Text us your thoughts on this episode 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 businesses and assets for resilience22:13 - The role of reporting in driving climate action26:09 - The evolving prominence of the chief sustainability officer role34:38 - How meaningful demand reduction progress can be made by embedding energy efficiency in strategy beginning with the C-suite Looking for more information on sustainability strategy and reporting? Check out our previous podcasts on TNFD, CSRD, and the sustainability expectation gap in reporting.  Will Jackson-Moore is PwC’s Global Sustainability Leader, responsible for leadership of our sustainability teams, technology, alliances, and methodologies. 
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.

Talking ESG: Key takeaways from Climate Week 2023

Listen in as PwC specialists discuss today’s most compelling accounting, reporting, and business issues. Whether financial reporting or sustainability reporting, each episode is packed with insights you won't find anywhere else.

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Text us your thoughts on this episode While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was enacted into law in 2022, the Department of the Treasury continues to provide guidance to taxpayers on how to utilize the provisions of the law. Such guidance has been issued with increasing volume in recent months. In this episode, host Heather Horn sits down with Matt Haskins, principal in PwC's Washington National Tax Services office who focuses on renewable energy transactions, to discuss the latest IRA guidance and the implications for businesses.

In this episode, we discuss:2:18 - Highlights of recent updates regarding the IRA and a look ahead at the political landscape7:14 - Clarifications on the prevailing wage and apprenticeship and domestic content requirements19:42 - Updates on the transferable tax credit market and activities27:15 - Final regulations on transferability of energy credits31:11 - The latest news on “green” hydrogen requirements41:45 - Guidance on sustainable aviation fuel and its potential impact on the aviation industry44:31 - Final electric vehicle regulations and their implications for the automotive industry48:20 - Advice for companies looking to maximize the benefit of the IRALooking for the latest developments in sustainability reporting? Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest thought leadership on sustainability standards.

Matt Haskins is a principal in PwC’s Washington National Tax Services, focusing on renewable energy financing and M&A; transactions. In addition to writing and speaking on issues in the renewable energy industry, Matt has co-chaired the energy and environmental taxes working group for the US Council on International Business and served as a delegate for key energy initiatives of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

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 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.

Talking ESG: Taking advantage of Inflation Reduction Act incentives

Text us your thoughts on this episode We continue our miniseries on accounting for financing transactions with a focus on preferred shares. In this episode we provide an overview and walk through the key judgments in accounting for different types of preferred stock.

In this episode, we discuss:2:01 - An overview of preferred stock, common features, and reasons companies may issue it over other forms of financing9:40 - The accounting model for preferred stock14:30 - Classification, recognition, and measurement of preferred stock30:55 - Dividends33:34 - Extinguishment or modification accountingFor more information on these topics, read chapter 7 of our Financing transactions guide. Also, for more on the EPS implications of preferred stock, listen to our podcast, Presenting earnings per share (EPS). 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.

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.

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 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. 

Accounting for preferred stock from issuance to retirement

Text us your thoughts on this episode The concept of a circular economy emphasizes reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling to minimize waste and maximize resource use in the context of a planet with finite resources. And as you’ll hear in this episode, circularity is increasingly becoming a business issue, both a challenge and opportunity, that interacts with multiple sustainability topics.

This week, Heather Horn is joined by Tom Beagent, a partner in PwC UK’s Global Sustainability and Climate Change practice, to discuss the circular economy, a sustainable alternative to the traditional linear economy model.

In this episode, we discuss:3:02 - The concept of a circular economy and its importance in the context of finite resources7:52 - The relationship between a circular economy, net zero emissions, and biodiversity9:07 - The scale of change required, and the steps involved to transition to a circular economy13:18 - Examples of industries and products that would benefit the most from transitioning to a circular economy 19:18 - Consumer practices that fit within a circular economy24:21 - Why regulators are stepping in to mandate change26:40 - The business opportunities that arise from solving problems related to waste and resource use28:34 - The challenge of changing consumer behavior and perceptions of abundance31:58 - Reporting under the EU's ESRS E5 standard and insights from the related dataLooking for the latest developments in sustainability reporting? Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest thought leadership on sustainability standards.

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.

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 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.

Talking ESG: The challenge – and promise – of a circular economy

Text us your thoughts on this episode We kick off our miniseries on accounting for financing transactions with a focus on share repurchases. We provide an overview of the different methods and reasons companies may repurchase their own shares as well as the accounting implications. Spoiler alert – the type of arrangement really matters as it dictates the accounting.

In this episode, we discuss:3:38 – An overview of the different methods and reasons companies repurchase shares11:43 – Accounting implications depending on the method of repurchase:11:55 – Spot repurchases15:07 – 10B5-1 plans16:26 – Forward repurchases18:56 – Prepaid repurchases20:30 – Tender offers24:08 – Accelerated share repurchases30:40 – Accounting for treasury stockFor more information on these topics, read chapter 9 of our Financing transactions guide. 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.

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 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. 

Share repurchases – The type of arrangement matters

Text us your thoughts on this episode While the SEC has stayed its climate disclosure rule for now, our team is still fielding many questions as preparers work toward complying with global sustainability reporting regulations. In this episode, host Heather Horn sits down with PwC National Office partners Kevin Vaughn, Diana Stoltzfus, and Valerie Wieman to break down some frequently asked questions on the SEC climate-related disclosures rules. 

In this episode, we discuss:2:05 - The implications of the SEC staying the new climate disclosure rules, and how the rules fit into an environment with multiple reporting frameworks5:17 - The continued applicability of previously issued interpretive guidance on climate-related disclosures7:05 - The scope of the SEC’s new climate disclosure rules10:11 - Impacts of the disclosure rules to management certifications and internal controls11:20 - Frequently asked questions from SEC filers about:11:25 - Scenario analysis13:53 - Materiality15:31 - Targets and goals21:10 - Renewable energy certificates and carbon offsets23:51 - Financial statement impacts30:26 - Severe weather events and other natural conditions33:56 - Advice and action steps for preparersLooking for the latest developments in sustainability reporting? Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to for the latest thought leadership on sustainability standards. Also, refer to the SEC staff’s Dear Issuer Letter for sample comments on a company’s climate-related disclosures.

Kevin Vaughn is a partner in PwC’s National Office. Prior to joining PwC, Kevin was senior associate chief accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) at the SEC where he spent almost 20 years focusing on complex financial reporting and technical accounting issues.

Valerie Wieman is a PwC National Office partner with over 30 years of experience. She helps lead the creation, development, and publication of our brand-defining thought leadership, with a focus on domestic and international sustainability requirements.

Diana Stoltzfus is a partner in the National Office. Diana 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 Professional Practices Group within the OCA.

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 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. 

Talking ESG: Key takeaways from Climate Week 2023

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