PwC's accounting podcast

We’re continuing our refresher series on consolidation accounting. In this episode, learn how to determine which party, if any, should consolidate a variable interest entity (VIE). We explore key considerations for identifying a VIE’s primary beneficiary, including assessing power over the entity’s most significant activities, evaluating economic exposure, and considering related-party interests.
This episode is part of our new Back to basics series, where throughout the year, we’ll revisit core accounting topics. It is the third of four episodes on consolidation. In our first episode, Back to basics: Consolidation—Getting started, we laid the foundation for consolidation accounting. In the second episode, Back to basics: Consolidation-Identifying a VIE, we took a deeper look at how to determine whether an entity is a VIE. Stay tuned for our fourth and final episode on consolidation presentation and disclosure considerations.
Looking for more guidance on consolidation accounting? See PwC’s Consolidation guide. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.
About our guests
Matt Sabatini is a deputy chief accountant in PwC's National Office who helps clients and engagement teams navigate the accounting and financial reporting for complex transactions. He specializes in the accounting for M&A, consolidations, corporate reorganizations, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and other investments.
Alexander Martin is a partner in PwC's Deals practice with over a decade of deals experience, helping clients solve complex accounting, financial reporting, and other business issues that arise from transaction-driven events such as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and capital raises. 
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.

Get a refresher on consolidation accounting with a deeper look at how to determine whether an entity is a variable interest entity (VIE). We cover key considerations, including understanding the entity’s purpose and design, identifying variable interests and equity at risk, and evaluating the characteristics used to determine whether an entity is a VIE.
This episode is part of our new Back to basics series, where throughout the year, we’ll revisit core accounting topics. It is the second of four episodes on consolidation. In our first episode, Back to basics: Consolidation—Getting started, we laid the foundation for consolidation accounting. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes covering how to determine which party, if any, should consolidate a VIE, followed by an episode on presentation and disclosure considerations.
Looking for more guidance on consolidation accounting? See PwC’s Consolidation guide. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.
About our guests
Matt Sabatini is a deputy chief accountant in PwC's National Office who helps clients and engagement teams navigate the accounting and financial reporting for complex transactions. He specializes in the accounting for M&A, consolidations, corporate reorganizations, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and other investments.
Alexander Martin is a partner in PwC's Deals practice with over a decade of deals experience, helping clients solve complex accounting, financial reporting, and other business issues that arise from transaction-driven events such as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and capital raises. 
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.

Get a refresher on consolidation accounting, including an overview of the consolidation framework, the variable interest entity (VIE) and voting interest entity (VOE) models, and key scope considerations. This episode is part of our new Back to Basics series that revisits core accounting topics.
This episode lays the foundation for our next three Back to basics episodes on consolidation. We’ll take a deeper look at identifying a VIE, determining which party, if any, should consolidate it, and consolidation presentation and disclosure. Stay tuned as the remaining episodes are released over the next two weeks.
Looking for more guidance on consolidation accounting? See PwC’s Consolidation guide. Additionally, follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.
About our guests
Matt Sabatini is a deputy chief accountant in PwC's National Office who helps clients and engagement teams navigate the accounting and financial reporting for complex transactions. He specializes in the accounting for M&A, consolidations, corporate reorganizations, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and other investments.
Alexander Martin is a partner in PwC's Deals practice with over a decade of deals experience, helping clients solve complex accounting, financial reporting, and other business issues that arise from transaction-driven events such as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and capital raises.
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.

Environmental credits accounting is changing with the introduction of ASC 818 (created by ASU 2026-02). New FASB guidance establishes a consistent accounting model for environmental credits and related obligations, addressing recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure. This episode explores key aspects of the new standard, including the intent-based recognition model, accounting for voluntary versus compliance credits, environmental credit obligations, and considerations for adoption.
For more, see our publication Environmental credits accounting: FASB issues new standard and chapter 7 of PwC’s Property, plant, equipment and other assets guide.
Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.
About our guests
Michael Pratt is a partner in PwC's National Office, working on sustainability methodology and thought leadership. His background is in the power and utility sector where he works with companies helping to shape the evolution of how we produce and consume energy. He continues to focus on emerging power and utility sector accounting questions and issues.
Logan Redlin is a director in PwC’s National Office where he focuses on thought leadership strategy and content development related to accounting and financial reporting, sustainability reporting, and standard setting. Prior to this role, Logan spent 15 years in the audit practice, serving both public and private companies with a primary focus on asset management and real estate.
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.
Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

GHG Protocol updates are reshaping the outlook for GHG reporting, including a move toward a consolidated corporate standard, with an exposure draft expected in 2027 and a final standard planned for 2028. This episode covers the updated roadmap and developments related to scope 2, scope 3, book-and-claim market instruments, the Land Sector and Removals Standard, and California SB 253, as well as steps companies can take now as these requirements and proposals continue to evolve.
For more on GHG emissions reporting, see chapter 7 of our Sustainability reporting guide and the GHG Protocol’s GHG Protocol Corporate Suite of Standards and Guidance Update Process for the latest proposals and working group materials. For more information on California’s SB 253, see our publication, California SB 253—CARB rulemaking for 2027 and beyond.
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.
About our guest
Colin Powell is PwC Canada’s Technical Net Zero Leader. His work focuses on GHG quantification, life cycle assessment across many impact categories, GHG target setting, and developing decarbonization strategies. He has supported companies in quantifying over 1 billion tonnes of GHG emissions and worked previously as a consultant supporting global clients to understand their GHG emissions and how they can decarbonize. Colin sits on the GHG Protocol’s Scope 3 Technical Working Group, helping to shape the revision of the global standards used to account for GHG emissions. Colin is also a Professional Engineer (Ontario) and holds 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. 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.