PwC's accounting podcast

We continue our year-end toolkit series with insights on key areas of the year-end accounting and reporting process. Today’s episode focuses on the finance team’s engagement with the audit committee, which faces a packed agenda and expanding oversight responsibilities. We explore how management can strengthen collaboration with those charged with governance, streamline reporting, and address emerging issues such as AI, enterprise risk management, and transformation initiatives.
In this episode, we discuss:
1:18 – Strengthening management/audit committee communication and collaboration
10:10 – Key year-end issues finance teams should be prepared to address
15:02 – Oversight of AI: risks, opportunities, and controls
21:33 – Enhancing enterprise risk oversight
27:35 – Navigating the evolving cyber risk landscape in the age of AI
36:05 – Elevating proxy disclosures
For more, watch the replay of our Year-end audit committee webcast and read our publication, Your year-end audit committee guide.
In case you missed it, check out the previous episode in this year-end miniseries:
Year-end toolkit: Accounting and reporting reminders for 2026
Year-end toolkit: Materiality assessments
Year-end toolkit: Cash flow classification
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About our guest
Stephen Parker is a partner in PwC’s Governance Insights Center, which strives to strengthen the connection between directors, executive teams, and investors by helping them navigate the evolving governance landscape. With more than 30 years of experience, Stephen has advised boards of directors on a variety of complex financial reporting matters. Stephen’s client service experience includes energy and utility companies, financial services companies, and nonprofits.
About our guest host
Diana 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. 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.
Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected]
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We continue our year-end toolkit series sharing insights on key areas of the year-end accounting and reporting process. In this episode, we focus on the statement of cash flows—an area that remains critical to investors and continues to get focus from regulators. We discuss recent SEC comment letter observations, practical considerations for complex transactions such as debt restructurings, payment processing arrangements, and business combinations; we also highlight reminders and best practices to help companies navigate year-end reporting.
In this episode, we discuss:
1:05 – Overview of the statement of cash flows and key reminders
3:46 – SEC comment letter themes
7:52 – Debt restructurings
15:21 – Payment processing arrangements
20:27 – Business combinations
32:56 – FASB project on targeted improvements to the statement of cash flows
For more on the statement of cash flows, see Chapter 6 of our Financial statement presentation guide.
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About our guests
Suzanne Stephani is a director in PwC’s National Office specializing in the statement of cash flows as well as the application and interpretation of the accounting guidance related to financing, leasing, and foreign currency transactions.
Christopher Gerdau is a partner in PwC’s National Office specializing in accounting for financial instruments and banking-related topics. Chris also conducts technical reviews of SEC filings and provides technical support to PwC’s practice offices. Chris’s client service expertise includes the banking, capital markets, and insurance industries.
About our guest host
Diana Stoltzfus is a partner in the 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. 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.
Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected] 
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As signs of market stabilization emerge, companies are reassessing their deal strategies for 2026. In this episode, we explore IPO and M&A trends, the influence of AI and macroeconomic shifts, and the steps finance teams can take now to be ready for what’s next.
In this episode, we discuss:
3:35 – Where the deals market stands today 
9:38 – Deals outlook for 2026
17:35 – Expected IPOs and financing trends for 2026
25:28 – What finance leaders and teams can do now to prepare
For more read our publications, US Capital Markets 2026 Outlook—IPO markets look primed to accelerate in 2026 and The next wave of M&A: Bigger and bolder deals driven by AI and private equity—US Deals 2026 outlook. Also, be sure to follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.
About our guest
Mike Bellin is a PwC Deals partner who leads PwC’s US Capital Markets practice. Mike advises clients on accessing the debt and equity capital markets by providing clients with technical/project management advice on complex accounting and financial reporting issues associated with the SEC registration process, IPOs, direct listings, SPAC mergers, 144A debt and equity offerings, divestitures, spinoffs and carve-outs, and GAAP conversions.
About our host
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 [email protected] 
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In this episode, we share key insights and reminders on navigating materiality judgments. We revisit the fundamentals of SAB 99, explore how to apply both quantitative and qualitative considerations, address identified errors, and more.
In this episode, we discuss:
3:53 – The framework for assessing materiality and errors in financial statements
8:51 – Addressing identified errors
15:01 – Reassessing materiality amid economic and other changes
19:48 – Trends in reporting errors, including cash flow statement impacts
23:09 – Fraud and illegal acts
In case you missed it, check out the previous episode in this year-end miniseries, Year-end toolkit: Accounting and reporting reminders for 2026.
Be sure to follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.
About our guest
Michael Mullen is PwC’s US Assurance Quality Management leader. In this role, he oversees complex client issues, providing technical insights and expertise in support of overall quality. With over 35 years of client service experience, Michael has led numerous global client engagements.
About our guest host
Diana Stoltzfus is a partner in the 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. 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.
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.

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 [email protected]
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