Pwc's Cfodirect Podcast

In each episode of our 2023 SEC comment letter trends series, our guests bring you the latest themes in comment letters from the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance.This week, host Heather Horn sat down with PwC National Office partner Mike Coleman to discuss common issues noted in the SEC staff’s comments on revenue, and why it consistently remains a top area of focus.In this episode, you’ll hear:2:03 - An overview of comment letter themes related to revenue and a discussion of the prominence of revenue in financial reporting6:53 - Key considerations in determining performance obligations and the significance of judgments made14:19 - Insights on the continued focus on revenue estimates, including challenges related to recognizing variable consideration and determining standalone selling prices when estimates are embedded in transaction prices20:46 - Common pitfalls with revenue disclosures27:26 - Important reminders on principal-versus-agent considerations30:54 - Sector-specific insights and trends and the

The European Union (EU) has ushered in a new era of sustainability reporting, as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is now effective. With impacts to both EU and non-EU headquartered companies, now is the time to understand the reporting requirements of this sweeping new regulation. Continuing our CSRD series, this week we discuss the topic of “double materiality,” which represents the intersection between impact materiality and financial materiality. In this episode, Heather Horn is joined by Cécile Saint-Martin, PwC’s Global ESG Assurance Leader, to go over this critical element in determining the applicable impacts, risks, and opportunities, as well as extent of disclosures under CSRD.In this episode, you’ll hear:3:09 - Lessons learned from legacy reporting under the Non-financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), the predecessor to CSRD4:32 - Introduction to double materiality 10:17 - Examples of the double materiality assessment for specific topics17:29 - The interplay between ESRS and oth

In each episode of our 2023 SEC comment letter trends series, our guests bring you the latest themes in comment letters from the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance.This week, host Heather Horn sat down with PwC National Office partner Kevin Vaughn to discuss the SEC staff’s continued focus on non-GAAP measures, the area with the highest number of comments.In this episode, you’ll hear:3:06 - The significance of non-GAAP measures and why they continue to be a focus area for the SEC7:50 - Updates on new and amended compliance and disclosure interpretations (C&DIs) related to non-GAAP measures and their impact on comment letters18:19 - Advice for preparers when responding to SEC staff comments20:08 - Insights on pervasive comment letter themes, including:20:27 - Undue prominence of non-GAAP measures21:40 - Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures and the differentiation between recurring and non-recurring expenses27:10 - Other top comment letter themes in non-GAAP comments, including nature of non-GAAP adjustme

The European Union (EU) has ushered in a new era of sustainability reporting, as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is now effective. With impacts to both EU and non-EU headquartered companies, now is the time to understand the reporting requirements of this sweeping new regulation. Continuing our CSRD series, this week we dive deeper into the EU’s “green” taxonomy regulation, which requires disclosure of certain metrics related to a company’s environmentally sustainable activities as early as 2024. In this episode, Heather Horn welcomes back PwC Germany senior manager Martin Schönberger to address common questions related to interpretation of the rules, eligibility of the activities, and calculation of the metrics as they apply to non-financial services companies. In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:2:32 - The evolution of EU green taxonomy reporting from the original two objectives to the current six12:15 - Using the promulgated reporting templates as a tool to align activities t

On October 7, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two landmark climate-disclosure bills that are poised to change the landscape of climate reporting in the United States. Over 10,000 US companies - including both public and private companies as well as subsidiaries of non-US headquartered companies - will be subject to the climate disclosure requirements in the near term.In this episode, podcast host Heather Horn brings you an audio version of our publication covering the expansive impact of these new laws. In this podcast, you’ll hear:1:38 - Background and introduction7:13 - Who would be subject to the new laws, and applicability of AB 1305: Voluntary carbon market disclosures15:44 - Disclosure requirements28:43 - Monitoring31:24 - SB 54: Venture capital diversity disclosures32:34 - What’s nextRefer also to the print version, California's not waiting for the SEC's climate disclosure rules.Heather Horn is PwC’s National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communi

With year-end reporting around the corner, we kick off our 2023 SEC comment letter trends series, in which our guests bring you the latest themes in comment letters from the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance.This week, Heather Horn is joined by Kyle Moffatt, PwC National Office Professional Practice Leader, to share an overview of the 2023 comment letter trends, a breakdown of the SEC’s review process, and insights into the SEC staff’s key priorities.In this episode, you’ll hear:2:01 - A breakdown of the SEC review process, including the staff’s current priorities, review timing, and key enforcement actions18:28 - The impact of a potential government shutdown on the SEC’s review process and on the capital markets more broadly22:43 - An overview of the the top SEC comment letter trends in 202329:14 - Insights into changes in the SEC’s priorities and volume of comment letters, updates on the climate disclosure proposal, and 2024 enforcement priorities34:11 - Key insights into what preparers should focus on,

The European Union (EU) has ushered in a new era of sustainability reporting, as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is now effective. With impacts to both EU and non-EU headquartered companies, now is the time to understand the reporting requirements of this sweeping new regulation. Continuing our CSRD miniseries, this week we discuss the EU’s “green” taxonomy regulation, which requires disclosure of certain metrics related to a company’s  environmentally sustainable activities. Under these rules, companies that are in the scope of CSRD will be further required to identify and disclose the extent of their operations that align with the promulgated classification of sustainable activities. In this episode, Heather Horn is joined by PwC Germany senior manager Martin Schönberger to discuss the essentials of the regulation, including an overview of sustainable activities, how to determine whether activities are “aligned” with environmentally sustainable objectives, and disclosure requirements

With increasing costs of living and an unpredictable economic environment, the concept of paying a “living wage” is gaining attention from businesses and governments around the world. As pay adequacy becomes a mandated disclosure for many companies via the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), paying a living wage is becoming a growing priority for organizations that are focused on creating a sustainable business.PwC recently published the inaugural Global Living Wage survey to provide deeper insights on this topic and its impact to businesses. In this episode, host Heather Horn welcomes PwC partners Barry Murphy and Paula Letorey to discuss the survey results, market trends, and key steps organizations should take now to prepare for market and regulatory movement.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:4:43 - Why PwC conducted the Global Living Wage survey7:13 - Defining a “living wage”9:45 - Key findings from the survey17:01 - Common challenges to adopting a living wage22:

As the end of the year approaches, it is helpful to understand what is top of mind under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and what lies ahead from the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).In this episode, Heather Horn was joined by Gary Berchowitz, a leader in PwC’s Global Assurance Quality - Corporate Reporting Services group, and Laura Kennedy, a director in the Corporate Reporting Services group, to discuss key reminders for year-end reporting under IFRS as well as some timely updates on new IFRS initiatives on the horizon.In this episode, you’ll hear:2:37 - An overview of the current status of IFRS Accounting Standards and what’s to come, including:4:29 - A breakdown of IFRS 17, Insurance Contracts, which became effective in 2023 and applies to non-insurers as well as insurers5:50 - New amended requirements for currency transactions8:10 - The global political and economic outlook and its impact on reporting, including assumptions for accounting determinations such as impairmen

The European Union (EU) has ushered in a new era of sustainability reporting, as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is now effective. With impacts to both EU and non-EU headquartered companies, now is the time to understand the reporting requirements of this sweeping new regulation. Continuing our miniseries focused on the essentials of the CSRD, this week we discuss options a company may have in its approach to reporting. In this episode, Heather welcomes back Emily Kirsch, director in PwC’s sustainability practice, to share practical considerations in a company’s determination of the most effective reporting approach for its organization. In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:5:03 - Scope requirements under the CSRD7:37 - Available reporting exemptions 11:46 - Initial considerations for deciding the level of reporting, and whom to involve16:19 - How to consider data availability, IT systems, and organizational structure23:27 - Timing of reporting deadlines and phase-in reliefs for

Continuing our October all-star series, Tom Barbieri, PwC US Chief Accountant, shares insights on the financial reporting ecosystem and how to stay engaged amid ongoing developments in the landscape.Tom is joined by Kevin Vaughn, PwC National Office partner, and Ying Compton, PwC managing director, to unpack the financial reporting ecosystem, including the key players, how they work together, and the critical role they play in the capital markets.In this episode, you’ll hear:4:58 - An overview of the key players in the financial reporting ecosystem and their significance to the investor-driven reporting mission11:28 - How standard setting, application, and enforcement drive the US reporting environment13:22 - The roles and composition of both the SEC and the FASB 17:44 - Interaction between the SEC and FASB and the opportunities for preparers to collaborate with each21:34 - Why preparers should pay attention to PCAOB developments23:35 - A comparison of the rule-making processes across standard-setters and reg

The European Union (EU) has ushered in a new era of sustainability reporting, as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) became effective in January 2023 and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are now final. With impacts to both EU and non-EU headquartered companies, now is the time to understand the applicability and scope of these reporting requirements.To launch our podcast miniseries on the CSRD, host Heather Horn is joined by Emily Kirsch, director in PwC’s sustainability practice, and Soné Beyers, director in PwC’s National Office, to provide a refresher course on the basic requirements and applicability of the EU’s sweeping sustainability reporting directive.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:4:04 - Background and latest developments on the CSRD12:54 - The final set of 12 ESRS, which will be effective starting in 2024 15:36 - What companies are within the scope of the CSRD and required to follow ESRS21:32 - Key dates for CSRD effectiveness, scoping threshold

Assessing whether a company is in scope of the European Union (EU) Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) has some inherent complexities. The scope of companies directly impacted is expansive — including US and other non-EU headquartered companies — making scoping a question that merits priority focus by companies with operations in the EU.A company may have options in its approach to fulfilling its CSRD reporting requirements, and there are practical considerations that may inform a company’s determination of the most effective reporting approach for its organization under the CSRD. In this episode, Heather Horn brings you an audio version of our In the loop publication discussing these scoping and reporting approaches under the CSRD. In this podcast, you’ll hear:1:15 - Background and introduction4:52 - Four steps to decide on how to report9:20 - What is the scope of reporting obligations, and are there any exemptions?13:35 - What information needs to be gathered?26:32 - What is the timing of re

Integrating sustainability in business strategy may increase the attractiveness of business to lenders, investors, and customers. However, with the multitude of sustainability reporting frameworks for multinational companies, it can be difficult to determine the best way to tell a unified story to all stakeholders that is consistent with the company’s overall sustainability strategy.In this episode, host Heather Horn welcomes Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer of Singapore-based real estate firm City Developments Limited, to discuss how companies can manage multiple disclosure frameworks while utilizing sustainability reporting as a catalyst for business innovation, investment, and impact. In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:5:02 - Esther’s professional background and sustainability leadership in Singapore12:06 - How COVID-19 accelerated awareness of sustainability17:35 - Creating business value through sustainability and achieving the “triple bottom line” of profit, people, and planet20:58 - Four

As effective dates for sustainability reporting requirements inch closer, companies face pressure to stand up reporting workstreams before it is too late. With multiple frameworks coming into play in the near term, managing the data gathering, aggregation, and reporting of numerous metrics is a manual exercise for many companies. But is there technology that can help?In today’s episode, host Heather Horn is joined by Sammy Lakshmanan, principal in PwC’s Sustainability Consulting Solutions practice, to discuss the ways that leading companies are integrating technology into their sustainability reporting work plans. Sammy provides insights on how companies can leverage the power of technology to generate value that goes beyond compliance. In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:4:02 - Expected impacts of the shift from voluntary to mandatory ESG reporting7:47 - The current landscape of sustainability reporting technology solutions 10:29 - A roadmap for digital transformation, including the sequencing of even

New York City Climate Week brings together international business leaders, policymakers, and other civic leaders to help drive progress and speed transition on climate-related issues. This year’s event highlighted the sustainability advancements made over the past year – with a look ahead to the actions companies need to take next to prepare for net zero.This week, host Heather Horn is joined by Will Jackson-Moore, PwC’s Global Sustainability Leader, to discuss some of the bigger themes that emerged from the week, from energy transition and demand reduction to the impact of emerging sustainability reporting regimes around the world.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:3:04 - An overview of the current sustainability landscape and the challenges that companies face with decarbonization8:00 - The relative priority companies are assigning to climate actions and progress10:32 - How organizations are executing strategic planning and reporting on climate15:44 - The time runway for companies to transform their

As companies move forward with clean energy investments and decarbonization projects, many face questions about which of these projects qualify for tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and how best to utilize the act’s credits and other green initiatives. In today’s episode, Heather Horn welcomes back Matt Haskins, PwC principal, to discuss the latest IRS guidance for IRA initiatives, marketplace transactions, and further considerations for companies looking to take advantage of the IRA. In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:5:06 - Advanced energy project credits under IRS Section 48C, and the status of the current allocation of the $10 billion budgeted pool9:09 - Transferability and timing considerations of tax credits 12:07 - Choosing between investment tax credits and production tax credits14:55 - Risk of recapture of paid tax credits and relevant mitigating strategies23:53 - How a government shutdown would impact IRA initiatives27:59 - Market developments in the hydrogen production

Last year brought proposed ESG disclosures from the European Union (EU) as part of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), internationally by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and in the US by the SEC.The sustainability disclosures required by the ISSB and in the EU were finalized in June and July 2023, respectively. And while the final SEC rule is still pending, two bills signed into law by the California Governor in October 2023 are poised to change the landscape of climate reporting in the US.These “big three” proposals would each require expansive sustainability disclosures — although their proposed scopes and other details vary. In this episode, Heather Horn brings you an audio version of our In the loop comparing the three proposals. In this podcast, you’ll hear:1:50 - Background on the “big three” proposals19:26 - Overview of California climate disclosure rules23:27 - Comparison of the general features of the proposals28:15 - Differences in concepts of materialit

Continuing our October all-star series, Tom Barbieri, PwC US Chief Accountant, shares insights on critical accounting and reporting topics.Tom is joined by Nick Milone, a PwC practice partner with experience advising clients on hedging strategies, to discuss effective hedging strategies for various types of macroeconomic and business risks.In this episode, you’ll hear:2:47 - An overview of the theory and purpose of hedge accounting6:04 - Initial considerations for applying hedge accounting, including an overview of the effectiveness assessment10:07 - A breakdown of the three most common hedge strategies and why companies might use them10:21 - Cash flow hedges12:23 - Fair value hedges14:33 - Net investment hedges17:49 - Common examples of and questions related to hedging strategies 22:02 - Common pitfalls in applying hedge accounting27:57 - An overview of other hedging strategies, their purpose and how to use them28:04 - Forecasted debt issuance hedges35:29 - Foreign currency hedges39:04 - Hedging strategies f

The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) released its final disclosure recommendations for nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities on September 18. Given the interrelationship between climate and nature — and the dependence of business on nature — companies may want to consider this new framework as a tool in communicating their full sustainability story.This week, Heather Horn is joined by Daniel O’Brien, PwC Canada’s Sustainable Business Solutions leader and TNFD member, to discuss what companies should do now to prepare to make effective nature-related disclosures.In this episode, you’ll hear discussion of:4:18 - Background on the TNFD, including how the taskforce was formed and its mission8:11 - The key principles of the TNFD framework and interoperability of the TCFD framework with existing climate reporting frameworks13:36 - Complexities in critical areas of the TNFD framework 20:08 - Recommendations for how companies should approach TNFD disclosures29:29 - How