PwC's accounting podcast

Host Heather Horn is joined by Mardi McBrien, Chief of Strategic Affairs & Capacity Building at the IFRS Foundation, and Katharina Bryan, Head of International Sustainability Reporting Policy at Amazon, to highlight the PwC and IFRS Foundation NYC Climate Week event: Sustainability disclosure in practice. Together they break down the event and share highlights, practical perspectives, and takeaways for preparers on their own sustainability reporting journeys.In this episode, they discuss:5:03 – What resonated most from the insightful discussions across multiple stakeholder perspectives7:58 – Preparer perspective on approaching regulatory reporting deadlines10:13 – Benefits of the collaboration between the IFRS Foundation and CDP16:05 – How sustainability reporting can drive positive change27:45 – Advice for companies overwhelmed by the abundance of sustainability reporting requirements31:47 – Where to find resources for developing skills to address sustainability reporting challengesSummary of the eventHeather Horn interviewed Emmanuel Faber, chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board, on all that it has accomplished in the last year in making its standards a true global passport – and of course the work yet to be done. (See video of that interview.)Emmanuel and Heather were joined by Sherry Madera, CEO at CDP, to highlight the impact of their collaboration. Diana Stoltzfus, PwC National office sustainability partner, moderated an investor discussion with Carine Smith Ihenacho, Chief Governance and Compliance Officer at Norges Bank Investment Management, and Richard Manley, Chief Sustainability Officer from CPP Investments, who both provided a unique perspective on what investors value in sustainability reporting as well as how it helps corporate directors. Mardi McBrien spoke with Katharina Bryan and others to get their “boots on the ground” preparer perspective.  Mardi provided an update on capacity building, sharing the latest on the IFRS Foundation’s efforts to develop skills and resources to address sustainability reporting challenges.Looking for more about the IFRS Foundation? Tune into the IFRS Foundation’s upcoming Webcast: Perspectives on sustainability disclosure, check out the recently released voluntary application guide, Voluntarily applying ISSB standards – a guide for preparers, or visit the IFRS Sustainability knowledge hub. Also, as referenced in the podcast, for more on capacity building, visit the Global Capacity Building Coalition’s recently launched website.Mardi McBrien is the Chief of Strategic Affairs and Capacity Building at the IFRS Foundation responsible for sustainability reporting.Katharina Bryan is Head of International Sustainability Reporting Policy at Amazon.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

With an unprecedented level of change in recent years, the PCAOB has become a standard setter to watch – not just for audit firms but for companies. The episode brings the latest in PCAOB standard setting developments, including what they mean for preparers. Our guest is Brian Croteau, PwC’s US Chief Auditor, who leads our team that follows all things PCAOB.In this episode, we discuss:3:35 – The current landscape at the PCAOB10:07 – Overview of the PCAOB’s standard setting process15:14 – Newly adopted PCAOB standards related to: 15:44 – Other auditors16:26 – Confirmations18:50 – General responsibilities of the auditor in conducting an audit (AS 1000)19:54 – Technology-assisted analysis of information in electronic form28:53 – Quality control35:12 – Non-compliance with laws and regulations (NOCLAR)39:17 – Other recent PCAOB proposals45:49 – What's on the horizon for PCAOB standard setting For more information on these topics see our publications: SEC approves PCAOB foundational and quality control standards PCAOB advances rulemaking related to technology PCAOB proposes additional reporting by auditors PCAOB solicits additional feedback on its noncompliance proposal Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app.Brian Croteau is the US Chief Auditor, Auditing Services Leader. He oversees the establishment and maintenance of PwC’s audit policies and practices, leads efforts to directly support PwC’s audit quality objectives, and plays a key role in the monitoring and assessment of audit quality. He also leads the firm’s efforts related to its relationship with the PCAOB, including supporting all aspects of the PCAOB’s inspection process. Brian currently serves as a member of the PCAOB’s Standards and Emerging Issues Advisory Group (SEIAG) and the SEIAG’s Emerging Issues in Auditing subcommittee. Prior to rejoining PwC in 2017, he served for over six years as the Deputy Chief Accountant of the Professional Practice Group within the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) at the SEC. In his work at the SEC, Brian played a key role in the SEC’s oversight of the activities of the PCAOB, managed the resolution of auditor independence issues and ethical matters, and monitored audit and independence standard setting internationally.Heather 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 us_podcast@pwc.com. Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

In the second episode of our miniseries on the building blocks of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting, we discuss how to establish organizational boundaries. Host Heather Horn is joined again by Marcin Olewinski, an Assurance partner, and Kelsey Pizza, a senior manager in PwC’s National Office, who illustrate the importance of including the correct entities, assets, and operations through real world examples.Different frameworks may prescribe different approaches while others provide some flexibility so it is key to understand your reporting requirements (as discussed in the first episode in this miniseries, Talking GHG: Reporting requirements for greenhouse gas emissions). We’ll highlight different approaches and the impacts (sometimes more significant than one would expect) that an organizational boundary can have on reporting.This episode discusses:2:48 – What it means to establish organizational boundaries 4:33 – The three organizational boundary approaches outlined by the GHG Protocol 13:48 – Practical examples of organizational boundary scenarios 34:23 – Factors to consider when applying an organizational boundary approach 37:23 – When to change organizational boundary approaches 39:38 – Advice for companies in process of establishing organizational boundariesFor more information on GHG emissions reporting, including the five-step process outlined in today’s episode, check out Chapter 7: Greenhouse gas emissions reporting in PwC’s global Sustainability reporting guide. Marcin Olewinski is a PwC Assurance practice partner, with over 20 years of experience bringing valued perspectives and insights to large clients in the energy sector. Additionally, he’s focused extensively within PwC’s National Office on greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability reporting and leads PwC’s global technical working group focused on GHG. Kelsey Pizza is a senior manager in PwC’s National Office. She provides advice on technical accounting issues and monitors developments in financial reporting and standard setting. Kelsey helps develop PwC thought leadership, with a particular focus on sustainability reporting, clean and renewable energy accounting matters, and other topics affecting the utilities & sustainable energy sector. Heather 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.  Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

We continue our miniseries on foreign currency accounting with an episode on foreign currency remeasurement and translation. Foreign currency measurement is the process by which an entity expresses transactions whose terms are denominated in a foreign currency in its functional currency. Foreign currency translation is the process of expressing a foreign entity’s functional currency financial statements in the reporting currency. In this episode, we discuss: 03:09 – An overview of the accounting for foreign currency remeasurement and translation05:56 – Measurement of foreign currency transactions09:56 – Exchange rate considerations22:26 – Translating financial statement of foreign entities 29:00 – Releasing cumulative translation adjustments (CTA)For more information see chapters 4 and 5 of our Foreign currency guide. Also, check out our other episode in this miniseries, Foreign currency accounting – Determining functional currency. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app for more episodes. John Horan is a managing director in PwC’s National Office where he assists clients with complex accounting issues in the areas of foreign currency, liabilities and equity, earnings per share, and derivatives and hedging. John specializes in large capital transactions and initial public offerings.Ross Drucker is a partner in PwC’s National Office where he assists clients with financial instrument accounting, including derivatives and hedging transactions, foreign currency, and structured capital markets transactions. He recently returned to PwC following two years working at the SEC in the Office of the Chief Accountant, focusing on financial instrument transactions as well as cryptocurrency.Heather 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 us_podcast@pwc.com. Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

This week we introduce a miniseries on the building blocks of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting. To kick off the miniseries, host Heather Horn is joined by Marcin Olewinski, an Assurance partner, and Kelsey Pizza, a senior manager in PwC’s National Office, to give an overview of the process and zero in on the first step, understanding reporting requirements. They highlight the GHG Protocol's foundational role and its similarities and differences with other standards.In this episode, they discuss:02:22 – Background on the building blocks of GHG emissions reporting04:30 – The history of the GHG Protocol and how it’s used today19:16 – How the GHG Protocol interacts with other frameworks, including the European Sustainability Reporting Standards and IFRS® Sustainability Disclosure Standards 31:08 – Advice for companies for understanding GHG reporting requirements and interoperabilityFor more information on GHG emissions reporting, including the five-step process outlined in today’s episode, check out Chapter 7: Greenhouse gas emissions reporting in PwC’s global Sustainability reporting guide.Marcin Olewinski is a PwC Assurance practice partner, with over 20 years of experience bringing valued perspectives and insights to large clients in the energy sector. Additionally, he’s focused extensively within PwC’s National Office on greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability reporting and leads PwC’s global technical working group focused on GHG.Kelsey Pizza is a senior manager in PwC’s National Office. She provides advice on technical accounting issues and monitors developments in financial reporting and standard setting. Kelsey helps develop PwC thought leadership, with a particular focus on sustainability reporting, clean and renewable energy accounting matters, and other topics affecting the utilities & sustainable energy sector.Heather 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 us_podcast@pwc.com.Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

We kick off our miniseries on foreign currency accounting with an episode on determining functional currency, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which a distinct and separable operation operates.In this episode, we discuss:03:52 – Identifying distinct and separable operations19:01 – Determining functional currency25:45 – Common pitfalls in evaluating functional currency 37:37 – Changes in functional currency40:19 – Highly inflationary economiesFor more information, see chapter 3 of our Foreign currency guide. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app for more episodes.Bret Dooley is a Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office 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.John Horan is a managing director in PwC’s National Office where he assists clients with complex accounting issues in the areas of foreign currency, liabilities and equity, earnings per share, and derivatives and hedging. John specializes in large capital transactions and initial public offerings.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.

We continue our miniseries on stock-based compensation awards with a focus on 5 important things for private companies to know. This is an area for which the accounting tends to be more complicated for nonpublic companies. In this episode, we discuss:3:12 – Measurement of liability-classified awards5:59 – Secondary market transactions16:39 – Profit sharing arrangements22:44 – Equity restructurings31:25 – Recourse and nonrecourse loansFor more information, see chapter 6 of our Stock-based compensation guide. Also, check out our other episode in this miniseries, Stock-based compensation - 5 things to know about modifications. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app for more episodes.Ken Stoler is a partner in PwC’s National Office who specializes in financial reporting and plan design issues related to equity compensation arrangements, retirement and healthcare plans, and other benefits. He has helped companies navigate their employee compensation issues during IPOs, spin offs, acquisitions, and other major transactions or events.Heather 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 quarterly webcast series.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.

We kick off our miniseries on stock-based compensation with a focus on 5 important things to know when accounting for modifications to stock-based compensation awards.In this episode, we discuss:2:40 – How to determine whether a change in terms or conditions should be accounted for as a modification5:00 – The stock-based compensation modification framework8:29 – Four types of modifications related to vesting conditions18:39 – Modifications that change classification22:15 – Modifications of performance conditionsFor more information, see chapter 4 of our Stock-based compensation guide. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app for more episodes.Ken Stoler is a partner in PwC’s National Office who specializes in financial reporting and plan design issues related to equity compensation arrangements, retirement and healthcare plans, and other benefits. He has helped companies navigate their employee compensation issues during IPOs, spin offs, acquisitions, and other major transactions or events.Heather 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 quarterly webcast series.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.

We continue our miniseries on software costs. They are accounted for using two different models depending on whether the software is used internally or externally. In this episode, we discuss the internal-use model applicable to software developed or obtained to meet the reporting entities’ internal needs.In this episode, we discuss:3:24 – The scope of internal-use software10:29 – The three stages of software development14:07 – Cloud computing arrangements17:50 – Practical challenges in applying this model25:05 – An overview and update on the FASB's current software costs projectFor more information, see chapter 3 of our Software costs guide. Also, check out our other episode in this miniseries, Accounting for the cost of externally marketed software. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app for more episodes.Mike Coleman is a partner in PwC's National Office who specializes in accounting for revenue and software arrangements and has served technology clients for much of his career. In addition, Mike has represented the firm on the AICPA Software Task Force.Pat Durbin is a Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office. 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.Heather 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 quarterly webcast series.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.

Dive into the complexities of accounting for software as the hosts unravel the distinctions between internally used and externally marketed software models. Discover how technological feasibility impacts cost categorization and revenue recognition, especially in the context of AI development. The discussion also highlights the evolving guidance from FASB and the challenges companies face adapting to new accounting standards. With technology at the forefront, transparency in financial reporting becomes paramount as the industry shifts.