What happens when an audit firm runs into trouble with the PCAOB and SEC over its work with SPACs? Bloomberg reporter Nicola White joins Steve and Catherine to break down how they got in trouble and what’s next. Listen in!

What’s the deal with climate disclosures? Emily Pierce, Associate General Counsel at Persefoni, spent a decade with the Securities and Exchange Commission. So Steve and Catherine wanted to see what she had to say about why climate is making its way into financial reports.

In this jam-packed crossover episode of ESG Talk and Off the Books, Catherine Tsai sits down with Mandi McReynolds and Steve Soter to discuss the hot topics of Workiva Amplify 2023. We also ask attendees about ESG, audit, risk, financial reporting, generative AI, and more! Listen in:

Steve and Catherine ask BYU Accounting Professor David Wood how internal auditors are experimenting with generative AI and how AI is showing up in the classroom.

In this bonus episode of Off the Books, Catherine and Steve host Alan Wilson of the law firm WilmerHale to think through how companies will comply with the SEC’s final rule on cybersecurity disclosures.

Internal audit gurus Charles Calovich and Grant Ostler discuss highlights from the IIA International Conference. Tune in as they touch on the intersection of psychology and audits, soft skills, the changing role of auditors, and more!

Just in time for fall conference season, we have a very special encore episode coming your way! Robert Coplan, Developmental Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Carleton University, offers tips on how to ease back into real life gatherings so you can get the most out of events like Workiva Amplify this fall.

Off the Books producer Mike Gravagno gets a chance to ask Steve Soter and Mark Mellen some burning questions about ESG, the SEC, CSRD, and more. Listen in!

Off the Books producer Mike Gravagno is a podcast guru and not afraid of asking questions. So he’s taking his chance to ask Steve Soter and Mark Mellen what’s up with the proposed SEC climate disclosure rule, how cybersecurity relates to ESG, and so much more! Listen and learn with us.

Finance leaders have a few concerns, including one that could pose problems if more people don’t study accounting. Josh Gertsch tells Steve and Catherine how some CFOs are trying to build business resilience amid uncertainty. Catch the full episode.

Michelle Leder of footnoted* shares some juicy tidbits from SEC filings, including proxy statements. Catch the full episode.

What represents accounting more than a Ben Affleck action thriller?! OTB Producer Mike Gravagno joins Steve and Catherine to explore this 2016 “transaction” movie and determine whether it deserves a shot at the title of Best Accounting Movie. Tune in.

Steve and Catherine dig into what former SEC Regional Director David Peavler, now a partner at Jones Day, said at a national SEC Professionals Group meeting. Think you’ll agree with their takes? Tune in to find out.

How can we expand access to capital? Venture capitalist Mary Grove, formerly of Google, talks about supporting startup founders who don’t fit the mold. She also shares why capital will move in 2023 and the best question she got during one of her office hours.

Jonathan Johnson, who became CEO of Overstock after founder Patrick Byrne resigned, chats with Catherine and Steve about the “G” in ESG, cryptocurrency, and setting the tone from the top. During his career at Overstock and elsewhere, Jonathan has served as a general counsel and CFO, giving him an appreciation for strong corporate governance. Tune in!

Great audit minds gathered at the eye-opening 2023 IIA GAM conference. Ruth Nouanesengsy and Grant Ostler join the OTB crew to share what they heard throughout sessions and in conversation with their peers. This episode covers a lot, including ChatGPT, audit analytics, cybersecurity, and the IPPF evolution. Tune in!

Bernie Madoff died not long into his 150-year sentence for securities fraud, but he’s still drawing attention. Steve and Catherine dig into the Netflix series Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street with Ali Levin and Jim Campbell, two of the people behind the docuseries.

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the ripple effects have left us with so many questions. Catherine and Steve sit down with former auditors Ernest Anunciacion and Josh Gertsch to try to answer them all. Let’s dive in.

Audits + the Academy Awards + multiversal mayhem?! Does the OTB crew have what it takes to break down best picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once and decide whether it counts as an accounting movie? Former host Nick Renkoski returns to hop dimensions and help the discussion! Dive in.

Catherine and Steve sat down with Jonathan Gregory, North America Controller for The Hershey Co., to discuss how he ended up with what has to be one of the sweetest accounting and finance jobs in Pennsylvania. Sink your teeth into this episode.

Nick Mazing of AlphaSense is back to cover a whirlwind of info related to Q4 2022 earnings. The crew covers what companies are saying about crypto, interest, inflation, and more hot topics in their annual reports. Plus, we asked ChatGPT to come up with our closing question of the day. What could go wrong? Listen in!

With whispers of “recession” and of ChatGPT taking over our jobs, what is the hiring outlook for accounting and finance professionals? Steve and Catherine ask Steve Saah of Robert Half about hiring trends, what bosses can do to hold on to top talent, and what job seekers should keep in mind.

This 2022 episode is too relevant not to re-air this year. Black accountants are underrepresented in the profession, which matters as companies look at candidates to promote to CFO. Levongia Carrera shares what can help Black executives feel more supported in the workplace.

Got questions about environmental, social, and governance (ESG)? You're not alone! Financial reporting pros are joining a new ESG community. Lauren Uyeno and Mark Mellen of the ESG Professionals Group explain how the group started and why financial reporting leaders, auditors, and others are joining.

Kevin Costner. Robert De Niro. Sean Connery. Brian De Palma. David Mamet. The Untouchables has an impressive pedigree, but the OTB crew debates whether they made a horrible mistake in keeping The Untouchables in the running for best accounting movie.