The PCAOB is under siege. Critics say it's overreached its mission while supporters argue we've forgotten why it was created: to prevent another Enron or WorldCom. 

On this episode of The Pre-Read, Workiva Industry Principals Chelsea Hall and Grant Ostler join for a roundtable to discuss what's broken and what's worth saving. We examine the push to dismantle the board and roll its responsibilities into the SEC. We also discuss what executives need to keep in mind, the importance of maintaining investor confidence in financial reporting, and how leveraging technology can streamline compliance and reduce the burden of documentation.

0:00 Introduction

01:40 What's going on with the PCAOB?

03:20 Is this political theater or a real threat?

05:00 Why the PCAOB matters to the C-suite

06:30 The value of audits as a foundation for capital markets

08:00 Where the PCAOB may have missed the mark

10:15 The cost of compliance

13:30 Investor concerns on regulation and efficiency

16:15 How companies can prepare for change

17:30 Finding the balance between regulation and efficiency

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The market is changing, and it’s not just about inflation or interest rates. It’s rewriting valuations, reworking supply chains, and reshaping your disclosures. This episode of The Pre-Read, brought to you by Workiva, explores what happens when market volatility meets materiality, and why CFOs, GCs, and audit chairs are all paying attention. We feature insights from Nick Mazing of AlphaSense and Josh Gertsch, Workiva Industry Principal for Capital Markets, on the unpredictable forces at play. Nick discusses the messy and varied impact of tariffs, noting that the deal-by-deal approach has created an unpredictable environment, even for companies expected to benefit. He also touches on how AI is maturing in corporate disclosures, the return of M&A, and the growing number of companies allocating to Bitcoin. Josh provides a historical perspective on the IPO market, highlighting the biggest boom in over 20 years, followed by some of the worst years ever, and its current upward trend. He explains that despite a large pipeline of companies ready to go public, market volatility—especially with changes over 20%—is preventing deals from being priced. He advises companies to focus on what they can control, such as refining their equity story and ensuring operational readiness, while they wait for stability. Timestamps: 03:00 The messy and explicit nature of tariff disclosures 06:25 The copper example: Who are tariffs really helping? 09:15 Other topics showing up in earnings releases: AI, inflation, and M&A 11:00 Interest rates, inflation, and the new normal 13:50 The return of big M&A deals 15:45 The risk of assessing the impact in SEC filings 18:50 Josh Gertsch’s background and expertise in capital markets 21:30 What happened to the pent-up demand for IPOs 25:30 What needs to happen for the IPO window to open again 30:40 The importance of the equity story and operational readiness  #IPOs #CapitalMarkets #Tariffs #M&A #Finance #Workiva #MarketVolatility Subscribe to catch all our upcoming episodes and never miss out on the latest discussions in all things accounting and finance.

AI is here, and it’s sparking conversations about everything from how we work to how we report. This episode of The Pre-Read, brought to you by Workiva, dives into the heart of what happens when artificial intelligence meets the real world of finance and risk. We’re talking about why CFOs, general counsels, and audit chairs are all leaning in—and what questions they’re asking. 

Our own CFO, Jill Klindt, spills the beans about how finance teams can use AI to make their jobs better, not replace them. Think augmenting expertise and making those tedious tasks disappear. She’s also got the inside scoop on why data quality is like gold for AI success and why CFOs should lead the charge when it comes to experimenting with this new tech. 

Plus, Alan Wilson, Partner at WilmerHale, gives us the straight talk on the legal side of things. He emphasizes getting your legal team involved early, treating AI just like any other business risk, and keeping an eye on how regulatory accountability is already shaping up. It’s a must-listen for anyone ready to navigate the exciting, and sometimes head-scratching, world of AI. 

  Timestamps:

02:30 Jill K. on AI: Enhancing human expertise versus automating the mundane. 

05:10 Unlocking value: Where AI fits into your income statement. 

08:00 Inside Workiva’s AI strategy: Collaborating to build better tech. 

10:45 Why clean data is the secret sauce for AI success. 

13:30 Jill K’s candid advice for executives embracing the AI future. 

15:45 Alan W. on looping in legal when implementing AI. 

18:30 Public perception: How to talk about AI without overselling it. 

21:00 Navigating the legal maze: Agencies, juries, and the “AI washing” problem. 

24:30 Peering into the crystal ball: Unforeseen risks and the future of AI. 

Just like the slides before a big meeting, The Pre-Read gets CFOs and execs ready for what’s next. Each week, hosts Alyssa Zucker and Steve Soter connect the dots between finance, sustainability, audit, and risk — with sharp insights and unfiltered conversations from leaders navigating change at scale. If you’re driving transformation or need to understand the ones who are, this is your prep. Subscribe now! 

In this bonus episode of ESG Talk, we throw back to a live recording of our sister show Off the Books. Charley Nelson is an environmental policy major who joined a technical accounting team at Etsy. Charley explains why that actually makes sense and what he’s learned from working with accountants.

If you have thoughts, suggestions, or topics you’d like us to explore, don’t hesitate to reach out! You can contact us at [email protected]

Join Mandi McReynolds and an esteemed panel at UnDavos as they dive into the evolving role of Chief Sustainability Officers post-global elections. Featuring insights from top executives like Dr. Anna Gawlikowska, Co-Founder & CEO @ Swiss AI AG, Rainer Karcher, Founder & CEO of Heartprint GmbH, and Viktoriia Savitska, Chief of Sustainability and Strategic Engagement from EPICNTR Group, this discussion covers the essential values driving their sustainability strategies, the importance of collaboration, and the innovative use of AI to tackle sustainability challenges. Tune in to discover how industry leaders are navigating regulatory landscapes, business performance, and environmental impact to build a sustainable future.

This week, Deanna Bratter, Chief Sustainability Officer at Crocs, Inc., joins Alyssa Zucker to talk about the company's pioneering initiatives in the circular economy. They discuss Crocs, Inc.'s introduction of the Keep It Going Classic Clog, made with 25% recycled content, and the 2023 launch of their retail take-back program. Tune in for highlights of the challenges and strategies associated with the program, including customer reactions and scalability. Plus, Crocs, Inc.'s social responsibility initiatives within their supply chain, and so much more! 

In this episode of ESG Talk, Cassandra Garber, chief sustainability officer at Dell Technologies joins host Mandi McReynolds. Listen in as Cassandra and Mandi discuss how the global technology leader incorporates the measurement, management, and governance of ESG priorities into both its operations and product offerings.

This week, Mandi McReynolds, along with co-hosts Steve, Andie, and Alyssa, discuss the latest findings from Workiva’s Executive Benchmark survey that explores the intersection of finance and sustainability amidst global political complexities. Highlighting the importance of integrated reporting, they address the impact of European legislation, ISSB standards, and U.S. state-level regulations. The conversation delves into the strategic value creation of sustainability reporting and offers practical advice for engaging with the C-suite.
 Read the 2025 Executive Benchmark on Integrated Reporting.  00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:35 Executive Benchmark Survey Insights 01:51 Impact of European Legislation on Companies 05:04 Global Implementation of ISSB Standards 07:48 State-Level Climate Regulations in the US 13:40 Value Creation Through Sustainability Reporting 18:52 Practical Tips and Humorous Insights 28:58 Final Thoughts and Conclusion