PwC's accounting podcast

3d ago

In this episode, we debrief the 2025 AICPA Conference in Washington, DC, highlighting key takeaways including perspectives from SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and other regulatory leaders. Topics include the SEC’s rulemaking priorities for 2026, trends in capital formation, and emerging issues such as AI and cryptocurrency. We also explore practical reminders for year-end reporting and insights into international standard setting collaboration. In this episode, we discuss: 6:42 – SEC Chair keynote: “Making IPOs great again” 12:51 – Emerging issues: AI, crypto, and international standard setting 25:08 – SEC shutdown impacts and capital markets backlog 32:06 – Rulemaking outlook and year-end reminders 47:08 – PCAOB oversight, inspections, and audit standard - setting themes For more, read our In depth , 2025 AICPA & CIMA Conference: Current SEC and PCAOB Developments . Be sure to follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop. About our guests Kevin Vaughn is a PwC National Office partner specializing in SEC reporting matters. Kevin leverages his extensive experience to support PwC public company and pre-IPO clients on accounting and SEC reporting matters. Prior to joining PwC in 2023, Kevin spent over 18 years at the SEC, most recently serving on the leadership team in the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant where he focused on technical accounting consultations, SEC rulemakings, and standard setting matters. Scott Feely is a PwC National Office Deputy Chief Accountant. He has over 30 years of experience supporting clients as they address the SEC and financial reporting implications of their capital markets and merger and acquisition-related activities. About our guest host Kyle Moffatt is PwC’s Professional Practice leader, leading a team responsible for working with standard setters and regulators as well as delivering brand-defining thought leadership and educational materials. He also consults with engagement teams and audit clients on SEC reporting matters. Before PwC, Kyle spent almost 20 years with the SEC, most recently as Chief Accountant and Disclosure Program Director in the Division of Corporation Finance. Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Dec 9

We continue our SEC-focused series with a discussion of segment disclosures, reporting trends, and early comment letter themes emerging from the adoption of the new standard. In this episode, we explore common staff observations, including the role of the Chief Operating Decision Maker, or CODM; significant expense disclosures; and interplay with non-GAAP measures. In this episode, we discuss: 1:46 – Why segment disclosures remain a top SEC focus 8:04 – Early comment themes under the new standard 15:14 – Multiple profit measures and non-GAAP considerations 28:14 – How the SEC evaluates a company’s segment structure 35:28 – Ongoing reassessment of impacts to segments In case you missed it, check out the previous episodes in this SEC-focused series: SEC now: 2025 comment letter trends on transactions SEC now: Non-GAAP 2025 comment letter trends SEC now: Today’s landscape and recent developments Be sure to follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop. About our guests Kevin Vaughn is a PwC National Office partner specializing in SEC reporting matters. Kevin leverages his extensive experience to support PwC public company and pre-IPO clients on accounting and SEC reporting matters. Prior to joining PwC in 2023, Kevin spent over 18 years at the SEC, most recently serving on the leadership team in the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant where he focused on technical accounting consultations, SEC rulemakings, and standard setting matters. Jay Seliber is a partner in PwC’s National Office. He leverages over 35 years of experience to help clients with their most complex accounting matters, particularly in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, segment reporting, revenue recognition, stock compensation, earnings per share, employee benefits, restructurings, impairments, and financing transactions. About our guest host Kyle Moffatt is PwC’s Professional Practice leader, leading a team responsible for working with standard setters and regulators as well as delivering brand-defining thought leadership and educational materials. He also consults with engagement teams and audit clients on SEC reporting matters. Before PwC, Kyle spent almost 20 years with the SEC, most recently as Chief Accountant and Disclosure Program Director in the Division of Corporation Finance. Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Dec 4

A video of this podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, or PwC’s website at viewpoint.pwc.com The GHG Protocol has released its long-awaited proposed updates to the Scope 2 Guidance. In this episode, we highlight the key changes in the exposure draft, including proposed revisions to location-based and market-based reporting, hourly matching, emission factor hierarchies, and more. We also explore what these developments could mean for companies and how stakeholders can participate in the revision process. In this episode, we discuss: 2:49 – Redefining the purpose for location-based and market-based reporting 5:33 – The importance of the decision-making criteria 6:56 – New emission factor hierarchy for location-based reporting 14:30 – Shift toward hourly matching in the market-based method 21:53 – Deliverability criteria and implications for renewable energy credits 26:19 – Residual mix and fossil-only defaults for unclaimed energy 32:45 – How companies can share feedback and next steps for the Scope 2 guidance For more on the GHG Protocol’s exposure draft, see our publication, GHG Protocol announces Scope 2 Public Consultation , which was updated to indicate that the public consultation deadline was extended to January 31, 2026. Check out our previous episodes for more on the GHG Protocol and GHG reporting: Sustainability now: Modernizing the GHG Protocol Sustainability now: Inside the GHG Protocol’s scope 3 update Sustainability now: GHG reporting trends and challenges Looking for the latest developments in sustainability reporting? Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop for the latest thought leadership on sustainability standards. About our guest Colin Powell is PwC Canada’s Technical Net Zero Leader. His work focuses on GHG quantification, life cycle assessment, target setting, and decarbonization strategies. He has helped companies measure over 1 billion tonnes of emissions and previously worked as a consultant supporting global clients in decarbonization. Colin sits on the GHG Protocol’s Scope 3 Working Group, helping shape updates to global standards. He is also a Professional Engineer (Ontario) with a PhD in wastewater treatment modeling. 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. Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Dec 2

We continue our SEC-focused series with a discussion on transaction-related matters, including IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, spinoffs, and divestitures. Our guests share insights into the SEC preclearance process and common SEC comment letter themes. Getting ahead of these issues can help avoid delays that may significantly impact deal timing and disclosures. In this episode, we discuss: 3:56 – Overview of 2025 IPO and M&A market activity 7:08 – SEC preclearance process and common issues 19:59 – Typical transaction filing review comment letter themes 32:49 – Final takeaways on anticipating and addressing SEC comments For more information: Going for a spin: Accounting and reporting for spinoffs Financial statement presentation guide Business combinations guide In case you missed it, check out the previous episodes in this SEC-focused series: SEC now: Today’s landscape and recent developments SEC now: Non-GAAP 2025 comment letter trends For more on the SEC, listen to our recent episode on frequency of reporting, SEC to revisit quarterly reporting: Pros, cons, and what’s ahead . Also, check out our SEC reporting series from earlier this year where we take a “back to basics” look at key reporting areas: Inside SEC reporting: Capital formation Inside SEC reporting: Acquisitions and divestitures Inside SEC reporting: Pro forma financial information Inside SEC reporting: Form 8-K (current report) Be sure to follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop. About our guests, Katie Driessen , a partner in PwC’s National Office who assists companies with complex accounting and financial reporting issues related to capital markets transactions and Scott Feely , a PwC National Office Deputy Chief Accountant with 30 years of experience supporting clients. About our guest host, Kyle Moffatt , PwC’s Professional Practice leader who guides teams partnering with regulators and delivering influential thought leadership and educational materials. Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Nov 25

We continue our SEC-focused series with an episode on non-GAAP financial measures, commonly used by companies to supplement their financial statements and provide investors with a deeper understanding of their performance or financial condition. Given their importance, it’s been a top focus area for the SEC staff over the last several years, and we expect that trend to continue. We highlight common comment letter themes and share practical guidance for year-end reporting and comment letter responses. In this episode, we discuss: 2:17 – Overview of non-GAAP measures 6:20 – SEC comment letter trends and recurring issues 23:15 – Possible shifts in focus under the new SEC administration 27:35 – Year-end reminders and best practices for responding to SEC comments In case you missed it, check out our first episode in this SEC-focused series: SEC now: Today’s landscape and recent developments . For more on the SEC, listen to our recent episode on frequency of reporting, SEC to revisit quarterly reporting: Pros, cons, and what’s ahead . Also, check out our SEC reporting series from earlier this year where we take a “back to basics” look at key reporting areas: Inside SEC reporting: Capital formation Inside SEC reporting: Acquisitions and divestitures Inside SEC reporting: Pro forma financial information Inside SEC reporting: Form 8-K (current report) Be sure to follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop. Our guests are Kevin Vaughn , a PwC National Office partner specializing in SEC reporting matters, and John Ly , a PwC National Office managing director within the SEC & Capital Markets group. Our host is Kyle Moffatt , PwC’s Professional Practice leader, leading a team responsible for working with standard setters and regulators as well as delivering brand-defining thought leadership and educational materials. Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Nov 20

The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is a widely-cited metric used to compare the cost of energy from different power sources—but it’s often misunderstood and misused. This week, host Heather Horn is joined by Karl Hausker, Senior Fellow at the World Resources Institute’s Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition, to cover what LCOE really measures, why it’s not the full story, and how it fits into the broader effort to decarbonize the power sector. Together, they explore what companies and regulators should consider when evaluating clean energy investments and transition plans. In this episode, we discuss: 5:23 – What LCOE measures—and what it misses 11:29 – Why LCOE shouldn’t drive policy decisions 25:20 – Implications for companies and scope 2 emissions 31:41 – The future energy mix As referenced in this episode, explore Karl Hausker’s companion slides for more information. At the time of recording, the GHG Protocol exposure drafts on scope 2 had not yet been released. Check out GHG Protocol announces Scope 2 Public Consultation for more information. Looking for more on GHG and sustainability reporting? CARB releases draft emissions reporting template Sustainability now: Inside the GHG Protocol’s scope 3 update PwC’s Sustainability reporting guide About our guest Dr. Karl Hausker is a Senior Fellow in the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition. He leads analysis and modeling of climate mitigation, electricity market design, and the social cost of carbon. He testifies before Congress, lectures widely on deep decarbonization, and served as an expert reviewer for Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. About our host 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 Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Nov 18

In this episode, we kick off a new SEC-focused series with an overview of current developments shaping SEC reporting. Our guests unpack recent leadership changes, the evolving rulemaking agenda, reporting themes, and key trends in SEC comment letters. In this episode, we discuss: 1:54 – SEC leadership updates 8:31 – Rulemaking agenda and expected priorities 15:29 – Rulemaking challenges: staff capacity and shutdown constraints 18:27 – Government shutdown effects on IPOs and the SEC review process 24:09 – SEC comment letter themes and focus areas For more, listen to our recent episode on frequency of reporting, SEC to revisit quarterly reporting: Pros, cons, and what’s ahead . Also, check out our SEC reporting series from earlier this year where we take a “back to basics” look at key reporting areas: Inside SEC reporting: Capital formation Inside SEC reporting: Acquisitions and divestitures Inside SEC reporting: Pro forma financial information Inside SEC reporting: Form 8-K (current report) Be sure to follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop. About our guests Scott Feely is a PwC National Office Deputy Chief Accountant. He has over 30 years of experience supporting clients as they address the SEC and financial reporting implications of their capital markets and merger and acquisition-related activities. Lindsay McCord is a PwC National Office partner specializing in matters related to the SEC and the capital markets. Prior to joining PwC, Lindsay spent over 15 years at the SEC, most recently as the Chief Accountant in the Division of Corporation Finance. In this role, Lindsay led an accounting team in providing technical accounting and reporting support to the Division, including SEC rulemaking, interpretation, and guidance. About our guest host Kyle Moffatt is PwC’s Professional Practice leader, leading a team responsible for working with standard setters and regulators as well as delivering brand-defining thought leadership and educational materials. He also consults with engagement teams and audit clients on SEC reporting matters. Before PwC, Kyle spent almost 20 years with the SEC, most recently as Chief Accountant and Disclosure Program Director in the Division of Corporation Finance. Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

Nov 13

A video of this podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, or PwC’s website at viewpoint.pwc.com In this episode, we take a closer look at the modernization of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and its implications for sustainability reporting with a member of the GHG Protocol’s Independent Standards Board, Paul Munter. Paul shares insights on the evolving governance structure, the newly released scope 2 guidance, and the growing importance of interoperability in global sustainability reporting. In this episode, we discuss: 0:58 – What’s driving the modernization of GHG Protocol standards 3:31 – The governance model, including the role of the Independent Standards Board 9:06 – Highlights of the scope 2 public consultation and the importance of stakeholder feedback 17:46 – Interoperability with other sustainability reporting frameworks 21:36 – Updates under review for the Corporate Standard and the Scope 3 Standard 26:40 – What companies can be doing now to prepare for upcoming changes 32:27 – The role of boards and audit committees in overseeing emissions reporting For more on the GHG Protocol’s recent exposure draft and the overall timeline for its revision process, check out our publication, GHG Protocol announces Scope 2 Public Consultation. To explore additional insights on GHG reporting, see: Sustainability now: GHG reporting trends and challenges Sustainability now: Inside the GHG Protocol’s scope 3 update CARB releases draft emissions reporting template About our guest Paul Munter is currently a member of the Independent Standards Board of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. He served as the Chief Accountant at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2021 – 2025. During much of that time, he also served as Chair of the Monitoring Group and as Vice Chair and Chair of IOSCO’s Committee on Issuer Accounting, Audit and Disclosure. Prior to that, he served the SEC as Deputy Chief Accountant from 2019 - 2021, leading the Office of the Chief Accountant’s international work. About our guest host Diana Stoltzfus is a sustainability partner in the Professional Practice Group within the National Office. Diana helps to shape our firm’s perspective on regulatory matters, responses to rulemakings, and policy development and implementation related to significant new rules and regulations. Diana was previously the Deputy Chief Accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) of the Professional Practice Group in the OCA at the SEC. She focused on providing guidance related to auditing, independence, and internal controls. Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.