared decision-making, related parties, de facto agents, disclosures, and when conclusions must be reassessed. Practical examples span asset management, real estate, and power plants.

Get a refresher on consolidation accounting with a deeper look at how to determine whether an entity is a variable interest entity (VIE). We cover key considerations, including understanding the entity’s purpose and design, identifying variable interests and equity at risk, and evaluating the characteristics used to determine whether an entity is a VIE.This episode is part of our new Back to basics series, where throughout the year, we’ll revisit core accounting topics. It is the second of four episodes on consolidation. In our first episode, Back to basics: Consolidation—Getting started, we laid the foundation for consolidation accounting. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes covering how to determine which party, if any, should consolidate a VIE, followed by an episode on presentation and disclosure considerations.Looking for more guidance on consolidation accounting? See PwC’s Consolidation guide. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.About our guestsMatt Sabatini is a deputy chief accountant in PwC's National Office who helps clients and engagement teams navigate the accounting and financial reporting for complex transactions. He specializes in the accounting for M&A, consolidations, corporate reorganizations, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and other investments.Alexander Martin is a partner in PwC's Deals practice with over a decade of deals experience, helping clients solve complex accounting, financial reporting, and other business issues that arise from transaction-driven events such as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and capital raises. About our hostHeather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability & Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC’s global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected]. Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Get a refresher on consolidation accounting, including an overview of the consolidation framework, the variable interest entity (VIE) and voting interest entity (VOE) models, and key scope considerations. This episode is part of our new Back to Basics series that revisits core accounting topics.This episode lays the foundation for our next three Back to basics episodes on consolidation. We’ll take a deeper look at identifying a VIE, determining which party, if any, should consolidate it, and consolidation presentation and disclosure. Stay tuned as the remaining episodes are released over the next two weeks.Looking for more guidance on consolidation accounting? See PwC’s Consolidation guide. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.About our guestsMatt Sabatini is a deputy chief accountant in PwC's National Office who helps clients and engagement teams navigate the accounting and financial reporting for complex transactions. He specializes in the accounting for M&A, consolidations, corporate reorganizations, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and other investments.Alexander Martin is a partner in PwC's Deals practice with over a decade of deals experience, helping clients solve complex accounting, financial reporting, and other business issues that arise from transaction-driven events such as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and capital raises.About our hostHeather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability & Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC’s global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Environmental credits accounting is changing with the introduction of ASC 818 (created by ASU 2026-02). New FASB guidance establishes a consistent accounting model for environmental credits and related obligations, addressing recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure. This episode explores key aspects of the new standard, including the intent-based recognition model, accounting for voluntary versus compliance credits, environmental credit obligations, and considerations for adoption.For more, see our publication Environmental credits accounting: FASB issues new standard and chapter 7 of PwC’s Property, plant, equipment and other assets guide.Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.About our guestsMichael Pratt is a partner in PwC's National Office, working on sustainability methodology and thought leadership. His background is in the power and utility sector where he works with companies helping to shape the evolution of how we produce and consume energy. He continues to focus on emerging power and utility sector accounting questions and issues.Logan Redlin is a director in PwC’s National Office where he focuses on thought leadership strategy and content development related to accounting and financial reporting, sustainability reporting, and standard setting. Prior to this role, Logan spent 15 years in the audit practice, serving both public and private companies with a primary focus on asset management and real estate.About our hostHeather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability and Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC’s global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Colin Powell, PwC Canada’s Technical Net Zero Leader with a PhD in wastewater treatment modeling, discusses the GHG Protocol consolidation and timeline. He highlights Land Sector Removals guidance, scope 3 changes for financed and facilitated emissions, book-and-claim for low‑carbon products, California SB 253 updates, and practical readiness steps companies can take now.