PwC's accounting podcast

In our Finance 2025 podcast series, we give listeners a look at the future of finance and the evolutionary road to get there. We’re asking: what will the modern finance organization look like in the year 2025?

This week Heather Horn sat down with Tabitha DeFrancisco,  partner in PwC’s finance transformation practice, to discuss the tools and technology elements that are already available to help companies modernize their finance functions.

In this episode you’ll find:

• 3:20 - What does “augmented finance” mean?
• 7:20 - The transformational impact of tools and technology
• 11:31 - The importance of leadership buy-in
• 21:17 - How tools enable the demands of rapid decision making
• 25:07 - Deciding where to invest attention and resources
• 31:57 - Getting the most out of your implemented tools
• 35:02 - How to navigate when there are resource constraints
• 38:31 - Process intelligence and task mining

Want to learn more?

• Check out PwC’s Tech Effect, a digital resource for busy leaders.
• Listen to our previous podcasts in the series,  Finance 2025: Transformation made practical and Finance 2025: Transforming with a people-first mindset.

Tabitha DeFrancisco is a partner in PwC’s finance transformation practice. With over 15 years of client service experience, she advises leaders as they optimize the efficiency of their finance function and enhance the insights it provides to the business. Tabitha leads large-scale transformations to bring back-offices into the digital age. Her work focuses on consumer markets companies ranging from recent IPOs to the Fortune 50.

Heather Horn is a Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office and leader of the thought leadership group, 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, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry. 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 [email protected].

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In each episode of our Year-end toolkit series, you’ll find something relevant to the year-end reporting process.

This week Heather Horn was joined by Gerry Flynn, PwC’s National Office leader, to discuss a topic that can be a source of stress for preparers during the relatively short time between year end and year-end reporting: how to manage issues to resolution effectively.

In this episode you’ll hear them discuss:

• 3:12 - The importance of a defined escalation protocol
• 6:06 - Taking emotion out of the process
• 12:06 - The importance of a thorough assessment
• 18:30 - Managing CFO and audit committee expectations
• 23:02 - When to involve auditors
• 31:10 - Control implications and performing an effective “post-mortem”

Gerry also shares his perspective on managing through the current COVID-19 variant surge, and the need for contingency plans during this time.

Want to learn more? 

• Listen to our previous podcasts in the series, Year-end toolkit: Reminders from PwC’s National Office and Year-end toolkit: Statement of cash flows

Gerry Flynn is the leader of PwC’s National Office, overseeing the firm’s accounting, auditing, SEC, and other quality-related specialists. Prior to joining the National Office, Gerry spent nearly 30 years serving many of the firm’s largest clients in diverse industries, from entertainment and professional sports to life sciences, biotech, and pharmaceuticals.

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, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry. 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 [email protected].

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In our Finance 2025 podcast series, we give listeners a look at the future of finance and the evolutionary road to get there. We’re asking: what will the modern finance organization look like in the year 2025?

This week Heather Horn sat down with Jim Berres, director in PwC’s finance transformation practice, to discuss the workforce-related elements when modernizing the finance function.

In this episode you’ll find:

• 5:58 - The CFO imperatives driving transformation
• 10:17 - Snapshot of the modern finance organization
• 19:13 - How to have an effective upskilling journey
• 29:30 - Citizen- versus enterprise-led innovation
• 36:24 - Updates on return to work trends

Want to learn more?

• See our benchmarking study on why finance transformations should start with people first.
• Listen to our previous podcast in the series,  Finance 2025: Transformation made practical.

Jim Berres is a director in PwC’s finance transformation practice. With more than 15 years' experience, Jim specializes in addressing financial and system process change. His experience includes working with clients to activate their cloud journey, upskill their people, and leverage new technologies to modernize their finance function.

Heather Horn is a Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office and leader of the thought leadership group, 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, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry. 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 [email protected].

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In each episode of our Year-end toolkit series, you’ll find something relevant to the year-end reporting process.

This week Heather Horn was joined by Chris Gerdau and Suzanne Stephani from PwC’s National Office to talk about key reminders on the statement of cash flows that preparers will want to keep in mind as they finalize their reporting.

In this episode you’ll hear them discuss:

• 2:39 - Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
• 7:26 - Gross versus net presentation
• 9:28 - Non-cash transactions
• 13:07 - Business combinations and asset acquisitions
• 20:23 - Equity issuances
• 22:16 - PP&E purchases
• 24:58 - Equity method investee distributions
• 29:49 - Leases
• 31:47 - Foreign operations

Want to learn more? 

• Listen to our podcast Full disclosure: The statement of cash flows
• For more year end reminders, read or listen to The quarter close - fourth quarter 2021

Suzanne Stephani is a director in PwC’s National Office specializing in the application and interpretation of the accounting guidance related to financing and leasing transactions as well as the cash flow statement.

Chris 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. With over 25 years of experience, Chris’s client service expertise includes the banking, capital markets, and insurance industries.

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, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry. 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 [email protected].

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In our Finance 2025 podcast series, we give listeners a look at the future of finance and the evolutionary road to get there. We’re asking: what does the modern finance organization look like in the year 2025?

This week Heather Horn sat down with Ed Ponagai, PwC Partner and a Consulting Solutions leader, to set the stage and discuss  what’s trending in finance transformation.

In this episode you’ll find:

• 3:32 - What’s new in finance transformation
• 9:21 - What to focus on when starting new initiatives
• 18:23 - How the workforce is getting involved
• 29:03 - Effective data management
• 38:11 - Wrap up and key takeaways

Want to learn more?

• See our case study on how a digital finance transformation drove competitive advantage for an industrial giant.
• Listen to our previous podcast with Ed, What's next? 3 steps to your finance transformation

Ed Ponagai is a PwC partner who leads large-scale back office transformations and merger integrations. He helps CFOs think through their organization’s big picture vision and purpose, and drill down to address organizational challenges, operational processes, and technological innovations.

Heather Horn is a Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office and leader of the thought leadership group, 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, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry. 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 [email protected].

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In each episode of our Year-end toolkit series, you’ll find something relevant to the year-end reporting process.

This week Heather Horn is joined by Beth Paul, Tom Barbieri, and Pat Durbin, who along with Heather serve as Deputy Chief Accountants in PwC’s National Office, as well as Kyle Moffatt, PwC SEC Services National Office Partner. Each guest highlights key areas to focus on during this reporting season, right up until the financial statements get finalized.

In this episode

2:38 - Business combinations, including ASU 2021-08 on contract assets and liabilities
9:49 - Equity method investment disclosures and the calculation of significance under Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X
14:06 - Income statement classification
17:48 - Stock based compensation accounting
25:53 - Statement of cash flows classifications 
36:55 - SAB 74 disclosures

You’ll also hear an update on the SEC’s expected proposing release on climate and human capital disclosures. Want to learn more?

Read or listen to The quarter close - fourth quarter 2021
Listen to our podcast Special episode: New rules on acquired revenue contracts
Read Don’t wait until the SEC staff asks you about climate change and To GAAP or to non-GAAP COVID-19: What you should know

Beth Paul is a Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office responsible for a team of consultants that specialize in business combinations and related areas, such as consolidations, disposals, impairments, and segment reporting. Prior to this role, Beth was the Strategic Thought Leader in PwC’s National office, working closely with firm leadership to determine PwC’s position on emerging trends in auditing, accounting, and financial reporting matters.

Pat Durbin is a Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office and the leader of the revenue and liabilities division. He has over 30 years of experience consulting with clients and engagement teams on complex accounting matters, including issues related to revenue, compensation, income taxes, and inventory under both US GAAP and IFRS.

Tom Barbieri is a Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office and the financial instruments accounting leader. He has over 30 years of experience advising clients on complex accounting and financial reporting issues relating to financial instruments. During Tom’s tenure in the National Office, he has been at the forefront of emerging accounting issues and has regular interactions with the FASB, SEC, and other regulators and standard setters.

Kyle Moffatt is a partner in PwC's National Office where he consults with engagement teams and audit clients on SEC reporting matters. He joined PwC in April 2020 after spending almost 20 years with the SEC, most recently as Chief Accountant and Disclosure Program Director in the Division of Corporation Finance.

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In our Talking ESG podcast series, we give an end-to-end look at what it takes to build effective ESG reporting in today’s environment. From investor to stakeholder expectations, from global frameworks to data, process, and controls—there’s something in it for everyone.

This week Heather Horn sat down with Brigham McNaughton, a managing director in PwC’s ESG practice, to discuss a topic that’s top of mind for many preparers: data quality and the processes needed to produce investment-grade ESG reporting.

Topics include:

• 1:43 - What is the current state of data quality? As ESG reporting becomes more prevalent, the ability to produce quality data has become a necessity. Brigham gives listeners an overview of the questions companies face and how they can go about taking stock of the maturity level of their processes.
• 8:45 - The challenges of ESG disclosures. Brigham and Heather discuss some of the challenges of ESG reporting and how to move forward when you can’t get to the right data.  For companies that are at an early stage of process maturity, it is often more efficient to address data quality on the front end before deciding what to report.
• 17:46 - What are some best practices? Brigham shares some practices he has observed while working with various companies, including what the leaders in this space are doing. He covers how to identify a team, set up processes, and even appropriate governance.
• 30:48 - What departments should be involved? There are many ways to advance the quality of data in ESG reporting. Brigham explains which departments often have a hand in helping move the needle on data quality.
• 41:19 - Key takeaways. Brigham and Heather discuss some practical advice for listeners as they begin or continue to evolve their ESG processes. 

Want to learn more?

• Listen to our previous podcasts in this series, Talking ESG: Evolving your reporting for impact, Talking ESG: How SEC proposals may shape future reporting, and Talking ESG: How new EU rules may impact your reporting.

Brigham McNaughton is a managing director in PwC’s ESG practice. He has served global clients in a range of industries including utilities, automotive, and financial services, advising on core ESG strategy development and stakeholder engagement. Brigham has worked closely with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) on a variety of reporting initiatives.

Heather Horn is a Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office and leader of the thought leadership group, 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, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry. 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 [email protected].

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In each episode of our What’s trending in SEC comments series, our guests bring you the latest themes in comment letters from the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance for the most common topical areas of financial reporting.

This week we focus on non-GAAP measures. Kyle Moffatt, a partner in PwC’s National Office, joined Heather Horn to break down some of the questions raised in these comments, giving you a deeper understanding of the SEC staff’s expectations, as well as context and insights into the non-GAAP rules.

Topics include:

• 1:35 - Background on non-GAAP measures. Disclosing non-GAAP measures is a common way companies supplement their financial statement disclosures to further tell the story of their businesses. Kyle gives some helpful background and examples of some commonly utilized measures.
• 8:57 - Presenting non-GAAP measures. There can be pitfalls associated with these alternative measures. Kyle and Heather discuss what issuers should keep in mind when deciding how to present them.
• 22:30 - What types of comments are companies receiving? Kyle discusses the main themes of the SEC staff’s non-GAAP comments. Common questions relate to prominence relative to GAAP metrics, the reconciliation of each non-GAAP metric to GAAP, and the appropriateness of adjustments, among others.
• 27:43 - Key takeaways and reminders. We close with some future areas to pay attention to and helpful advice for year-end reporting. Heather tries to stump Kyle with some niche accounting and pop culture questions.

Want to learn more?

• Listen to our previous comment letter podcasts on MD&A, Debt, warrants, and equity, Revenue, Goodwill, Inventory and cost of sales, and Segment reporting
• Listen to What you missed at the 2021 AICPA Conference
• In the loop: To GAAP or to non-GAAP COVID-19: What you should know
• See our overview of SEC Comment Letter Trends
• Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 11 B
• SEC Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Questions and Answers of General Applicability

Kyle Moffatt is a partner in PwC's National Office where he consults with engagement teams and audit clients on SEC reporting matters. He joined PwC in April 2020 after spending almost 20 years with the SEC.

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In our Talking ESG podcast series, we give an end-to-end look at what it takes to build effective ESG reporting in today’s environment. From investor to stakeholder expectations, from global frameworks to data, process, and controls—there’s something in it for everyone.

This week Heather Horn sat down with Shannon Schuyler, PwC US Chief Purpose & Inclusion Officer, to discuss the evolution of PwC’s ESG reporting and how companies can decide what and where to report.

Topics include:

• 2:44 - What does the process look like? It is becoming more and more important, and often required, for businesses to report on ESG. Shannon and Heather discuss the evolution of PwC’s ESG reporting, including practical tips on how to look at the data available.
• 7:57 - How to think through the frameworks. Choosing which metrics and frameworks work for your company may seem overwhelming given the multitude of options. Shannon breaks down how she thinks through the various ESG reporting frameworks available and where to start once you’ve collected some of the data.
• 15:10 - What metrics should be disclosed? The factors that are important to your stakeholders will be impacted by your industry and what is important to your company. Shannon explains how she and her team worked to identify metrics for PwC and what companies should consider when deciding what to disclose.
• 25:38 - What about skeptics? Not everyone will see the value or be motivated to change at the same pace. Shannon and Heather discuss the different reasons executives and companies have to care about ESG reporting.
• 35:02 - Advice for listeners. Shannon and Heather discuss some practical advice for listeners as they begin or continue to evolve their ESG reporting. Shannon provides her perspective on what challenges companies may face in the future.

Want to learn more?

• Listen to our previous podcasts in this series,Talking ESG: Are SASB standards right for your business?, Talking ESG: Leveraging TCFD for climate-related disclosures, Talking ESG: How SEC proposals may shape future reporting, Talking ESG: A focus on the Global Reporting Initiative, and Talking ESG: How new EU rules may impact your reporting.
• Read PwC’s Purpose Report.

Shannon Schuyler is PwC’s US Chief Purpose & Inclusion Officer. Shannon’s work activates PwC’s purpose to build trust in society and solve important problems and to create a fulfilling employee experience. Shannon is responsible for furthering diversity, inclusion, and equity across the firm’s workforce, as well as bringing a focus to the role PwC plays in our communities. She also serves as Co-Chair of CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion.

Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected].

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In each episode of our What’s trending in SEC comments series, our guests bring you the latest themes in comment letters from the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance for the most common topical areas of financial reporting.

This week we focus on MD&A. Ryan Spencer, a partner in PwC’s National Office, joined Heather Horn to break down some of the questions raised in these comments, giving you a deeper understanding of the SEC staff’s expectations, as well as context and insights into the MD&A rules.

Topics include:

• 1:30 - What has changed about the MD&A rule? The SEC recently amended the MD&A rule with a goal of modernizing, simplifying, and enhancing the disclosure requirements. Ryan explains the primary changes.
• 10:56 - What types of comments are companies receiving? Ryan discusses the main themes of the SEC staff’s MD&A comments. Common questions relate to results of operations, liquidity and capital resources, and critical accounting estimates.
• 15:37 - Results of operations. Results of operations continues to be an area of focus for SEC comments. Ryan and Heather discuss areas where the SEC staff has typically asked questions and how preparers can get the disclosures right the first time.
• 17:24 - Liquidity and capital resources. Ryan brings listeners up to speed on key themes related to liquidity and capital resources, including short and long term liquidity, operating cash flows, and covenants.
• 21:04 - Critical accounting estimates. Companies’ disclosures have to address uncertainties associated with methods and assumptions related to critical accounting estimates. Ryan helps break down this complicated topic.
• 24:47 - Key takeaways and reminders. We close with some future areas to pay attention to and helpful advice for year end reporting. Heather tries to stump Ryan with some niche accounting questions.

Want to learn more?

• Listen to our previous comment letter podcasts on Debt, warrants, and equity, Revenue, Goodwill, Inventory and cost of sales, and Segment reporting
• In the loop: Don’t wait until the SEC staff asks you about climate change
• See our overview of SEC Comment Letter Trends

Ryan Spencer is a Partner at PwC's National Office specializing in SEC financial reporting. He has over 20 years of experience serving clients and is a frequent contributor to PwC’s publications and communications.

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.

Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [email protected]

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