We continue our year-end toolkit series with insights on key areas of the year-end accounting and reporting process. Today’s episode focuses on the finance team’s engagement with the audit committee, which faces a packed agenda and expanding oversight responsibilities. We explore how management can strengthen collaboration with those charged with governance, streamline reporting, and address emerging issues such as AI, enterprise risk management, and transformation initiatives.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 1:18 – Strengthening management/audit committee communication and collaboration
• 10:10 – Key year-end issues finance teams should be prepared to address
• 15:02 – Oversight of AI: risks, opportunities, and controls
• 21:33 – Enhancing enterprise risk oversight
• 27:35 – Navigating the evolving cyber risk landscape in the age of AI
• 36:05 – Elevating proxy disclosures

For more, watch the replay of our Year-end audit committee webcast and read our publication, Your year-end audit committee guide.

In case you missed it, check out the previous episode in this year-end miniseries:

• Year-end toolkit: Accounting and reporting reminders for 2026
• Year-end toolkit: Materiality assessments
• Year-end toolkit: Cash flow classification

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About our guest

Stephen Parker is a partner in PwC’s Governance Insights Center, which strives to strengthen the connection between directors, executive teams, and investors by helping them navigate the evolving governance landscape. With more than 30 years of experience, Stephen has advised boards of directors on a variety of complex financial reporting matters. Stephen’s client service experience includes energy and utility companies, financial services companies, and nonprofits.

About our guest host

Diana Stoltzfus is a partner in PwC’s National Office who 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 OCA’s Professional Practices Group.

Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com

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We continue our year-end toolkit series sharing insights on key areas of the year-end accounting and reporting process. In this episode, we focus on the statement of cash flows—an area that remains critical to investors and continues to get focus from regulators. We discuss recent SEC comment letter observations, practical considerations for complex transactions such as debt restructurings, payment processing arrangements, and business combinations; we also highlight reminders and best practices to help companies navigate year-end reporting.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 1:05 – Overview of the statement of cash flows and key reminders
• 3:46 – SEC comment letter themes
• 7:52 – Debt restructurings
• 15:21 – Payment processing arrangements
• 20:27 – Business combinations
• 32:56 – FASB project on targeted improvements to the statement of cash flows

For more on the statement of cash flows, see Chapter 6 of our Financial statement presentation guide.

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About our guests

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

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.

About our guest host

Diana Stoltzfus is a partner in the National Office who 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 OCA’s Professional Practices Group.

Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com

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As signs of market stabilization emerge, companies are reassessing their deal strategies for 2026. In this episode, we explore IPO and M&A trends, the influence of AI and macroeconomic shifts, and the steps finance teams can take now to be ready for what’s next.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 3:35 – Where the deals market stands today
• 9:38 – Deals outlook for 2026
• 17:35 – Expected IPOs and financing trends for 2026
• 25:28 – What finance leaders and teams can do now to prepare

For more read our publications, US Capital Markets 2026 Outlook—IPO markets look primed to accelerate in 2026 and The next wave of M&A: Bigger and bolder deals driven by AI and private equity—US Deals 2026 outlook. Also, be sure to follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.

About our guest

Mike Bellin is a PwC Deals partner who leads PwC’s US Capital Markets practice. Mike advises clients on accessing the debt and equity capital markets by providing clients with technical/project management advice on complex accounting and financial reporting issues associated with the SEC registration process, IPOs, direct listings, SPAC mergers, 144A debt and equity offerings, divestitures, spinoffs and carve-outs, and GAAP conversions.

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. 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

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