PwC's accounting podcast

Angela Fergason, an accounting and revenue expert, shares insights on the latest trends in revenue recognition. Topics discussed include everything as a service arrangements and their complexities, revenue contract modifications, non-cash consideration revenue model, considerations for revenue arrangements with significant financing, and SEC comment letter trends in accounting for revenue.

The European Commission has adopted a set of proposals, known as the European Green deal, with the aim of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) by at least 55% by 2030, and achieving zero net emissions by 2050. In addition to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), another pillar of this policy is the creation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a new border tax aimed at equalizing the price of carbon paid for EU products operating under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) with that of similar imported goods.CBAM is likely to impact the cost of carbon in global supply chains, and also has reporting obligations beginning as early as October of 2023, and the regulation has raised many questions. Which companies will it impact? What products are in scope? Will it impact companies that don’t do business in the EU?This week, Heather Horn was joined by Barry Murphy and Niels Muller, PwC partners who are following CBAM, to share their insights on what it means and what companies can do now to prepare.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:2:26 - An overview of the EU Green Deal and CBAM9:37 - How CBAM is intended to spur global alignment on carbon pricing13:26 - Effective dates, applicable products, and other details of the regulation25:58 - The current status of verification (audit) requirements and how these may evolve29:39 - How CBAM could potentially impact the cost of carbon in global supply chains33:59 - Recommendations for companies that want to begin preparing for CBAM ahead of the October 2023 effective dateWant to learn more about CBAM? Watch our webcast series.Barry Murphy is PwC’s Global ESG leader for Tax and Legal Services. Based in the UK, he has 20 years of experience advising clients on their domestic and international tax affairs. He is also focused on driving compliance solutions with the digital first approach. Niels Muller is a PwC partner based in the Netherlands specializing in energy transitions and sustainable energy. In this role he advises institutional investors, financial institutions, and utility companies as well as governments and non-governmental organizations on sustainability and tax projects.Heather Horn is PwC’s National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. With over 30 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Every Tuesday in May, Jennifer Spang is taking over the podcast to share the latest on income tax accounting — recent global and US tax policy developments, standard setting activity, and tax accounting considerations related to common transactions, such as business combinations and spinoffs.To continue the series, Heather and Jenn are joined by Matt McCann, a partner in PwC’s National Office, to share insights on the practical challenges that arise in the tax accounting for spinoff transactions.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:1:30 - What a spinoff transaction is and the SEC filing requirements, including the preparation of carve-out financial statements7:48 - Considerations related to allocating the consolidated income tax provision to the carved-out entity 18:22 - Other practical tax challenges in carve outs including valuation allowance assessments, uncertain tax positions, and tax sharing agreements 28:30 - The importance of robust disclosures when attributes or assertions are expected to change post spin35:52 - Planning for tax complexities post spin and final advice for companies For more information, read our Income taxes and Carve-out financial statements guides. Additionally, check out our prior podcast on taxes in separate company financial statements. Jennifer Spang is PwC’s National Office income tax accounting leader, specializing in tax accounting under US GAAP and IFRS. She has over 25 years of experience helping companies in a variety of industries navigate complex tax accounting matters. Matthew McCann is a partner in PwC's National Office who provides consultation in the areas of revenue recognition and income taxes. He has over 25 years of experience and previously served as the leader of the Consumer & Industrial Products Sector Assurance Practice in North Texas.Heather Horn is PwC’s National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. With over 30 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

With so much focus on the SEC’s climate disclosure proposal in the US this year, climate has taken the attention of many preparers – and for good reason. However, another topic, natural resources and biodiversity, is coming to the forefront as governments and companies begin to understand the size of the problem, both in terms of its potential impact on business and the potential impact of business on biodiversity. But with many competing priorities, how do companies also contemplate nature issues in their strategy?This week, Heather Horn was joined by guests at the forefront of the nature space:Will Evison, director in PwC UK’s Global Sustainability, Climate, and Nature Strategy practiceEva Zabey, CEO of Business for NatureJulie Moorad, Senior Manager of Climate Action at SalesforceOur panel shares their insights on ways companies are strategizing and integrating the topic of nature into their operating models.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:1:42 - Synergies between climate initiatives and nature positive policies15:11 - Transforming your nature strategy to manage risk and create value27:32 - The interrelationships among natural capital, business operations, and the broader economy37:45 - The importance of starting a nature positive path now even though strategies may evolve in the long term43:03 - The importance of building capacity in nature strategy and reporting46:44 - Final advice for companies wanting to integrate nature positive strategies into everyday operationsInterested in more background on measuring and reporting nature and biodiversity? Listen to our previous podcast in the “Becoming nature positive” series, and check out PwC’s global nature hub here.Will Evison is a director in PwC UK’s Global Sustainability, Climate, and Nature Strategy practice, specializing in integrating natural and social capital analysis into decision making. With over 18 years’ experience delivering climate and nature-related projects with businesses, investment firms and public sector organizations across more than 20 countries, he also led the development of PwC’s Total Impact Measurement and Management methodologies (TIMM), and now manages PwC’s global TIMM center of excellence. These methodologies utilize predictive analytics, health economics, and wellbeing techniques to model outcomes.Eva Zabey is the CEO of Business for Nature, which is a global business-led coalition aiming to reverse nature loss and restore the planet’s natural systems on which economies, wellbeing and prosperity depend. Previously, she led natural capital projects at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development for 15 years.Julie Moorad is a Senior Manager of Global Climate Action for Salesforce. Her team leads Salesforce’s international sustainability strategy, Europe, Middle East, and Africa sustainability program and developing our nature strategy, and implements nature positive policies that drive economic value firmwide and for their customers.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Every Tuesday in May, Jennifer Spang is taking over the podcast to share the latest on income tax accounting — recent global and US tax policy developments, standard setting activity, and tax accounting considerations related to common transactions, such as business combinations and spin-offs.To continue the series, Heather and Jenn are joined by Kassie Bauman, a managing director in PwC’s National Office, to share their insights on income tax accounting for business combinations.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:2:01 - An overview of the applicable guidance and a summary of steps to take when assessing tax considerations of a business combination7:13 - The importance of the tax status of the entities involved and distinguishing between taxable and non-taxable transactions 20:53 - Identifying and measuring temporary tax differences related to business combinations23:36 - Deferred taxes associated with goodwill and considerations on the valuation allowance assessment34:26 - Other common tax accounting considerations in business combinations including the measurement period, uncertain tax positions, and indemnifications 37:32 - Final thoughts, including deal economics considering tax For more information, read our Business combinations and Income taxes guides, and check out a prior podcast on accounting for business combinations. Jennifer Spang is PwC’s National Office income tax accounting leader, specializing in tax accounting under US GAAP and IFRS. She has over 25 years of experience helping companies in a variety of industries navigate complex tax accounting matters. Kassie Bauman is a managing director in PwC's National Office who consults on tax accounting under US GAAP and IFRS. Kassie has more than 20 years of auditing and accounting experience addressing complex technical accounting matters. Heather Horn is PwC’s National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. With over 30 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has been working quickly through deliberations on its proposals to create a comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures. Final standards are expected by the end of Q2 2023. But implementing an effective global baseline goes beyond simply setting standards – it requires a new set of capabilities, infrastructure, knowledge, and talent in economies around the world.How will this be accomplished? This week, Heather Horn was joined by Jingdong Hua, Vice Chair of the ISSB, and Mardi McBrien, Strategic Affairs Director of the IFRS Foundation, to discuss the topic of “capacity building” and how the IFRS Foundation is focused on bringing the global reporting community along the sustainability reporting journey.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:2:29 - What capacity building means4:59 - How the ISSB is creating partnerships to advance its progress toward building capacity12:35 - The importance of interoperability across jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks17:50 - The ISSB’s three-part capacity building framework26:21 - How the ISSB is bringing together stakeholders with varying interests for common goals28:40 - Expectations on timing of release of final ISSB standards and resources for companies to prepareWant to hear more about the ISSB? Listen to our previous podcasts on its fast-paced deliberations as well as PwC’s responses to the ISSB exposure drafts. For more on how ISSB standards compare to other proposals, read our publication: Navigating the ESG landscape.Jingdong Hua is the Vice Chair of the ISSB. His role on the board is to develop and implement the ISSB’s strategies to support and include stakeholders in emerging and developing economies as well as small and medium-sized companies. He is the former Vice President and Treasurer of World Bank, where he specialized in sustainability bonds and developed the world’s first “green-bond.” Mardi McBrien is the Director of Strategic Affairs at the IFRS Foundation responsible for sustainability reporting. In this role she has played an active part in setting up the ISSB. Prior to the IFRS Foundation, Mardi spent over a decade leading the global ESG standard setter, the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB), in developing quality disclosure standards and thought leadership on environmental and social issues.Heather Horn is PwC’s National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. With over 30 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Every Tuesday in May, Jennifer Spang is taking over the podcast to share the latest on income tax accounting — recent global and US tax policy developments, standard setting activity, and tax accounting considerations related to common transactions, such as business combinations and spin-offs.To continue the series, Heather and Jenn are joined by Kassie Bauman, managing director in PwC’s National Office, to share insights on income tax accounting for equity method investments.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:1:31 - An overview of the equity method of accounting under GAAP for book purposes6:21 - Book versus tax basis differences and when to record deferred taxes on equity method investments8:52 - Income tax accounting implications when an investee becomes a subsidiary (or vice versa) through changes in ownership and control13:43 - Income tax considerations related to equity method investments in partnerships, including the “look-through” policy election and inside and outside tax basis differences25:45 - Final advice and common income tax questions on equity method investmentsFor more information, read our Equity method and Income taxes guides. Additionally, check out our prior podcasts, Part 1 and Part 2, on applying the equity method.Jennifer Spang is PwC’s National Office income tax accounting leader, specializing in tax accounting under US GAAP and IFRS. She has over 25 years of experience helping companies in a variety of industries navigate complex tax accounting matters. Kassie Bauman is a managing director in PwC's National Office who consults on tax accounting under US GAAP and IFRS. Kassie has more than 20 years of auditing and accounting experience addressing complex technical accounting matters. Heather Horn is PwC’s National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. With over 30 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

With a multitude of ESG disclosure and reporting requirements coming into play around the world, it’s easy to begin viewing sustainability as nothing more than a compliance and reporting obligation – something that must be done but that doesn’t actually create value.But what if that perspective is limited? This week, Heather Horn was joined by Jamie Gamble, PwC managing director, to discuss how leading companies and their boards are viewing sustainability as an opportunity to reflect on the issues that are core to their businesses’ value creation – and integrating these issues into their strategies to create sustainable, long-term value. This is what Jamie calls “sustainable value governance.”In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:3:20 - The marketplace factors driving demand for sustainable progress6:30 - How investors and other stakeholders are beginning to understand the long term value embedded in ESG issues14:54 - A four-part framework for sustainable value governance28:20 - How robust reporting for the board supports companies in making progress on the issues that drive sustainable value36:40 - How and why the finance function is playing a central role in the company’s sustainability policy setting and reporting42:46 - The benefits that accrue to companies from having a clear, consistent process for identifying the sustainability issues that are relevant for their businessWant to hear more from Jamie? Listen to his previous podcast on governance in the SEC’s climate disclosure proposal.Jamie Gamble is a managing director in PwC's Trust Solutions practice with over 25 years of experience focused on corporate governance, cybersecurity, workforce, and ESG-related issues. Before joining PwC, he was a litigation partner at a major law firm.Heather Horn is PwC’s National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. With over 30 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

With so much focus on the SEC’s climate disclosure proposal in the US this year, climate has taken the attention of many preparers – and for good reason. However, another topic, natural resources and biodiversity, is coming to the forefront as governments and companies begin to understand the size of the problem, both in terms of its potential impact on business and the potential impact of business on biodiversity. This week, Heather Horn was joined by Alan McGill, a partner in PwC’s Global Sustainability, Reporting, Measurement and Assurance practice, and PwC Global sustainability topic team leader Andreas Ohl to discuss the measurement of and reporting on the topics of nature and biodiversity.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:2:05 - The current state of company readiness to report on nature and biodiversity8:19 - How all types of businesses exhibit indirect dependencies on nature and exposure to nature risks14:08 - Measuring biodiversity-related value in your company’s operations21:07 - Definition of natural capital and overview of its financial impacts30:11 - The importance to businesses in every sector of developing nature positive strategies36:21 - Assurance on data and metrics on nature and biodiversity topics45:43 - Final advice for organizations wanting to become nature positiveInterested in more background on the business value drivers inherent in nature and biodiversity? Listen to our previous podcast in this series, and check out PwC’s global nature hub here.Alan McGill is a partner in PwC UK and is the Global Sustainability Reporting, Measurements, and Assurance Leader. With over 15 years’ experience delivering sustainable business projects, Alan’s work focuses on the impact of sustainability issues on business, and providing organizations with attestation services over their reporting on relevant sustainability issues.Andreas Ohl is a partner in PwC's National Office focused on thought leadership, standard setting, and mergers and acquisitions under US GAAP and IFRS. In addition to his US responsibilities, he leads the sustainability topic team for the PwC global network. Andreas is chairman of the Business Valuation Standards Board at the International Valuation Standards Council, is a member of the working group that authored the AICPA's in-process R&D guide, and has served as a member of the FASB's Valuation Resource Group.Heather Horn is PwC’s National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. With over 30 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

With so much focus on the SEC’s climate disclosure proposal in the US this year, climate has taken the attention of many preparers – and for good reason. However, another topic, natural resources and biodiversity, is coming to the forefront as governments and companies begin to understand the size of the problem, both in terms of its potential impact on business and the potential impact of business on biodiversity. This week, Heather Horn was joined by Tom Beagent, a partner in PwC’s Global Sustainability and Climate Change practice, and PwC National Office partner and Global sustainability topic team leader Andreas Ohl. They bring the vantage point of the CFO to bear on the topics of nature and biodiversity and highlight the drivers of sustainable business value embedded in these topics.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:2:28 - Perspectives from conversations with CFOs on biodiversity and nature6:53 - Defining nature and the interconnected relationships among the economy, the value chain of business, and nature17:47 - Identifying nature- and biodiversity-related risks – and opportunities – in your company’s operations19:28 - How market prices charged for using natural resources today may be well below the ultimate cost to the global economy25:13 - The differences between “Net Positive” nature and biodiversity initiatives and “Net Zero” climate policies34:26 - Investors’ interest in natural resources and biodiversity, and the metrics companies can use to disclose their dependencies on nature46:56 - Where companies should start in contemplating risks and opportunities in this spaceInterested in more background on the main issues related to nature and biodiversity? Listen to our previous podcast in this series, and check out PwC’s global nature hub here.Tom Beagent is a partner in PwC UK's Global Sustainability and Climate Change practice, specializing in integrating natural and social capital analysis into decision making for sustainable growth. With over 20 years’ experience delivering sustainable business projects, he also co-developed PwC’s Total Impact Measurement and Management methodologies (TIMM), which allows organizations to measure and value the social, environmental, economic, and fiscal impacts resulting from their operations, as well as their extended value chains. Andreas Ohl is a partner in PwC's National Office focused on thought leadership, standard setting, and mergers and acquisitions under US GAAP and IFRS. In addition to his US responsibilities, he leads the sustainability topic team for the PwC global network. Andreas is chairman of the Business Valuation Standards Board at the International Valuation Standards Council, is a member of the working group that authored the AICPA's in-process R&D guide, and has served as a member of the FASB's Valuation Resource Group.Heather Horn is PwC’s National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. With over 30 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.Transcripts avaiDid you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.