PwC's accounting podcast

This episode begins a podcast miniseries on revenue topics with a discussion of principal versus agent (PvA) or “gross versus net” revenue. In other words, the principal in a transaction records revenue on a gross basis and the agent records revenue net. The PvA analysis can be subjective but it's important to get it right as it can materially impact a key line item in the income statement, r...

This episode dives into valuation relating to goodwill impairments, long-lived asset impairments, and business combinations. We discuss: 1:15 – The meaning of “fair value” in financial reporting 5:55 – Valuation considerations and insights related 6:20 – Goodwill impairments 34:30 – Impairments of long-lived assets 42:53 – Business combinations For more information, read chapter 7 of our Fair valu...

We continue our miniseries on consolidation accounting and dive into the evaluation of variable interests and the characteristics of a variable interest entity (VIE). In this episode, we discuss:  1:24 – An overview of the VIE model  3:30 – Determining whether there is a variable interest  11:25 – Identifying “at-risk” equity  15:28 – Evaluating whether an entity is a VIE by assessing the followin...

We kick off our miniseries on consolidation accounting with an overview of the consolidation models and lay the foundation to go deeper into the variable interest entity model in the next two episodes. In this episode, we discuss: 02:59 -  Background on the two consolidation models 12:54 -  The overall consolidation framework 14:20 -  The variable interest entity model 20:25  - The voting interest...

We wrap up our miniseries on accounting for financing transactions with a focus on the accounting for equity-linked instruments. In this episode, we discuss: 2:03 - Why companies issue equity-linked instruments 7:23 - Determining whether an instrument is freestanding or embedded 13:13 - Determining whether an instrument is indexed to the entity’s own stock 17:23 - Exercise contingencies 19:50 - Se...

Next up in our miniseries on accounting for financing transactions is mezzanine equity. When an instrument is presented as mezzanine equity, it is not permanent equity or a liability. We explain what that means and provide an overview of how to account for it as well as the financial statement impacts. In this episode, we discuss: 1:56 - Background and the associated SEC guidance on mezzanine equi...

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 financing 9:40 - The accountin...

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...

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 meth...

This episode provides an overview of new FASB income tax guidance requiring disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as income taxes paid. The FASB’s updates are intended to benefit investors by providing more detailed income tax disclosures that may be useful in making capital allocation decisions. In this episode, we discuss: 0:20 - Backgroun...

The final episode in our lease accounting miniseries focuses on embedded leases. Although it may not be explicitly stated, your contract may contain a lease that needs to be accounted for. We cover some of the key considerations and common difficulties. In this episode, we discuss: 1:35 - Embedded leases, including examples 7:43 - The model used to identify an embedded lease 08:56 - Identified ass...

A critical step in getting ready for new sustainability reporting requirements is building a comprehensive governance framework. In this episode, host Heather Horn sits down with Stephen Parker and Matt DiGuiseppe of PwC’s Governance Insights Center to discuss the new regulatory environment and what it means for board members looking to discharge their oversight responsibilities effectively and ma...

In this next episode in our miniseries on lease accounting, we focus on lessee accounting for real estate leases. From lease incentives to build-to-suit arrangements and more, we cover some of the key areas that lessees should consider in accounting for real estate leases.  In this episode, we discuss: 03:25 - Lease incentives 08:23 - Distinguishing between lessee and lessor assets 11:28 - Account...

While the changing global sustainability reporting landscape may pose challenges for preparers, there continue to be opportunities for companies in every industry to take a holistic approach to disclosure – whether mandatory or voluntary. In this episode, host Heather Horn sits down with Marc Siegel, PwC National Office partner, for a discussion of the key focus areas and action steps for C-suite...

We continue our miniseries on lease accounting. In this episode, we discuss “day 2” lease accounting, focusing on lease remeasurements, subleasing, and lease impairments. In this episode, you’ll hear a discussion of: 01:18 - Events requiring remeasurement 02:17 - Full lease remeasurements 06:19 - Partial lease remeasurements 7:47 - Lease term and purchase option remeasurements 13:44 - Lease modifi...

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) under the IFRS Foundation last year released IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, representing a step toward the organization’s goal of achieving a comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures. But implementing such a global baseline effectively goes beyond simply setting standards – it requires a new set of capabilities, infrastructure, knowl...

This first episode in a miniseries on lease accounting focuses on lease classification. We provide an overview of the differences between finance and operating leases and discuss the criteria for classifying leases. In this episode, you’ll hear: 3:30 - An overview of the key differences between finance and operating leases, including expense recognition and cash flow classification 5:15 - A discus...

We wrap up our miniseries exploring accounting for property, plant, and equipment with a discussion of asset acquisitions. In this episode Host Heather Horn is joined by PwC National Office partners Matt Sabatini and Alexander Martin who team up to share their knowledge and insights on this topic. In this episode, you’ll hear: 04:41 – A discussion of how to determine whether a transaction is an as...

We continue our miniseries exploring accounting for property, plant, and equipment. In this second episode we discuss the treatment of long-lived assets that are held for sale, from impairment to accounting for the sale of non-financial assets. Host Heather Horn is once again joined by Beth Paul, Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office, to walk through specific considerations and complexi...

Got property, plant, and equipment? We’ve got you covered with a miniseries that explores the key judgments and complexities on the topic. We kick off with the impairment of long-lived assets that are held and used. Host Heather Horn is joined by Beth Paul, Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office, to break down what is important.  In this episode, you’ll hear: 00:28 - An overview of long-...

The GHG Protocol has been one of the most widely used sustainability reporting frameworks for companies reporting GHG emissions information. With the evolution of the sustainability reporting landscape, including the adoption of regulatory sustainability reporting frameworks both in the United States and globally, the criticality of GHG emissions information and the GHG Protocol is reinforced by i...

We continue our podcast series focused on financial statement presentation. In this episode, host Heather Horn sits down with Bret Dooley, Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office leading our financial instruments team, for a refresher on restricted cash – a focus area due to its impact on liquidity and the recent statement from the SEC Chief Accountant on the cash flow statement. Together...

We continue our month of podcasts focused on financial statement presentation. In this episode, host Heather Horn sits down with Bret Dooley, Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office leading our financial instruments team, for a refresher on a topic that is fundamental to financial reporting for its impact on financial statement ratios – balance sheet offsetting. Together, they break down...

We conclude our miniseries on consolidation accounting with an episode on identifying the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the reporting entity required to consolidate the VIE. In this episode, we discuss: 3:15 – Determining which entity should consolidate the VIE 6:07 – The primary beneficiary power criterion 17:35 – The primary beneficiary economics criterion  21:17 – Related party impacts on the V...

The European Union (EU) has ushered in a new era of sustainability reporting, as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is now effective. With impacts to both EU and non-EU headquartered companies, now is the time to understand the reporting requirements of this sweeping new regulation. Continuing our CSRD series, this week Heather Horn is joined by Peter Flick and Nina Schäfer to...