Off the Books

Camping season is upon us! The crew asks Kelly Davis, Director of Research for the Outdoor Industry Association, how she works with the office of finance and what outdoor trends she’s seeing. Then Steve and Catherine sneak in questions about skiing, and it’s all downhill from there. Listen in:

ESG Talk’s Mandi McReynolds joins Off the Books to give an ESG director’s point of view on the SEC’s climate disclosure proposal, while Steve offers the perspective of an SEC reporting director. Will they see eye to eye? Will Catherine have to give them a timeout? Will the Workiva podiverse ever be the same? Tune in:

Mike pits Catherine and Steve up against fan favorite The Shawshank Redemption. Does this Stephen King adaptation count as an accounting movie? Does its beloved reputation make sense? Is there ever such thing as TOO much Morgan Freeman narration? Tune in for the answers to all of the questions and more!

Wouldn't it be nice if crypto accounting were less ... cryptic? FASB, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, has finally said it will think about setting rules around accounting for certain digital assets like bitcoin. Ben Taylor of SoftLedger, whose accounting software can help automate cryptocurrency transactions, breaks it all down. Listen in.

The first part of season 3 is in the books (errr, off the books?), and it’s time to listen back to our deep conversations about career paths, what to disclose, and even the best accounting movies before we head out for spring break. Plus, a teaser for the new podcast from Mandi McReynolds!

As companies work to protect employees in Ukraine, they’re also making related adjustments in accounting and risk management. This week, Steve and Catherine are joined by Mike Ruble, an audit partner at PwC, to dig into issues from asset impairment to materiality to the risk of nationalization.

Kevin O’Leary of “Shark Tank” fame recently spoke about ESG investing, so Catherine decided to make Steve share his unfiltered reactions to what Mr. Wonderful said.

The office loudmouth isn’t the only one swearing at work. A few executives have let an expletive—or eight—fly in public, according to transcripts analyzed by the AI-powered financial search engine Sentieo. Nick Mazing returns to give us the real shi—er, scoop.

Researchers say audit experience can influence a chief financial officer’s behavior—but not forever. Returning guest Josh Gertsch has worked with CFOs in a variety of ways and unleashes his expertise on the topic. Listen in:

Mike Whitmire wasn’t even a decade out from graduating with an accounting degree when he co-founded FloQast, a software company created by accountants for accountants in 2013. Mike shares how he became CEO of a startup, how he keeps blazing his own path, and why he wanted to make a web series for accountants.

It’s a takeover! Off the Books producer Mike Gravagno takes the microphone, yo (see what we did there), and we’ll never be the same. It’s an episode unlike any other. Check it out.

How does someone go from earning an accounting degree to becoming a securities lawyer? Catherine and Steve are joined by Alan J. Wilson, JD, CPA, of the law firm WilmerHale to discover what led him down a career path where law and accounting intersect—and what secrets are hidden in such an intersection!

Podcast recidivist Nick Mazing of Sentieo returns for a look at trends in Q4 2021 earnings calls and earnings releases! Catherine, Steve, and Nick discuss what public companies are saying about Ukraine, inflation, and the disease that shall not be named. Plus, what’s the most-searched item on Valentine’s Day?

Moves are under way in the investment universe to help individual shareholders take back the vote! Will that change how CEOs and boards act? Tune in as we wade into the waters of corporate civics with David Webber, author of "The Rise of the Working-Class Shareholder: Labor's Last Best Weapon."

Black accountants are underrepresented in the profession, which matters as companies look at candidates to promote on the path to CFO. Levongia Carrera of Airbnb shares what can help Black executives feel more supported.

Podcast recidivist Nick Mazing returns to break down 10-Ks, CEO letters, the historical approach to accounting, and the non-traditional sources of information that offer hints of how investors truly value a company—even when that company’s voice is cracking and it isn’t always sure what it wants to be when it grows up.

A few private companies that drew big headlines and even bigger valuations have imploded, taking investors’ cash down with them. Should we require private companies to tell us more? Is that like forcing teens to post on social media when they’re still in their sloppy, angst-filled years? Nemit Shroff shares his thoughts.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is taking a closer look at rules for special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs—the blank check firms that have drawn celebrity endorsements from the likes of Shaq, Serena Williams, and A-Rod. Michael Coke of the law firm Wilson Sonsini joins Off the Books to break it all down!

The hosts talk to Brandon Ziegler, chief legal officer at Workiva, about insider trading and how executives might get themselves in trouble, even when they have 10b5-1 plans that are meant to help them steer clear of it.

To kick off Season 3, Steve and Catherine are joined by Matt Kelly of "Radical Compliance," the blog devoted to corporate compliance, audit, and risk management issues. Matt picks through clues in the latest State of the SOX/Internal Controls Market Report to decipher how SOX compliance teams fared through the pandemic.

On this special bonus episode, returning guest Nick Mazing of Sentieo joins Steve Soter and new co-host Catherine Tsai to share nuggets from companies’ Q3 earnings disclosures. They talk supply chain issues, housing markets, inflation, flies in Chardonnay, and so much more! We’ll be back in 2022 with season 3!

The hosts talk to author Erica Dhawan about her latest book, "Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance," and share practical advice on how companies and teams can build cultures that thrive, even from a distance.

Nick Renkoski and Steve Soter are joined by Nick Mazing of Sentieo and Nancy Mentesana of the Argyle Company to discuss Workiva’s new Marketplace and its benefits.

Nick Renkoski, Steve Soter and Penny Ashley-Lawrence complete their discussion of the challenges of women in finance and what can be done.

Nick Renkoski and Steve Soter are joined by Penny Ashley-Lawrence to discuss workplace issues that affect women and what everyone can do to make the world of finance more fair.

Schools out! Season two is wrapped up and Nick and Steve are grabbing their surfboards and hitting the waves. We’ll be back soon with more on the latest from the financial waves.

We’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more accounting memes! This time, Steve Soter plays quizmaster and tests the accounting knowledge of Nick Renkoski—who is not an accountant. The results are revealing in more ways than one.

Off the Books stays on top of the emerging world of bitcoin this week by speaking with Steve Soter and Ben Taylor, co-founder and CEO of SoftLedger, an accounting software provider that specializes in cryptocurrency.

Nick Mazing of Sentieo joins Nick Renkoski and Steve Soter to cover the biggest financial news of the first part of the year. SPACs! ESG! Crocs! Oh, my!

Bob Hirth of Protiviti concludes our conversation about ESG reporting, making the case that finance teams would do well to be an early adopter and not a laggard.

Nick Renkoski and Steve Soter are joined by Bob Hirth, Senior Managing Director at Protiviti, and an ESG proponent to discuss his career, the state of ESG, and why businesses should get on board.

Steve Soter, April Brady, and Josh Gertsch are back to finish their lesson for upcoming accounting professionals; the good, the bad, and the stuff no one will tell you. Listen up—don’t worry, there won’t be a test.

With graduation day coming up, Off the Books answers some listener mail about advice for upcoming accounting professionals. Steve Soter, April Brady, and Josh Gertsch drop some knowledge on recent grads. Listen up, class.

Adam Roundy from Hallows & Company in Salina, Utah (population 2,500) join Drew Deubner, Steve Soter, and Nick Renkoski to explain how connectivity allows firms to think big even in small towns, allowing you to do meaningful work wherever you want to be.

Never heard of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)? Well, it likely won’t be long before your finance team will be required to report on it. Smart teams are already starting. Darcie Brossart joins Drew Deubner and Steve Soter to discuss what to look out for.

Author Mel Robbins recently spoke to Workiva about her 5-second rule for productivity and creativity. Joel Capperella, who spoke with Mel, join Nick Renkoski and Steve Soter to discuss what Mel’s message means for finance professionals.

Drew, Nick, and Steve are joined by Nick Mazing of Senteo to discuss what has already taken place this year and what it means for the rest of this unprecedented time. From Game Stop to SPACs, we’ve got you covered.

You asked and we answered! Today we look at a piece of listener mail to learn a little bit more about mergers and acquisitions with the conclusion of our conversation with Erik Elfrink of KPMG.

You asked and we answered! Today we look at a piece of listener mail to learn a little bit more about mergers and acquisitions with Erik Elfrink of KPMG.

Meet Nick! He’s taking the reins from Drew while he’s out for a bit. He’s nice and is into hot sauce. You’ll like him.

Today we’re playing a high stakes game of follow the leader, talking with experts from Deloitte about what makes a good financial leader, how that need has changed, and a little bit about how to be liked along the way. Play on!

Hot diggity! It’s the second half of our conversation about SPACs. Join Steve, Drew, Josh Gertsch, and Caleb Cannon as they continue unpacking SPACs and where they’re headed in the future. Tune in!

Great Scott! Will SPACs be the IPO of the 21st Century? Will going public ever be the same? How many pairs of Crocs can Steve cram in his closet? Join Steve, Drew, Josh Gertsch, and Caleb Cannon as they find those answers via 1.21 gigawatts of podcast power. Tune in!

Today, we’re checking the OTB Mailbox. Drew and Steve help a listener understand what in the Sam Hill is going on with GameStop, what the SEC will do next, and learn why the muffaletta is nature’s perfect sandwich. Tune in!

So, banks tried this new accounting standard, and then COVID blew the whole thing to hell. And the related, but kinda-not-related, CARES Act didn’t help things either. It’s a doozy. Heather Markheim and Chris Albela untangle the whole mess for Drew and Steve. Tune in!

So, banks got ready for this new accounting standard, and then COVID blew the whole thing to hell. And the related, but kinda-not-related, CARES Act didn’t help things either. It’s a doozy. Heather Markheim and Chris Albela untangle the whole mess for Drew and Steve. Tune in!

We love listener mail! Steve and Josh explain what busy season is, Drew breaks up their incessant bickering, and somehow snowboarding is involved. Tune in!

In the back half of our two-part conversation, Dom Fatibene and Ernest Anunciacion wax nostalgic about their travels with CAS and how it’s shaped their careers. Let’s go! Tune in now!

Take a moment of silence for General Electric’s corporate audit staff training program. Two former participants say goodbye to the Navy Seals of audit, and offer useful tips for practitioners. Drew offers Kleenex to wipe their tears. Tune in!

Drew is not an accountant, which means he doesn’t understand the accounting memes that make the internet LOL out loud. Steve uses the force and breaks ‘em down. This one's blowin' up like the Death Star. Tune in!