Off the Books

Arthy Kumar, Workiva Industry Principal for Investments and Financial Services, stops by to answer producer Mike’s questions about the SEC! What’s the deal with the SEC private fund regulations? How is it changing the private fund industry? What’s the SEC approval process for naming funds? Find out:

When Thermon Inc. Vice President and Corporate Controller Greg Lucas plotted his course for becoming a CFO, controller, or finance leader, he thought about it from the perspective of a hiring manager.“I wanted to almost take away every excuse that a hiring manager would have not to hire me,” he quipped.Steve and Catherine asked Greg to share his list of six things hiring managers look for when filling accounting and finance roles. Listen in!

Nick Mazing of AlphaSense returns to talk about surprise appearances in companies’ earnings calls and disclosures this fall. Diet drugs, for one! Steve and Catherine ask what other trends Nick is seeing. Listen in!

Steve and Catherine ask Workiva General Counsel Brandon Ziegler how he would handle a cybersecurity incident. How would he assess if the incident is material and needs to be disclosed? Listen now.

Mike Nordtvedt, partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and unofficial Off the Books co-host Josh Gertsch stopped by the studio at the Workiva Amplify conference to dish about the state of capital markets and what companies can do to get ready to go public. Listen in.

Off the Books set up a studio in the middle of the action at the Workiva Amplify conference and interviewed accounting, finance, ESG, and GRC leaders like you. Hear from:Rachael Staab, ESGTiffany Leiva, internal auditMaria Siglin, internal auditJonathan Gregory, accounting and financeJeffrey Pullen, accounting and financeAna Sheikh, ESGWe asked them about their careers, what they’re looking for in the year ahead, and how to get the most out of conferences like Amplify. Listen in!

Show notes:Read more from Nicola and Bloomberg on the soaring IPO and SPAC markets that ensnared two audit firms.

Show notes:Join the SEC Professionals Group to attend events like the one featuring Emily. Membership is free and open to people who are members of financial reporting teams, even if your organization is not a public company. Learn more.Follow Off the Books to catch all upcoming episodes.

View select sessions from Workiva Amplify 2023 on demand. Sign up for the virtual conference to gain access.Learn more about Amplify Asia Pacific and Amplify EMEA.If you’re in the Americas, watch this space for more information about how to join us at Workiva Amplify 2024 in Denver.

Show notes:Read the paper David co-authored for more details of how Uniper used ChatGPT for internal audit tasksHear more about generative AI for accounting, finance, risk, audit, and ESG professionals at Amplify

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.

Show notes:If you’re looking for stories from internal audit heroes, Grant recommends Extraordinary Circumstances: The Journey of a Corporate Whistleblower, the book from former WorldCom Chief Audit Executive Cynthia Cooper.Cynthia Cooper will be speaking at the SOX Professionals Group Summit in September. Register for the SOX Professionals Group to get the details as they are released. Membership is free.If you liked this episode, you can help us out by subscribing to Off the Books! Hit the “subscribe” button on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. Find every episode of Off the Books at workiva.com/off-the-books-podcast

Join us for Amplify Nashville this September 19-21 and connect with some of the brightest minds around. Register now: https://www.workiva.com/amplify.To learn more about Robert Coplan and his work check out robertcoplan.com. And you can get his books here:The Handbook of Solitude: Psychological Perspectives on Social Isolation, Social Withdrawal, and Being Alone, 2nd EditionQuiet at SchoolThe Development of Shyness and Social Withdrawal

Show notes:Ask Steve Soter and Mark Mellen your own questions in person at Amplify. Register now.Subscribe to Off the Books! Hit the “subscribe” button on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. Find every episode of Off the Books at workiva.com/off-the-books-podcast

Show notes:For a quick look at what’s in the proposed SEC climate disclosure rule and how to prepare for it, check out this infographic.Subscribe to Off the Books! Hit the “subscribe” button on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. Find every episode of Off the Books at workiva.com/off-the-books-podcast

Show notes:Here’s the survey Steve mentioned that shows executives proactively planning to comply with proposed climate-related disclosure rules.See what else Josh has said about turning uncertainty into opportunities for CFOs and controllers.You can hear more from Josh at Amplify, Workiva’s annual conference, where he will speak about building a resilient accounting team.Subscribe and listen to all the episodes of Off the Books at workiva.com/off-the-books-podcast.

Show notes:Michelle Leder is the author of the book Financial Fine Print: Uncovering a Company’s True Value. She also runs footnoted* and the site’s subscription newsletter, Friday Night Dump, where she uncovers juicy tidbits within SEC filings. Her free newsletter is available via LinkedIn.Find all episodes of Off the Books at workiva.com/off-the-books-podcast

Show notes:Review which movies the crew originally considered when producer Mike Gravagno asked them to find the best accounting movie.Tell us what they got right and wrong about the movies they’ve debated so far:The Shawshank RedemptionGhostbustersMoonstruckThe UntouchablesEverything Everywhere All at OnceFind all episodes of Off the Books at workiva.com/off-the-books-podcast

Show notes:Financial reporting professionals for private, public, nonprofit, or government organizations can join the SEC Professionals Group (it’s free!) to catch all of David’s comments from the Pro Group Q1 meeting.Find all episodes of Off the Books at workiva.com/off-the-books-podcast

Show notes:As Mary mentioned in this episode, her office hours at Bread and Butter Ventures are open to anyone. Learn more.Find all episodes of Off the Books at workiva.com/off-the-books-podcast

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!

Show Notes:The draft of the Global Internal Audit Standards is now available for public comment through May 30, 2023Check out the IIA’s yearly report, the Pulse of Internal Audit, which provides insights about internal audit budgets, staff, audit plans, risks, and moreGet more internal audit tips and takeaways for 2023

Show Notes:The Netflix docuseries Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street was directed by Joe Berlinger.Jim Campbell is the author of Madoff Talks: Uncovering the Untold Story Behind the Most Notorious Ponzi Scheme in History and was co-executive producer of Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street. He is also assistant news director at WCGH-AM.Ali Levin, a co-producer of Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street, is also a comedian, impressionist, actor, writer, singer, and film producer.

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.

Show notes:Review which movies the crew originally considered when producer Mike Gravagno asked them to find the best accounting movie.Tell us what they got right and wrong about the movies they’ve debated so far:The Shawshank RedemptionGhostbustersMoonstruckThe Untouchables

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!

Read some of the latest news from Robert Half on hiring trends in accounting and finance and more:Employment trends and demand for skilled talentSalary guide for finance and accountingSurvey: Nearly half of U.S. workers plan to look for a new position in the new year

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.

Learn more about the ESG Professionals Group, and join for free.

Review which movies the crew originally considered when Mike Gravagno asked them to find the best accounting movie.Tell us what they got right and wrong about the movies they’ve debated so far:The Shawshank RedemptionGhostbustersMoonstruck

Show notes:Read the study mentioned in this episode. The study was written by Alexander Dyck, Adair Morse, and Luigi Zingales and was mentioned in the January 14, 2023, edition of DealBook.

For more of what Curt Steinhorst said about how leaders build trust and spark organizational confidence, watch his webinar on demand.Let us know what trends you’re seeing in your workplace. Take the 2023 workplace trends survey before February 28, 2023, for a chance to win a fitness mirror.

Kelly Davis of Outdoor Industry Association returns! The podcast crew interrupts Kelly’s time with her dogs to ask how market researchers can be a financial planning and analysis (FP&A) team’s best friend.

Would you stick around an extra year for $50,000? Shashank Aurora, Chief Financial Officer of Des Moines Public Schools, takes us behind the scenes of the school district’s offer to get retiring teachers to stay one more year.

We’re celebrating 100 episodes of Off the Books! Hear how it all started, and relive some of the best clips of the accounting podcast you know and love.

Catch a glimpse of the memes along with Mike and Catherine over on YouTube!

How is raising capital for a startup like having a pool party? Rich Maloy of SpringTime Ventures (and host of the VC Minute podcast) swings by Off the Books to make a splash! Watch now.

Part 2 of the conversation with Nicola White of Bloomberg and Alan Wilson of the law firm WilmerHale! Last week there were so many insights on the SEC, FASB, and crypto accounting that we had to keep the convo going. Catch the rest of the chat now.

Is it hot in here, or is it just the FASB? Nicola White of Bloomberg and Alan Wilson, CPA and securities attorney from WilmerHale, swing by to discuss the backstory and ramifications on a move to protect the Financial Standards Accounting Board from political interference—and get it to act a wee bit faster. Learn more.

YouTubers, drop a comment on what the crew got right and wrong:Want more movie episodes? Check them out here: The Super-Duper Best Accounting Movies of All Time: https://youtu.be/c_6GZnu3-gs Off the Books vs. The Shawshank Redemption: https://youtu.be/5WMPeAP-SSI Off the Books vs. Ghostbusters: https://youtu.be/GVNc9EREnnw

Here’s the attorney generals letter to BlackRock: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/executive-management/BlackRock%20Letter.pdfHere’s a response from BlackRock: https://thetexan.news/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/BlackRock-Response-to-AGs-09062022_Final.pdfAnd this is what the New York City Comptroller sent BlackRock: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/comptroller-lander-sends-letter-to-blackrock-ceo-larry-fink-demanding-stronger-action-toward-net-zero-emissions-reduction-across-portfolio/Hear the Off the Books crew chatter on other accounting topics: https://www.workiva.com/off-the-books-podcast

On this between-seasons bonus episode, ESG Talk’s Mandi McReynolds joins Steve and Catherine to recap Workiva Amplify, the annual conference for ESG, finance, and risk folks. Hear how Amplify 2022 went all in on the bold future of transparency, plus listen to a clip from two keynote speakers: professional rock climbers Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell!

A proposal to tax companies based on book income instead of their tax income was tucked into the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and that sure got Steve Soter and Josh Gertsch talking. Catherine soaks in why it’s such a big deal for accounting teams.

After a couple of years off, are you ready to mix and mingle at in-person industry events? 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 conferences like Workiva Amplify this fall.

Recent headlines motivated Steve and Catherine to think about considerations organizations have when revealing not-so-great news. Brandon Ziegler returns to field their serious (and not-so-serious) questions about SEC investigations, disclosures, and more!

Mike Coke of Wilson Sonsini returns! This time Mike’s here to break down the state of capital markets and the SEC’s proposed rule around SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies)—plus new rules for everyday life.

It's not often that an audit firm walks away from a client, but there's always a story when it happens. Mike Disabato, host of the MSCI podcast ESG Now, breaks down auditor resignations with the Off the Books crew. Tune in:

If there’s something strange on your movie screen, who you gonna call? Off the Books! It’s time for another edition of the accounting movie bracket. Mike pits Catherine and Steve against the OG Ghostbusters! Does the film show the EPA as unfairly evil? How does it handle relationships? Is it even an accounting movie!?

Off the Books takes on the news! The Securities and Exchange Commission has received thousands of comments on its climate risk disclosure proposal. Catherine and Steve break down what stands out from the feedback on the proposed SEC climate disclosure rule. Tune in: