Strategy & operations

Find recent insights and solutions related to strategy and operations

10Minutes on the Self-Made Billionaire Effect

1/13/15 | Advisory services

Authors John Sviokla and Mitch Cohen identify five habits of mind that allow self-made billionaires to create value on a massive scale—habits that are in direct conflict with the traits and practices most businesses value and promote in their employees. Read more

Getting it right with growth: How to be a great CFO in the new growth economy

12/5/14 | Advisory services

• Webcast

  2015 ACA Reporting Requirements, Challenges and Solutions Webcast - February 4, 2015
  

  Human resource services

  Please join PwC and Equifax Workforce Solutions on February 4th for a webcast discussing many the complexities of the ACA reporting requirements regarding "affordable healthcare" for "full time employees." We will discuss new IRS Forms 1095-C and 1094-C, key technical and data integrity issues that employers will need to address, and the unique value proposition of our collaborative end-to-end solution.

• Manufacturing Barometer - January 2015
  

  1/23/15 | Industrial products

  Business outlook improved notably among US industrial manufacturers during the fourth quarter of 2014.

• A new normal in consumer debt collections and recoveries - Focusing on compliance while delivering results
  

  1/23/15 | Consumer finance

  Regulatory developments are expected to accelerate the need for regulatory-driven changes in collection functions. Click here to learn how these changes may affect your organization.

• Leading in extraordinary times, the 2015 US CEO Survey
  

  1/22/15

  Learn how US CEOs are positioning for a new era where overseas business growth is balanced more evenly between developed and emerging economies, and mainstream adoption of digital technologies everywhere is surging.

• Webcast

  Significant Others - Risks and Rewards of Third Party Business Relationships - February 3, 2015
  

  Risk Assurance

  Join PwC and a panel of industry guests for a webcast discussion on what organizations can be doing to enhance their Third Party Risk Management program governance, monitoring and compliance benefits.

• Webcast

  Pave the way: Build a value driven SAP roadmap - January 29, 2015
  

  Risk Assurance

  We invite you to join PwC for our latest SAP GRC webcast on Thursday, January 29th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm (ET) to hear about leading practices in building a business case and a roadmap for your GRC program and technologies.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on the Self-Made Billionaire Effect
  

  1/13/15 | Advisory services

  Authors John Sviokla and Mitch Cohen identify five habits of mind that allow self-made billionaires to create value on a massive scale—habits that are in direct conflict with the traits and practices most businesses value and promote in their employees.

• IT alternatives: Cloud computing (Observations from the front lines)
  

  1/7/15 | US Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services

  The benefits of cloud computing can be substantial, but companies should consider possible implications to reporting and balance sheet metrics.

• CFOs on the Move: Week ending December 22, 2014
  

  12/22/14

  Stay current on the career moves of your fellow financial professionals in companies across the U.S.

• Insights: PwC study on estimating stock compensation volatility
  

  12/16/14 | Human resource services

  Describes findings of a recent stock compensation volatility study and implications for developing valuation estimates.

• Shale gas is boosting US manufacturing
  

  12/15/14 | Industrial products

  US shale gas development continues to mature rapidly. Its momentous growth is not only altering the country’s energy mix, and impacting global energy markets. It’s also giving US manufacturing a boost through significant cost savings and job creation, according to a PwC analysis.

• Business Recovery Services industry insights – Retail
  

  12/10/14 | Transaction services

  For many companies in the retail industry—a sector of the U.S. economy already facing significant uncertainty and growing distress—the holiday shopping season is causing anxiety.

• Year-end employee benefits and compensation planning ideas
  

  12/10/14 | Human resource services

  Employers and employees must make decisions on certain employee benefits issues by December 31.

• Cross-sector valuation: What entertainment, media & communications companies should consider when acquiring tech targets
  

  12/10/14 | Advisory services

  As entertainment, media & communications (EMC) companies continue transforming themselves through technology-focused acquisitions, unique valuation issues can challenge deal success.

• 2014 IPOs Raise Highest Proceeds Since 2000, According to PwC’s Deals Practice
  

  12/9/14 | Transaction services

  Throughout 2014, the U.S. IPO market put in its strongest performance since 2000, as a broad range of companies took advantage of strong equity markets and an accommodative financing environment to raise capital, according to IPO Watch, a quarterly survey by PwC US.

• Are you prepared to protect your brand? Enhance your product recall process
  

  12/9/14 | Risk Assurance

  Recalls can have a devastating impact on the operations and brands of retail and consumer companies. But companies that manage the recall process effectively can transform a potential crisis into a business advantage.

• Software measurement study
  

  12/9/14 | Technology

  The performance of software development teams is an area of high interest for Technology executives—especially with the increasing impact of software on the usability and functionality of high-tech products. PwC’s Software Measurement Study was designed to analyze the current state of measurement and practices in software development environments. The study compared measurement practices to industry leading practices to provide an assessment of software measurement.

• Getting it right with growth: How to be a great CFO in the new growth economy
  

  12/5/14 | Advisory services

  For the past decade, companies have had to contend with a series of large- scale macroeconomic disruptions, along with pressures on costs and earnings. Now, as the global economy recovers from the recession and cost and short-term earnings are not the sole focus, companies can turn their attention to the top line again.

• Video

  New consolidation standard - Financial services companies
  

  12/5/14 | Assurance services

  A new consolidation standard is imminent. Hear how it may impact financial services companies. PwC's Stephanie L. Stewart, Lee Vanderpool, and Craig Cooke discuss the proposal and potential implications.

• Video

  New consolidation standard
  

  12/5/14 | Assurance services

  A new consolidation standard is immeninent. How will it impact you? Hear PwC's Stephanie L. Stewart, Lee Vanderpool, and Craig Cooke discuss the proposal and potential implications.

• In the loop

  In the loop: Pushdown accounting: make the right choice for your company
  

  12/2/14 | Assurance services

  Pushdown accounting is now optional – which approach is best for your company and investors?

• An ounce of prevention: Why financial institutions need automated testing
  

  11/26/14 | Financial Services Institute

  Need a reliable way to prevent costly—and potentially catastrophic—software errors? Try automating functional testing.

• Cyber-attacks on the rise: Are private companies doing enough to protect themselves?
  

  11/25/14 | Private Company Services

  Growing Your Business is a PwC series discussing the opportunities and challenges private companies face, suggesting ways they can make the most of both.

• Webcast

  PwC Deals Practice Initial Public Offerings: The Market, Non-GAAP Measures and Internal controls - January 21, 2015
  

  Transaction services

  Today’s IPO environment requires companies to stay on top of the latest updates and market conditions. Many companies are looking to support growth strategies, take advantage of new opportunities and proactively manage their capital structures. Accessing the capital markets in the form of a public offering – either through equity, debt or a spin off – requires a great deal of planning and preparation.

• Trendsetter Barometer™ Q3 2014 — Private companies report higher profitability and greater risk appetite as they head into year-end
  

  11/24/14 | Private Company Services

  In the quarter running up to the midterm election, private companies remained intent — if not bullish — on growth, felt good about the US economy, and signaled greater risk appetite. And decidedly more of them reported profitability increases than we’ve seen in quite some time. Even so, wage hikes and hiring remain modest at Trendsetter companies, and the world economy is giving them pause. Read our survey report to hear what else is on private companies' minds.

• How to implement workplace flexibility at financial institutions
  

  11/20/14 | Financial Services Institute

  The demand for flexibility in the workplace is rising. Find out how to implement flexibility at your financial institution.

• If you hold a C-Suite title then PwC invites you to participate in our annual State of the Internal Audit Profession and Risk in Review Survey
  

  11/20/14 | Risk Assurance

  Over the years, thanks to the input of thousands of executives from a number of sectors and territories, we have gained significant insight into how organizations are addressing the evolving risk landscape. The findings are published in both PwC's State of the Internal Audit Profession Study and our Risk in Review Study.

• Cure for the common culture: How to build a healthy risk culture
  

  11/19/14 | Financial Services Institute

  What does it take to build a sustainable risk-resistant culture? We surveyed global banking leaders to find out.

• Webcast

  Best practices for a successful lump sum buyout strategy and recent developments plan sponsors should consider webcast - November 18, 2014
  

  Human resource services

  In recent years Plan Sponsors of defined benefit pension plans have been focusing on de risking pension plans, including a strategy to provide a one-time lump sum buyout offer to former employees. We will share insights into the strategy Plan Sponsors utilized.

• Improving IT governance in financial services for higher value and lower risk
  

  11/14/14 | Financial Services Institute

  How you can turn your IT governance program from a compliance obligation to a business enabler? Read more to find out.

• M&A snapshot

  Companies in distress: Bankruptcy process and reporting consideration (M&A snapshot)
  

  11/13/14 | Assurance services

  Overview of the bankruptcy process and key financial reporting considerations in bankruptcy.

• Webcast

  The Latest in Compensation and Benefits Accounting - December 10, 2014
  

  Human resource services

  The accounting and reporting guidance around benefits and compensation continues to evolve. In an effort to keep you apprised of the on-going changes and updates, we are pleased to invite you to join us for our quarterly webcast series, designed for corporate financial reporting and HR executives. PwC specialists will provide their perspectives on emerging accounting, regulatory and market developments within the incentive compensation and employee benefits arena.

• Overcoming network logistic complexities in emerging markets
  

  11/12/14 | Advisory services

  When carrying out supply chain network modelling projects in emerging markets, there are a number of challenges to be considered and managed. This paper describes how a sample of these can be overcome.

• Webcast

  Choosing your next market for strategic growth webcast - November 21, 2014
  

  Transaction services

  Large multinational corporations (MNCs) have been competing from global platforms for some time. A newer dynamic is the growth of the Small MNC. Businesses which, just a few years back, were happy to compete in their “home” markets increasingly find that entry to new markets is not just a growth strategy, but actually necessary for their long-term survival. But how to access those markets without betting the house?. When is it the right time to expand to a new market? Where do we grow? How do we enter a new market? Who are the competitors? What risks do we face? These are common questions for any business looking to grow, and there's a way to approach market entry to ensure your company is best-positioned for success.

• Pension/OPEB 2014 assumption and disclosure survey
  

  11/11/14 | Human resource services

  PwC is pleased to share with you our Pension/OPEB 2014 Assumption and Disclosure Survey. This survey presents our analysis of the 2013 year-end assumptions and disclosures under ASC 715-20, ASC 715-30, and ASC 715-60.

• The CMO’s role in privacy: Are your marketing programs affecting your brand?
  

  11/10/14 | Risk Assurance

  Organizations often use customer information collected online to understand and effectively target consumers. This process requires not only the attention of the chief privacy officer, but also the chief marketing officer. Almost daily, news headlines underscore the importance of this with data breaches becoming commonplace. For consumers to provide complete and accurate information, they must know they can trust your organization.

• Rethinking media auditing and benchmarking pools
  

  11/10/14 | Risk Assurance

  Knowing how your advertising spend compares to that of your competitors is an important benchmark that allows you to save money; and using media auditing and benchmarking pools is the definitive way to do this. Or is it? It’s time to question the value of these pools.

• Present and functioning: Fine-tuning your ICFR using the COSO update
  

  11/7/14 | Risk Assurance

  With the COSO’s 1992 Control Framework being superseded by the 2013 updated edition on December 15, 2014, now is the time for companies to use the updated framework to evaluate the effectiveness of their systems of internal control over financial reporting. This paper talks through the updated framework and these competencies to evaluate the effectiveness of companies’ systems of internal control over financial reporting.

• Fortified for success - Building your company’s risk, controls and compliance ecosystem, for the IPO and beyond
  

  11/5/14 | Risk Assurance

  Going public is a transformational event that pushes a company into view of regulatory, investor, and analyst scrutiny. Companies that delay getting their risk management, compliance and compliance infrastructure in order until after the IPO may be jeopardizing their ability to reap the full benefits of going public. This paper lays out steps that will help companies establish a foundation and cover the company’s critical risks and controls, both pre-and-post IPO.

• North American power deals: Q3 2014 mergers & acquisitions report
  

  11/5/14 | Power & utilities

  12 deals valued at more than $50 million came in this quarter, consistent with the 12 quarterly deals a year ago. Total deal value and average deal value increased by 141% each as compared to Q3 2013.

• US retail and consumer deals insights: Q3 2014 update
  

  11/4/14 | Transaction services

  Eleven mega deals drove significant deal activity in Q3-2014, positioning the R&C deals market to outperform last year's strong performance. Retail sales and economic trends continue to improve, leading to higher levels of consumer confidence as we head into the holiday season. IPO activity slowed in the third quarter of 2014 in terms of both volume and value after strong performance in the second quarter of 2014 with only two IPOs in Q3-2014. However, the pipeline looks stronger for the fourth quarter.

• Webcast

  PwC Deals Practice Year-End M&A Outlook for 2015 webcast - December 18, 2014
  

  Transaction services

  This webcast will review the current state of the M&A market in the US, the trends impacting dealmaking, what we envision the deal market could look like in 2015, and key considerations for successfully executing your deal.

• Q3 2014 US technology deal insights
  

  10/29/14 | Transaction services

  While momentum continues apace with slightly fewer but larger deals, the third quarter experienced an unprecedented series of spin off announcements from technology titans that signal fundamental competitive shifts. Healthy valuations, built-up cash reserves and the ability to leverage equity enabled strategic buyers to lead the way, while private equity remained active on both the buy and sell side.

• HR Innovation – Fall 2014
  

  10/29/14 | Human resource services

  HR Innovation offers advanced thinking about the challenges that should be uppermost on the minds and agendas of organizations and their Human Resources (HR) leaders.

• How non-GAAP Measures Can Impact Your IPO
  

  10/29/14 | Transaction services

  A successful IPO depends on a thorough understanding of how non-GAAP measures can impact the way your company is viewed by potential investors.

• The Global State of Information Security Survey 2015
  

  10/23/14 | Advisory services

  The Global State of Information Security® Survey 2015 is a worldwide study by PwC, CIO, and CSO. Security breaches are on the rise, and it is no surprise to find that as the number of information security incidents continues to mount, so do financial losses. Survey respondents in 2014 report that the number of detected incidents soared to a total of 42.8 million, a 48% leap over 2013. This increase comes at great cost: Total financial losses attributed to security compromises increased 34% over 2013.

• Threat smart: Building a cyber resilient financial institution
  

  10/22/14 | Financial Services Institute

  Cyber risk is more than an IT issue; it’s a business issue. Find out how to build a cyber resilient organization.

• How investors are shaping corporate boards today and into the future
  

  10/22/14 | PwC Investor Resource Institute

  Successful investors continually look around the corner to anticipate the next challenge and the next opportunity, both today and tomorrow. And investors expect the companies they invest in to be similarly forward thinking. So what’s important to investors, and what do they expect of corporate directors? Our second annual survey takes a look.

• Consumer Intelligence Series - The Wearable Future
  

  10/21/14 | Entertainment & media

  The Wearable Future, which looks at some of the strengths and opportunities for wearable tech—and the weaknesses and challenges that enterprising businesses must successfully navigate.

• M&A snapshot

  Companies in distress - A successful turnaround requires decisive decision (M&A snapshot)
  

  10/15/14 | Assurance services

  Signs your company might be in distress and actions it can take to turn the business around.

• Asset management: Powering your journey to success
  

  10/14/14 | Power & utilities

  More than 20 senior power and utilities (P&U) executives and experts from the US and Canada joined us in May 2014 in Chicago to discuss the challenges they’re facing managing their physical asset portfolios and operations. The group came together at a roundtable to share their approaches to Enterprise Asset Management and to discuss leading practices, challenges and lessons learned Participants were drawn from across the gas and electricity sectors, including generation, storage, transmission, and distribution.

• Seed capital: Investing in product innovation
  

  10/14/14 | Asset management

  PwC’s Seed Capital Program Survey collates data from 16 participating asset management firms regarding their seed capital program strategies. This article summarizes several of the survey’s key findings.

• Tax accounting insights

  FASB adds stock compensation tax accounting topics to its agenda
  

  10/10/14 | Tax accounting services

  FASB adds stock compensation tax accounting topics to its agenda.

• Webcast

  The European Data Protection Regulation: What this means for US businesses - November 4, 2014
  

  Risk Assurance

  The proposed General Data Protection Regulation, which is currently proceeding through the European legislature, would introduce widespread data protection changes and greatly increase financial sanctions for noncompliance. These changes are likely to raise significant challenges in regard to data protection compliance for all businesses (regardless of the location of their establishments) that operate or provide goods and services within the European Union (EU). During the webcast, Jay, Stewart and James will discuss the changes the new law would introduce, its current status and how US companies can prepare.

• PwC IPO Watch Finds Q3 IPO Market Proceeds Raise $38.1 Billion
  

  10/8/14 | Transaction services

  The US IPO market continued to demonstrate significant investor interest in initial public offerings (IPOs) in the third quarter of 2014.

• PwC’s Stock compensation: 2014 Assumption and disclosure study
  

  10/7/14 | Human resource services

  PwC is pleased to share with you our Stock Compensation 2014 Assumption and Disclosure Study. This study presents our analysis of the 2013 year-end assumptions and disclosures for large US public companies as well as separately for high tech companies.

• Outlook for the sports market in North America through 2018
  

  10/6/14 | Entertainment & media

  PwC’s Sports Outlook focuses on recent results and potential opportunities and challenges to future industry growth. This edition for North America provides revenue projections over five years through 2018 within four key segments of the sports market.

• Webcast

  Technology Forecast - Rethinking integration: Emerging patterns from cloud computing leaders - October 14, 2014
  

  Join us on for a discussion on Rethinking Integration. We will review several IT trends, including data lakes, silo elimination, microservices and application portability that many are exploring to alleviate the integration burden and speed integration success.

• Metrics by design - A practical approach to measuring internal audit performance
  

  10/1/14 | Risk Assurance

  As leading internal audit functions have transformed to meet increasing expectations, metrics have become a critical tool for Internal Audit to demonstrate its value to the organization and drive its performance against stakeholder expectations. Building on key findings from PwC’s 2014 State of the Internal Audit Profession study, this paper explores how internal audit functions can leverage metrics to both communicate the value they are providing as well as drive results.

• Goods gone bad: Addressing money-laundering risk in the trade finance system
  

  10/1/14 | Risk Assurance

  The rise of trade-based money laundering presents direct financial, reputational, and compliance risk to the financial services companies, banks, and global trade organizations that provide and utilize trade finance. Financial firms can address these increased AML challenges by leveraging analytics and statistical transaction monitoring techniques to identify information, trends, connections, and anomalies indicative of trade-based money laundering schemes.

• Trendsetter Barometer™ Q2 2014 — Private companies outperform the economy but plan to hire just a little
  

  9/30/14 | Private Company Services

  We spoke to over 200 private-company leaders about what they envision for the year ahead. They told us they're more optimistic about the economy, have ambitious revenue goals, and plan to hire new workers in 2014. Read our report to hear what else they're planning for the year ahead.

• Insurance board of directors' risk responsibilities: Guidance from global regimes
  

  9/30/14 | Insurance

  At the present time, no two developments in the insurance sector seem more entwined than risk and regulation, and nowhere is this interaction more evident than in developing regulatory expectations for insurers’ boards of directors. While regulators still seem far apart in their search for a single global capital regime, they are much closer to a consensus on terms of governance.

• The new digital ecosystem reality: Managing risk to enable strategy
  

  9/24/14 | Technology

  Being aware of risks is one thing; taking specific action to address them head on is another. Many companies have tended to look at risk management as something they should react to, rather than something that they should build into the company culture.

• In the loop

  In the loop: Selling part of your business? New rules for reporting disposals
  

  9/22/14 | Assurance services

  Fewer disposals are expected to be reported as "discontinued operations" under new guidance.

• Is your organization conflicted?
  

  9/16/14 | Advisory services

  Organizational Conflicts of Interest pose reputational, legal, regulatory and financial risks - and they are very difficult to detect. Without resorting to overly intrusive procedures, how can organizations manage the risks posed by Conflicts? This white paper discusses some of those risk-mitigation techniques, and how they might apply in your organization.

• Managing the Shadow Cloud - Integrating cloud governance into your existing compliance program
  

  9/10/14 | Risk Assurance

  The world of computing has changed, and executives have begun to realize that shadow cloud activity cannot be ignored. At the same time, realizing the benefits of the cloud with more confidence about the risks and rewards depends on knowing how to prudently say “yes” to the cloud.

• Video

  Spin-offs
  

  9/8/14 | Assurance services

  Spin-off transactions are increasing in the marketplace. Is there one in your future? PwC's Neil Dhar, Ravi Rao and Beth Paul discuss the current market trends, key considerations for carve-out financial statements, and how to be successful both during and after a spin-off.

• FAS 123(R) Post-Implementation Review Report Issued
  

  9/3/14 | Human resource services

  The Post-Implementation Review Report recently issued on FAS 123(R) finds certain elements difficult or costly to apply.

• In the loop

  In the loop: Spin-off transactions - creating a new public entity
  

  9/3/14 | Assurance services

  Spin-offs represent a growing trend in recent years. Is there one in your future? Gain insight into the spin-off process including developing carve-out financial statements and creating a sustainable stand-alone entity.

• Q2 2014 US Health Services deals insights
  

  8/27/14 | Transaction services

  We see a steady pace in the volume of deals for the health services sectors from the first to second quarters with 143 and 138 announced deals (281 total deals), respectively. This volume is also consistent on a year to date basis with 2013 and its 289 announced deals. However, we also note that on a quarterly basis, the second quarter of 2014’s deal volume (138 deals) has declined almost 13% from the same period in 2013 (158 deals).

• Webcast

  Dealmaking in Mexico – Investing today to seize tomorrow’s opportunities - September 26, 2014
  

  Transaction services

  The Mexico government is currently attempting to implement reforms intended to transform the country to make it one of the most vibrant and dynamic economies in the next decade. Many economists, politicians, and businessmen, however, have different views on what these reforms actually mean for Mexican businesses, foreign investment, and the average Mexican citizen and how issues such as security concerns, income inequality and corruption will affect Mexico’s ability to unlock its potential.

• Closer to fine: Separating data privacy from information security
  

  8/26/14 | Financial Services Institute

  Who’s in charge of privacy? Why financial institutions should create a separate information privacy organization.

• US Real estate insights: Summer 2014
  

  8/26/14 | Real estate

  Single family homes and student housing are two areas that are gaining popularity with real estate investors. In this issue, we also provide our perspective on the latest market and economic trends, regulatory activities and legislative changes affecting the real estate industry.

• Technology industry findings & implications
  

  8/26/14 | Technology

  Technology companies are in a unique position when it comes to digital. Not only should they invest and innovate to transform their own businesses, but their customers are looking to them for help in getting a digital edge. Find out how the Tech industry rates when it comes to Digital IQ—their ability to understand and weave technology throughout the business—and what they can do to reap more value.

• The new digital ecosystem reality: Innovation's next frontier is in customer service
  

  8/26/14 | Technology

  As customer expectations evolve, customer service has emerged as the next critical differentiator. Forward-thinking companies understand that the future of customer service is proactive, integrated and omnipresent.

• In brief

  In brief: FASB proposal to shed some light on the accounting for the Cloud
  

  8/21/14 | Assurance services

  FASB issues exposure draft intended to simplify the accounting for Cloud Computing customers.

• Webcast

  Employee Benefit Plans - 2014 Plan Sponsor Update - September 10, 2014
  

  Michele Weldon, PwC's National Employee Benefit Plan Practice Leader, will provide an overview of current developments related to Defined Benefit, Defined Contribution, and Health & Welfare employee benefit plans. This will include an update on recent changes in accounting, auditing and regulatory requirements impacting employee benefit plans.

• Assembling value: Second-quarter 2014 industrial manufacturing industry mergers and acquisitions analysis
  

  8/20/14 | Industrial products

  Industrial manufacturing mergers and acquisitions activity surged in the second quarter, driven by large deals. Dealmakers seeking strategic assets represented the overwhelming majority of all transactions.

• Chemical compounds: Second-quarter 2014 chemical industry mergers and acquisitions analysis
  

  8/20/14 | Industrial products

  Chemicals M&A activity in the second quarter of 2014 more than doubled in value and volume when compared to the same period last year. Mid-market transactions accounted for 68% of total deal activity and over 20% of value.

• Engineering growth: Second-quarter 2014 engineering & construction industry mergers and acquisitions analysis
  

  8/20/14 | Industrial products

  The value of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in the engineering and construction (E&C) sector in 2Q14 surged to $67 billion from $15 billion in the prior quarter. As a result of the transactions that were involved, the average deal size rose to among the highest levels on record.

• Forging ahead: Second-quarter 2014 metals industry mergers and acquisitions analysis
  

  8/20/14 | Metals

  Metals industry mergers and acquisitions rebounded in the second quarter, as deals were driven by metals companies diversifying their assets and seeking to manage overcapacity.

• Intersections: Second-quarter 2014 transportation & logistics industry mergers and acquisitions analysis
  

  8/20/14 | Transportation and logistics

  The pace of transportation and logistics transactions accelerated during the second quarter, as measured by both announced value and volume. However, 2014 is not expected to set records for mergers and acquisitions in the sector.

• Claim to fame: Positioning the claims function for operational excellence
  

  8/18/14 | Financial Services Institute

  Improving the insurance customer experience starts with improving the claims process – find out why.

• US Tax Reform: Will possible changes impact your mobile employees?
  

  8/18/14 | Global tax services

  Lawmakers are eyeing reform of the US tax system, which would surely affect multinational companies with globally-mobile workforces.

• Mission control: Second-quarter 2014 aerospace and defense industry mergers and acquisitions analysis
  

  8/12/14 | Aerospace & defense

  An uptick in mega deals and the ongoing interest in divested assets and private equity backed businesses, propelled aerospace & defense M&A second quarter value to the highest quarterly total in three years.

• Fighting a growing threat: Retail and consumer goods sector analysis of PwC’s 2014 Global Economic Crime Survey
  

  8/12/14 | Retail & consumer

  Retail and consumer goods companies are experiencing greater levels of economic crime. Nearly half of respondents say their company has experienced this type of event in the last two years. By far the most commonly reported type of economic crime for the sector is asset misappropriation, while other common types of fraud included bribery and corruption, accounting fraud and cybercrime.

• Q2 2014 US technology deal insights
  

  8/7/14 | Transaction services

  Extending the positive momentum from the second half of 2013, equity markets set new highs, IPO markets reached activity levels not seen in years, VC investments harkened back to 2000 levels, and economic outlooks remained modestly optimistic across sectors. Private equity (PE) continued to play an active role in technology, though challenged by strategic buyers who are able to leverage healthy valuations and substantial amounts of cash on hand.

• Doing business in the United States
  

  8/6/14 | US tax services

  Global companies investing in the United States face unique opportunities and challenges. Doing business in the US reviews the key tax issues and provides insights to help investors navigate the US business environment.

• Pricing & Profitability: Deals Desk – A key business enabler to meet customer demands
  

  8/5/14 | Technology

  As companies look to maintain market competitiveness and to meet the demands of increasingly sophisticated customers while also managing their profitability, many are implementing a deals desk function as a key business enabler.

• An HR perspective: Nothing but change for healthcare industry stakeholders
  

  8/5/14 | Human resource services

  Health care organizations today find themselves amid transformation on numerous fronts: everything from merging provider organizations to converging providers and payors to changing compensation models. Many of these changes are starting to reflect an Affordable Care Act America, along with more general shifts in the US healthcare industry—all of which yield implications for stakeholders across the board, including executives, employees, and physicians.

• What investors need to know about cybersecurity: How to evaluate the investment risks
  

  7/31/14 | PwC Investor Resource Institute

  Cybersecurity is more than just a technology issue in the back office; it's a critical business issue that can dramatically impact a company's competitive position. Learn what leading practices are available to investors to determine if a company is reasonably prepared to weather the storm of a cyberattack.

• EU Data Protection Reform The challenges and benefits of compliance for businesses
  

  7/31/14 | Risk Assurance

  The passage of the General Data Protection Regulation that is proceeding through the European legislature is likely to raise significant challenges in regard to data protection compliance for all businesses that operate or provide goods and services within the European Union. With passage likely, proactive companies are taking steps today that will help them prepare to comply with future requirements.

• Webcast

  Investor Resource Institute Quarterly Webcast - Cybersecurity - August 20, 2014
  

  Center for Board Governance

  PwC's Investor Resource Institute invites you to join us for a webcast on Wednesday, August 20 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET. During this webcast we will be discussing enterprise security and how the new cybersecurity landscape impacts company performance as well as the challenges investors may want to consider.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on organizational DNA
  

  7/24/14 | Advisory services

  Ever wonder why some companies consistently deliver while others disappoint? Faced with the same market, stocked with similar talent, one organization flourishes, while the other flounders. By understanding what makes your organization tick and where there might be breakdowns to address, you and your employees can truly deliver on your strategic intent.

• 2014 Global Airline Survey: Strategic sights set on transformation and innovation
  

  7/23/14 | Industrial products

  Important megatrends, such as shifting global economic power, technological advances, and demographic changes, are identified as top-of-mind issues for global airline CEOs, according to our latest report, the 2014 Global Airline CEO Survey. As the changing balance of economic power is expected to have a drastic effect on the industry in the next five years, the report highlights three key areas in which CEOs are planning to respond: organizational structure, technology, and talent.

• Manufacturing Barometer - July 2014
  

  7/23/14 | Industrial products

  US manufacturers are planning to spend more on infrastructure in the coming year as competitive pressures grow. Additionally, M&A plans have increased.

• Incentive compensation — impact of new revenue accounting rules
  

  7/13/14 | Human resource services

  Potential impact of new revenue accounting rules on incentive compensation plans and how employers can begin to prepare.

• PwC Cash Investment Survey Report
  

  7/10/14 | Advisory services

  Survey results identified trends in corporate cash investment management practices and highlighted potential opportunities for improvement.

• PwC Reports Robust IPO Market Surpasses $21 Billion in Q2 Proceeds, Best Quarter Volume Since 2007
  

  7/10/14 | Transaction services

  The market for initial public offerings (IPOs) finished on a strong note late in the second quarter of 2014, recording the highest quarterly deal volume since the fourth quarter of 2007.

• PwC's 2014 Health and Well-being Touchstone Survey results
  

  6/27/14 | Human resource services

  PwC is pleased to announce the availability of our 2014 Health and Well-being Touchstone Survey results. The 2014 survey data contains detailed benefits information provided by approximately 1,200 participating companies in 35 different industries across the nation.

• The valuation impact caused by changing times: Why economic obsolescence matters for retail companies
  

  6/25/14 | Assurance services

  Economic obsolescence can become a significant issue when a company has or is acquiring assets – such as store or restaurant locations – that generate separate identifiable streams of cash flows. This publication discusses factors that typically cause economic obsolescence and the potential impact, including illustrative examples and case studies.

• Video

  Top five IPO readiness tips
  

  6/17/14 | Assurance services

  Considering an IPO? Hear the top five top areas companies should contemplate, as shared by PwC's Mike Gould, Lee Vanderpool, David Bohl, Francesca Bellome, Brian Staniszewski and Alyona Teeter.

• 3D printing and the new shape of industrial manufacturing
  

  6/11/14 | Industrial products

  Manufacturers are observing how 3D printing (3DP) could disrupt manufacturing processes, impact the traditional supply chain, and increase the demand for the talent needed to apply the technology to their operations.

• How grocers can get ahead for the future
  

  6/11/14 | Retail & consumer

  What customers want in tomorrow’s grocer isn’t all that different from what they want today. Based on the more than 1,000 customers we surveyed, the grocery industry’s future is centered around a simple yet targeted shopping experience that’s tailored to their needs. And while technology will play a more important role than it has historically, it will be just one component of connecting with clients. The grocery shoppers of tomorrow will want a shopping experience that’s tailored to their needs with custom coupons, convenience, and a selection of organic and ethnic foods, according to our new survey.

• M&A snapshot

  Cross-border acquisitions - Post-acquisition considerations (M&A snapshot)
  

  6/9/14 | Assurance services

  In cross-border deals, buyers shouldn't underestimate aspects of a transaction that require attention post-acquisition.

• Point of view

  Point of view - Sustainability reporting
  

  6/6/14 | Assurance services

  Sustainability reporting is a growing trend. Find out how leading companies are benefitting from increased transparency.

• Investors are focused on sustainability issues. Are you giving them the info they want to understand your company?
  

  6/5/14 | Sustainable business solutions

  Sustainability issues are a priority for today’s investors and will continue to become increasingly relevant as institutions seek to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns in both current and future investment decisions. How prepared is your company to present a clear narrative to investors supported by good data?

• Deeper insights for greater strategic value: Oracle Advanced Controls (GRC) Study
  

  6/2/14 | Risk Assurance

  GRC Technology has become an increasingly critical factor for driving value (i.e., recovering profitability, increasing efficiency, detecting fraud, etc.) and automating manual compliance and risk management activity in the enterprise. Organizations have increased their adoption of Oracle Advanced Control (“AC”) to improve the oversight of corporate governance, including financial reporting compliance, enterprise risk management (ERM), and related audits. To better understand organizations’ awareness and how organizations are using (or considering using) Advanced Controls technology to drive value in an enterprise, PwC conducted an Oracle Advanced Controls study.

• The Goldilocks syndrome: Tailoring packaged software so it’s just right
  

  5/28/14 | Financial Services Institute

  How to make the right customization and configuration decisions so your software can deliver the results you want.

• Beyond compliance: Creating a new norm in gas pipeline leak management
  

  5/28/14 | Power & utilities

  In the new norm, leak survey is no longer viewed simply as a compliance activity—it is integrated with risk assessment, work identification, and investment planning to transform integrity management and enhance pipeline safety.

• How to be No. 1: facing future challenges in the automotive industry
  

  5/27/14 | Automotive

  This PwC paper explains how strong brands and clear priorities are key if automotive OEMs and suppliers are to compete successfully.

• Corporate Governance Series

  Five megatrends and their implications, directors edition
  

  5/23/14 | Center for Board Governance

  The concept of megatrends is not new, but megatrends today are more complex and interconnected. They have potential implications on business--now and in the future.

• Valuation multiples and purchase allocation trends
  

  5/22/14 | Transaction services

  What are the latest comparable statistics for mergers and acquisitions and active trades in the financial services industry? Check out PwC's quarterly valuation summaries for the Banking, Insurance and Asset Management sectors. Insights include: trends in market multiples, related transactions, and transaction benchmarking analysis.

• Q1 2014 US Health Services deals insights
  

  5/21/14 | Transaction services

  In the first quarter of 2014, the total volume of deals remained consistent with the same period in 2013; however, the value of announced deals rose 152% to $12.3 billion.

• Q1 2014 US technology deal insights
  

  5/21/14 | Transaction services

  Technology deals for the first quarter of 2014 started strong, continuing the momentum of the second-half surge of 2013. Equity markets remained near record highs and IPO activity remained robust in an improving economy. Software and Internet deals continue to dominate as cloud, mobile and data drive much of the industry focus today.

• IPR&D acquired in a business combination – How many pieces?
  

  5/21/14 | Pharmaceuticals & life science

  This Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Alert focuses on in-process research and development (IPR&D) in acquisition accounting.

• In the loop

  In the loop: How new accounting elections could affect your deal or IPO strategy
  

  5/20/14 | Assurance services

  In the loop is an executive-level series addressing important financial reporting and regulatory issues. Our first edition discusses how changes in private company accounting could affect future deal or financing strategies.

• The future ain’t what it used to be: Why tier one investment banks need fundamental operating model changes
  

  5/19/14 | Financial Services Institute

  Investment banks today have their backs against the wall with cost and regulatory pressures. Read on to learn how shifting operating models can be the game-changing key to success.

• US Entertainment Media and Communications deal insights: Q1 2014
  

  5/14/14 | Transaction services

  The entertainment, media and communications (EMC) deal market is off to a strong start with a few high dollar deals announced in the first quarter. We cover the landscape of deals including private equity and cross-border deals, and dive deep into the emergence of Multi-Channel Networks (MCN) as the new hot property in the digital video space. We recap recent deal activity in the most active sectors, including: Broadcasting, Communications, Internet Related/Information Services, Recreation & Leisure and Film/Content.

• US retail and consumer deals insights: Q1 2014 update
  

  5/14/14 | Transaction services

  Deal activity is off to a good start led by numerous large deals, and confirms our positive outlook for 2014. Core retail trade sales improved in March which may give some rise in optimism for the remainder of the year after a slow start. IPO activity moderates in the first quarter after coming off a strong performance in 2013. However, the R&C pipeline is the strongest the sector has seen in recent years.

• M&A snapshot

  Cross-border acquisitions - Accounting considerations relating to income taxes (M&A snapshot)
  

  5/12/14 | Assurance services

  In cross-border deals, the acquisition of a foreign business can introduce complexities in accounting for income taxes.

• Trendsetter Barometer™ Q1 2014 — Private companies' optimism fuels growth plans, including renewed interest in M&A
  

  5/12/14 | Private Company Services

  We spoke to over 200 private-company leaders about what they envision for the year ahead. They told us they're more optimistic about the economy, have ambitious revenue goals, and plan to hire new workers in 2014. Read our report to hear what else they're planning for the year ahead.

• Evaluating environmental liabilities and their impacts on future earnings (Observations from the front lines)
  

  5/12/14 | US Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services

  Unexpected expenditures and accounting adjustments – like those arising from environmental obligations – can dramatically impact capital budgeting and future earnings. Companies have found that practices vary widely across sectors and both engineering and accounting expertise are critical in assessing environmental obligations.

• Sustainable Supply Chains: Making value the priority
  

  5/9/14 | Advisory services

  Sustainability has been on the executive agenda for years and it’s now one of the fastest-growing supply chain management trends. More than two-thirds of 500 supply chain executives say it will play an important role in how they manage their supply chains through 2015. When PwC and APICS Foundation decided to explore what the people responsible for executing on these strategies would say about the topic, an interesting picture emerged. Thirty-nine percent of APICS members, the leading association for supply chain and operations, say company leadership is not providing the mandate, incentives, and resources to turn supply chain sustainability into action. Read this report to find out more.

• Webcast

  Mergers & Acquisitions Webcast - On-demand (CPE-eligible)
  

  Assurance services

  Our Mergers & Acquisitions webcast originally held on Tuesday, May 20th covers accounting, financial reporting and valuation considerations in connection with the acquisition of a business. The webcast features Beth Paul, PwC Strategic Thought Leader, Ravi Rao, National Office SEC Services Partner, and Dimitri Drone and Matt Sabatini, both Partners in our Transaction Services group. Watch a replay or participate in the on demand (CPE-eligible) version of this webcast.

• Trends in workforce analytics - Capturing the latest results from US Human Capital Effectiveness Benchmarks, 2014
  

  5/6/14 | Human resource services

  Our US benchmarking service recently published hundreds of metrics that reinforce the business improvement opportunity available to HR departments today - if they can align workforce performance to business strategy, supported by effective data.

• Using innovation to drive sustainable growth in the chemicals industry
  

  5/6/14 | Industrial products

  This PwC report explains why innovation in the chemicals industry is so important because it helps chemicals companies address their customers’ challenges and creates competitive advantage.

• What’s the fastest growing supply chain trend today? Why sustainability has caught the C-suite’s attention
  

  5/6/14 | Sustainable business solutions

  In today’s business and social media environment, an issue in a company’s supply chain can have widespread and lasting impacts on customers and the bottom line. And the C-suite is paying attention.

• Webcast

  Data at Risk. Protecting your intellectual property within SAP - November 13, 2014
  

  Risk Assurance

  PwC's SAP practice invites you to attend the ‘Data at Risk! Protecting your intellectual property within SAP' webcast to find about leading practices to classify, identify and protect sensitive data within SAP systems.

• Market trends in retiree healthcare and financial reporting implications
  

  4/30/14 | Human resource services

  This Insight focuses on the accounting implications of changes in the design of retiree health benefit plans.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on integrated reporting
  

  4/29/14 | Sustainable business solutions

  Investors have been showing increased interest in the correlations between financial performance and sustainability factors like resource scarcity, environmental performance and corporate governance when assessing a company’s future risk and growth opportunities. Is your company ready to respond? This 10Minutes highlights insights and benefits companies can glean into these issues by integrating their thinking to develop a better understanding of impacts to their businesses, allowing them to tell a more holistic value creation story.

• Assembling value: First-quarter 2014 industrial manufacturing industry mergers and acquisitions analysis
  

  4/28/14 | Industrial products

  Industrial manufacturing mergers and acquisitions activity rose in the second half of the year, with oil and gas end-markets driving deals in the industrial machinery sector. Deal strategies are expected to shift to growth-oriented transactions in 2014.

• Chemical compounds: First-quarter 2014 chemical industry mergers and acquisitions analysis
  

  4/28/14 | Industrial products

  Chemical industry mergers and acquisitions increased in advanced economies, with shale gas opportunities playing a major factor in the United States. Chemicals industry companies are pursuing a variety of deal strategies, including joint ventures, spin-offs, and complete divestitures.

• Mission control: First-quarter 2014 aerospace and defense industry mergers and acquisitions analysis
  

  4/28/14 | Aerospace & defense

  Deal activity in the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry was off to a slow start in 2014. While aerospace-focused deals are expected to continue at high valuations, the defense mergers & acquisitions (M&A) market remains sluggish. Unless long-term defense priorities become clearer, a sustained increase in the overall pace of A&D M&A is unlikely.

• Engineering growth: First-quarter 2014 engineering & construction industry mergers and acquisitions analysis
  

  4/28/14 | Industrial products

  Large deals continue to drive engineering and construction industry mergers and acquisitions, especially in the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors. Risk aversion is impacting deal activity in emerging markets.

• Telecommunications and data privacy policies will drive opportunities in online retailing
  

  4/24/14 | Retail & consumer

  This PwC paper focuses on telecommunications and data privacy issues and how those may affect global companies with online retailing operations in emerging markets.

• Specialty third-party logistics providers: A busy market for transactions in 2014
  

  4/23/14 | Transaction services

  The number of logistic transactions is on the rise and private equity and industry players continue to look for strategic purchases, particularly of specialty 3PL providers. Third-party logistics providers are becoming increasingly indispensable due to their high level of customization, service quality, or service accuracy. Because of the number of well-capitalized players and the need for this operational intelligence and sophisticated capabilities, we expect this momentum of deals to continue.

• Final rules describe ACA health coverage reporting requirements for 2015
  

  4/23/14 | Human resource services

  Final regulations on ACA reporting requirements give needed guidance to employers and insurers who must report to the IRS about 2015 health coverage.

• 2014 US CEO Survey: A private-company perspective
  

  4/22/14 | Private Company Services

  Growing Your Business is a PwC series discussing the opportunities and challenges private companies face, suggesting ways they can make the most of both.

• Employee Financial Wellness Survey
  

  4/21/14 | Private Company Services

  PwC's Employee Financial Wellness Survey tracks the financial and retirement wellbeing of working US adults nationwide.

• Executive Compensation: Clawbacks 2013 proxy disclosure study
  

  4/17/14 | Human resource services

  This PwC publication presents our analysis of 2009 through 2012 year-end proxy disclosures for 100 large public companies relative to their compensation recoupment or “clawback” policies. When providing employees with bonuses, stock options, or other incentive awards, companies often establish provisions that allow them to recoup all or a portion of the award under certain circumstances. These provisions, referred to as clawbacks, are detailed by most public companies in their annual proxy statement.

• Breaking the rules: Achieving breakthrough innovation in financial services
  

  4/15/14 | Financial Services Institute

  Financial institutions can no longer grow through cost cutting and reengineering alone. Read on to learn how breakthrough innovation can help leading organizations gain a competitive advantage.

• Cure for the Common Culture: Building Effective Risk Cultures at Financial Institutions
  

  4/15/14 | Financial Services Institute

  What are the best ways for financial services firms to establish an effective risk culture? We share some tips to keep your culture clean and clear of regulatory risk.

• Workforce of the future: How strategic workforce planning can help financial institutions today, tomorrow, and beyond
  

  4/7/14 | Financial Services Institute

  Top-performing teams don’t happen by accident; they’re built to support an organization’s strategy and culture. Do you have the people who can make your strategy happen?

• M&A snapshot

  Cross-border acquisitions - Navigating SEC reporting requirements (M&A snapshot)
  

  4/7/14 | Assurance services

  This is the second in our series focused on navigating the waters of a cross-border acquisition. The series looks at various aspects along the deal continuum, including pre-acquisition due diligence and strategies, financial reporting requirements, tax implications, and post-acquisition considerations. This edition provides insights on SEC and other financial reporting requirements that may apply in a cross-border acquisition.

• PwC’s Q1 IPO Watch Finds IPOs Continue to Dominate the Capital Markets as Activity More than Doubles Compared to Q1 2013
  

  4/2/14 | Transaction services

  The robust market for initial public offerings (IPOs) continued in the first quarter of 2014, and momentum is expected to remain strong into the second quarter, according to IPO Watch, a quarterly survey of IPOs listed on U.S. stock exchanges by PwC US.

• HR Innovation - Winter 2014
  

  4/2/14 | Human resource services

  HR Innovation offers advanced thinking about the challenges that should be uppermost on the minds and agendas of organizations and their Human Resources (HR) leaders. In this issue of HR Innovation, we focus on the continually changing HR landscape and what organizations need to do to take control of today’s opportunities and tomorrow’s decisions.

• Acquiring Innovation: Strategic deal-making to create value through M&A
  

  4/2/14 | Transaction services

  M&A in pursuit of innovation is a high-potential source of growth. That's what we learned in a survey of tech companies, where 76 percent of innovation-focused acquisitions met or exceeded expectations. Led by the right inorganic growth strategy and accompanied by a holistic approach to deal execution, business leaders in all industry sectors can apply key lessons learned from innovation-intensive industry sectors to their own business and accelerate growth. Read to explore the key success factors in acquiring innovation.

• Game on: Private Equity Investment in Africa
  

  4/2/14 | Transaction services

  Over the past several years, interest in Africa as a destination for investment has been growing at a steady clip. Private equity was the first to make serious inroads into this heterogeneous continent of 54 countries. More recently, multinational corporations and a variety of other investors have entered the fray.

• PwC's 6th Annual Digital IQ Survey
  

  4/1/14 | Advisory services

  Download our 2014 Global Digital IQ Survey and explore the wealth of data and PwC insights, gleaned from 1,100 companies around the world, and across industries.

• M&A Integration: Looking beyond the here and now. PwC’s 2014 M&A Integration Survey Report
  

  4/1/14 | Transaction services

  In 2008 and 2011, our tri-annual M&A Integration survey reports underscored the need for early planning and an accelerated transition as critical factors for successful integration.
  This 2014 survey report confirms these factors remain in today’s deals, and offers additional insights – showing that while early planning and rapid transition remain important, the commitment to integration completion over the long-term can be the deciding factor for deal success.

• Turning frowns upside down: How financial institutions can transform complaints into a competitive advantage
  

  3/31/14 | Financial Services Institute

  When things go wrong, word travels fast. But, if financial institutions resolve the issue quickly, customers tend to stay. A strong complaint management program is key.

• The art of letting go: Middle- and back-office right-sourcing options for insurance investment management
  

  3/31/14 | Financial Services Institute

  Insurers can transform their investment management middle- and back-office functions to gain a competitive advantage. Which right-sourcing approach will work for you?

• Doing more with more: How P&C insurers are creating an information advantage with 3rd party data
  

  3/25/14 | Insurance

  Look at how 3PD is dramatically altering the information management, analytics and decision-making landscape, as well as some leading practices on successfully integrating and exploiting 3PD.

• Private company accounting alternatives on goodwill (Observations from the front lines)
  

  3/25/14 | US Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services

  Recently the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update to permit private companies to amortize goodwill acquired in a business combination, and to apply a simplified goodwill impairment model. This change is intended to help reduce reporting complexity for private companies; however, private companies should carefully consider this alternative, especially for those considering an initial public offering.

• US health services deals insights: analysis and trends in US health services activity 2013 and 2014 outlook
  

  3/24/14 | Transaction services

  In 2013, the most notable deal activity was in the hospital sector. While hospital deal volume was down, hospital deal value increased from $1.9 billion in 2012 to $18.6 billion in 2013.

• An HR perspective, The Future of Healthcare Benefits - Employers’ opportunity for strategic change in the new healthcare world
  

  3/13/14 | Human resource services

  PwC recently convened several roundtables of employers in New York, Chicago, and Atlanta to discuss health coverage at this pivotal moment. This thought leadership article highlights the conversations and results of the related survey.

• CFOs Seek Surer Footing for the Path Forward
  

  3/12/14

  U.S. finance leaders are looking for more signs of stability in the year ahead, according to the latest Duke University/CFO Global Business Outlook Survey.

• M&A snapshot

  Cross-border acquisitions - Due diligence and pre-acquisition risk considerations (M&A snapshot)
  

  3/6/14 | Assurance services

  This is the first in a series focused on navigating the waters of a cross-border acquisition. This edition focuses on the pre-acquisition phase, including how GAAP differences can impact valuation and how a company can manage the financial risk exposure that arises from a cross-border acquisition.

• Corporate Governance Series

  Shareholder questions: Management's considerations for 2014 annual meetings
  

  3/3/14 | Assurance services

  This PwC publication is intended to help management and the board of directors of public companies prepare for the annual meeting of shareholders. It contains example questions on topics that may be top-of-mind for shareholders, along with background information and suggested actions for management’s consideration.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on data privacy
  

  2/26/14 | Advisory services

  Data protection and privacy is an urgent issue for both consumers and businesses. As customers increasingly worry whether their personal information is secure and used appropriately, companies are also concerned about protecting data and their brand. This 10Minutes highlights the importance of viewing consumer privacy from more than just a compliance lens and developing a strategy and action plan that will help businesses lead on data privacy by building customer trust and enhancing their brand.

• Operational controllership: The quiet evolution
  

  2/20/14 | Transaction services

  Today the landscape is changing, as the operational controllership function is less about technical accounting and financial reporting support (handled by specialist technical teams) and more about creating value for the company while managing risk. The operational controller roles across the companies have evolved into new focus areas, such as reducing legal entities or improving shared services or working proactively with deal and commercial teams—all designed to drive more simplifica­tion, standardization, cost savings or revenue growth.

• Global Economic Crime Survey, 2014: Key Highlights from the U.S.
  

  2/20/14 | Forensic services

  From cybercrime to corruption, most economic crimes reported are on the rise. What does this mean for your business? Read the key highlights from the U.S.

• PwC's Global Insights 2014: Drivers of growth for Cash and Carry retailers in emerging markets
  

  2/18/14 | Retail & consumer

  PwC’s Global Insights 2014: Drivers of growth for Cash and Carry retailers in emerging markets reviews the evolution of the Cash & Carry (C&C) retail model in emerging markets and provides key insights/platforms that can be leveraged for C&C evolution and growth.

• US retail & consumer deals insights: 2013 year in review and 2014 outlook
  

  2/18/14 | Retail & consumer

  Despite a lull in deal activity during Q2, total transaction value for 2013 surpassed the $100 billion mark for the first time since 2008, anchored by one of the largest consumer products deals in history with the $28 billion Heinz deal. There were several factors which challenged consumer sentiment throughout 2013, however consumer sentiment was up year-over-year driven by labor and economic improvements. We expect R&C deal activity will continue its positive momentum, but will remain challenging as supply and demand of quality assets for sale may remain divergent.

• Private Company Platforms – NYSE ACE Portal & NASDAQ Private Market (Observations from the front lines)
  

  2/13/14 | US Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services

  The broadening of private company securities sales has helped drive the development of two new offerings from the NYSE and NASDAQ OMX. Both solutions, although different in approach and focus, are designed to provide a platform and market structure for private companies to manage and conduct the sale of private company securities.

• 2013 US Capital Markets watch - analysis and trends
  

  2/12/14 | Transaction services

  Welcome to PwC’s inaugural 2013 US Capital Markets Watch. Reflecting the integrated nature of capital markets, we have broadened the discussion beyond Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) to include the equity follow-on market, the convertible market, debt markets, and spin-offs.

• Answering your cybersecurity questions
  

  2/5/14 | Advisory services

  There continues to be systematic security issues with retailers in the United States. A number of recent high-profile data breaches demonstrate that cyberattacks on retail and consumer organizations are increasing in number. This piece discusses what boards and management can do to better position their companies to handle cybersecurity events. It also covers threat actors who exploit retailers via cyberspace, and provides questions to consider in the early weeks of 2014.

• Empowering business agility: Strengthening Internal Audit’s impact and value
  

  2/4/14 | Power & utilities

  Findings from the eighth annual survey of power and utilities chief audit executives.

• 17th Annual Global CEO Survey: US Findings
  

  1/30/14

  US CEOs in our 17th Annual Global CEO Survey are finding reasons to be more confident in many places. At home, the outlook for the US economy is improving. For example, we saw momentum increase in the US deals market over 2013, and business investment is picking up.

• Being prepared in a hot IPO market (Observations from the front lines)
  

  1/23/14 | US Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services

  Strong demand for IPOs continued in the fourth quarter of 2013, capping a robust year for the capital markets and setting the stage for continued growth in 2014. The window for raising capital in a robust IPO market tends to open with bursts of popularity then close quickly. This requires a constant state of readiness for the required IPO document that is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission “SEC”. Don’t let unforeseen financial reporting items be the road block to accessing the IPO markets.

• The Internal Audit Analytics Conundrum—Finding your path through data
  

  1/21/14 | Risk Assurance

  Business development during recent decades has involved extensive use of technology designed to drive business competitiveness and expand new business horizons. Integrating data analytics into your Internal Audit approach can help you achieve your audit objectives in a more reliable and cost-effective way. This white paper highlights what Internal Audit can be doing to help utilize analytics across their audit plan.

• Social Selling: A Digital Blueprint for the Automobile Industry
  

  1/6/14 | Automotive

  The automotive industry is amidst an era of marketing disruption. Traditional advertising models and budgets are withering and people are working to find the right mix of marketing among multiple social and digital platforms inside and outside of their control. This always-on and unlimited sharing of experiences, combined with digital communications tools embedded into the car ownership experience itself, has created a new playing field for automakers. This is the third online era. How all of it combined influences the transaction experience is what we refer to as social selling.

• PwC’s Q4 IPO Watch Finds 2013 IPO Volume Hits Highest Level in Six Years
  

  12/19/13 | Transaction services

  Strong demand for initial public offerings (IPOs) continued in the fourth quarter of 2013, capping a robust year for the capital markets and setting the stage for continued growth in the new year, according to IPO Watch, a quarterly survey of IPOs listed on U.S. stock exchanges by PwC US. Total IPO volume for 2013, as of December 17, reached 237 public company debuts, easily surpassing overall volume of 146 IPOs in 2012 and representing the most active environment for newly listed companies since 2007.

• Strategic Divestiture Alternatives – An efficient structure re-emerges (Observations from the front lines)
  

  12/17/13 | US Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services

  The re-emergence of a Mergers & Acquisitions (“M&A”) technique known as a “Reverse Morris Trust” (“RMT”) has proven to provide some unique advantages over other strategic alternatives as a vehicle for divesting divisions or a separate business. Companies considering a divestiture should become knowledgeable on the recent comeback of this strategic alternative so they can actively engage in conversations with their advisors.

• Dataline

  Dataline: Supply Chain Finance: Analyzing Structured Payable Programs
  

  12/17/13 | Assurance services

  Implementing a structured vendor payable program? Be wary - changes to the terms of the trade payable could affect balance sheet classification and debt covenant ratios.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on service provider transparency
  

  12/10/13 | Risk Assurance

  Businesses depend on service providers to handle confidential data, run essential business processes, and manage critical technology. This can leave businesses vulnerable to service provider breakdowns. The result can be the providers’ clients violating regulations and even losing customer trust. Yet many businesses may know less than they realize about their service providers’ controls. This 10Minutes discusses how SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports can give businesses the picture they need to have solid confidence in their service providers.

• Putting the success in succession
  

  12/9/13 | Advisory services

  Succession planning done right sets the growth course. It aligns with talent processes, mends gaps and develops future leaders for success. But too often, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves unless a crisis forces it on the agenda. True planning for the workforce of the future, for the success of the future—means addressing succession planning today.

• Employee stock compensation: 2013 SEC comment letter trends
  

  11/24/13 | Human resource services

  PwC has produced this document to assist management teams in identifying and understanding the SEC staff's current focus areas for stock compensation. We have highlighted the areas where registrants received the most comments from the SEC staff and have provided relevant examples of recent comment letters to aid preparers in ensuring their disclosures are robust and consistent with the relevant accounting or reporting guidance for stock compensation.

• Pensions and other postretirement benefits: 2013 SEC comment letter trends
  

  11/24/13 | Human resource services

  This PwC publication includes an analysis of comments made by the SEC staff to registrants published on the SEC’s website between January 1, 2013 and September 15, 2013 related to pensions and postretirement benefits other than pensions (OPEB). There were 37 companies that received one or more comments related to pensions and OPEB during that period, for a total of 78 comments.

• Investor Exchange 2013 highlights
  

  10/22/13 | PwC Investor Resource Institute

  Investors are more interested than ever in understanding the risks that today's companies face. Read what investors had to say at PwC's inaugural Investor Exchange.

• Defending yesterday: Key findings from The Global State of Information Security^® Survey 2014
  

  10/21/13 | Advisory services

  While organizations have made significant security improvements, they have not kept pace with today’s determined adversaries. As a result, many rely on yesterday’s security practices to combat today’s threats. The results of this survey show that executives are heeding the need to fund enhanced security activities and have substantially improved technology safeguards, processes, and strategies.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on strategic supply chain management
  

  10/2/13 | Advisory services

  New research shows that high-performing supply chains can achieve sales and revenue growth while managing costs. That sounds like a tall order, but there are things you can do now to manage your supply chain as a strategic asset to boost performance and profitability. This 10Minutes highlights how the supply chain can move your business strategy forward and set you apart from the competition.

• Power and Utilities Alert 2013-8: Alternative financing options for the renewable power industry
  

  10/1/13 | Power & utilities

  What regulatory changes would be required for renewable power companies to access financing alternatives such as REITs and MLPs? What are the benefits and the regulatory challenges of each alternative?

• Retail & Consumer KnowledgeBrief: Technical and Quality Newsletter
  

  10/1/13 | Retail & consumer

  What are the technical and reporting issues impacting retail and consumer products companies? PwC's Retail & Consumer KnowledgeBrief provides insights and summaries on restructuring comment letter trends and disclosure reminders, data protection, conflict minerals, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and more.

• PwC’s 2013 Investor Survey
  

  9/25/13 | PwC Investor Resource Institute

  What most concerns investors? What do investors expect of corporate directors? How do investors view the current quality of corporate disclosures? We asked investors about these issues, and the message received is clear: Investors want to know more about the risks that companies have identified, and how they are managing them. And investors are looking for more information.

• Webcast

  Conflict minerals webcast - Looking ahead to the first deadline - September 17, 2013
  

  Assurance services

  Almost 9 months into the first year of compliance, where does your company stand? Do you have a clear path forward to your first conflict minerals filing deadline? Watch this webcast where we share our perspective on the latest developments (including the legal challenge), considerations as you close out your first year of compliance, what to expect in the independent private sector audit – and how to prepare, and examples of how leading companies are addressing their compliance efforts.

• Point of view

  Point of view: Integrated reporting: Going beyond the financial results
  

  8/13/13 | Assurance services

  This Point of view highlights how companies may benefit from integrated reporting in response to stakeholders’ calls for enhanced disclosure of environmental, social, governance and other nonfinancial information. It also outlines the benefits some companies are realizing as they explore integrated reporting.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on whistleblower reform
  

  7/15/13 | Center for Board Governance

  Whistleblower reform is having significant impact. The SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower has one full year of operation under its belt, and with it 3,001 tips and two awards to date. Leading companies are looking closely at the Office’s first-year report and drawing lessons for building stronger ethics and compliance programs. They’re also considering what it takes to create a highly ethical culture. This 10Minutes highlights the importance of having an ethical culture at the workplace.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on eco-efficiency
  

  6/26/13 | Sustainable business solutions

  Eco-efficiency can reduce costs for your company. And there are broader benefits, too: a stronger brand, greater productivity, and mitigated risk. Still, opportunities to save money while reducing your company’s use of energy, transportation fuel, waste, water, forest products or chemicals are often short-changed. Why? It’s most likely due to overlooked-but-valuable information.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on lease accounting
  

  6/4/13 | Assurance services

  After three years of outreach and deliberation, the IASB and FASB recently issued a revised proposal to overhaul the rules on accounting for leases, a move that could significantly boost US companies' reported debt.

• Accounting changes - Pensions (Insights for the investment community)
  

  5/30/13 | PwC Investor Resource Institute

  Given the accounting method typically used by companies to report the effects of plan changes, several have made a discretionary change in how they account for their pension plans to increase the transparency of their accounting and improve their financial reporting.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on why the COSO Update deserves your attention
  

  5/14/13 | Risk Assurance

  COSO has published a PwC-authored update to its framework, the first in over 20 years, which gives you an opportunity to refresh your controls for today's environment.

• Dataline

  Dataline: COSO issues the updated Internal Control-Integrated Framework and related illustrative documents
  

  5/14/13 | Assurance services

  On May 14, 2013, COSO published an updated Internal Control-Integrated Framework and related illustrative documents. This Dataline highlights noteworthy updates to the Framework, summarizes the purpose of the illustrative documents, and highlights key considerations for clients.

• 10Minutes

  10Minutes on conflict minerals
  

  5/9/13 | Assurance services

  10Minutes on conflict minerals provides insight into the strategic benefits and risks companies will want to focus on as they comply with the SEC's conflict minerals rule. The rule is effective for 2013 calendar year operations, so regardless of whether companies view conflict minerals as a supply chain opportunity, risk to their brand or another regulatory to-do, they should act now to prepare.

• M&A snapshot

  We’re acquiring a company with significant in-process research and development (IPR&D) activities. What's next? (M&A snapshot)
  

  4/23/13 | Assurance services

  This edition of Mergers & acquisitions — a snapshot provides an overview of the accounting rules and a glimpse into some of the issues companies face in the accounting and valuation of acquired IPR&D.

• Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Insights from the investment community)
  

  3/5/13 | PwC Investor Resource Institute

  The MD&A requirements call for a discussion of: the historical financial results for the period covered by the financial statements (typically three years), liquidity, capital expenditures, off-balance sheet arrangements, contractual obligations, and known prospective information. They also encourage management to describe matters that are most significant in the company’s circumstances and to avoid boilerplate discussions.

• M&A snapshot

  Financial risk management considerations in an acquisition (M&A snapshot)
  

  12/13/12 | Assurance services

  The acquisition of a business can have a significant impact on both the risk exposures and risk management strategies of the combined entity. In many cases, an acquirer’s financial risk exposure will increase as a result of the acquisition. However, there may be situations in which the acquiree’s operations reduce the acquirer’s current risk exposure. In any event, identifying potential changes in enterprise risks, creating an action plan to address them, and managing changes to risk management strategies post-acquisition are critical to developing short- and long-term solutions for integrating financial risk management considerations in an acquisition.

• M&A snapshot

  Don't let push-down accounting push you around (M&A snapshot)
  

  4/25/12 | Assurance services

  Companies preparing to go public often face a number of issues related to their financial statements. A common issue is whether push-down accounting should be applied. Push-down accounting is the practice of adjusting the standalone financial statements of an acquired company to reflect the basis of accounting of the buyer. This edition of Mergers & acquisitions - a snapshot, provides an overview of the SEC's rules on push-down accounting and a high-level summary of the complexities and opportunities that can arise in applying the rules to common deal structures.

• M&A snapshot

  Did I buy a group of assets or a business? Why should I care? (M&A snapshot)
  

  12/14/11 | Assurance services

  Determining whether an acquired group of assets is a business has proven to be one of the more challenging aspects of applying the current M&A accounting guidance. For many transactions, the determination will be straightforward. However, the current guidance will cause many transactions that are "on the edge," and previously would have been accounted for as asset acquisitions, to be accounted for as business combinations. This edition identifies relevant considerations in determining whether a business has been acquired and why it matters not only upon acquisition but also for disposals and public company reporting.

• M&A snapshot

  Market participants: how their views impact your values (M&A snapshot)
  

  9/26/11 | Assurance services

  In a business combination, buyers are required to record the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of a business at their fair values. Fair value reflects the price that market participants would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability. Assets and liabilities may be used differently by different market participants, resulting in variations in values. Therefore, a market participant's view is an important aspect of the valuation process as a buyer cannot look only to its own intended use of an asset or its ability to transfer a liability at a certain price. This publication provides insight on the identification of market participants, as well as how entities can develop market participant assumptions.

• M&A snapshot

  Noncontrolling interests -- why minority shareholder rights matter (M&A snapshot)
  

  12/16/10 | Assurance services

  The M&A Standards changed how a parent reports the minority shareholder interests in a partially owned subsidiary in its consolidated financial statements. The minority shareholder interests, or noncontrolling interests (''NCI''), are generally presented within equity as if the parent and the minority shareholders have similar economic interests. Previously, NCI were generally presented between liabilities and equity (''mezzanine equity''). This edition focuses on the classification of redeemable NCI and how different minority shareholder rights may lead to different financial reporting by the parent.

• M&A snapshot

  Carve-out Financial Statements--A challenging process (M&A snapshot)
  

  9/30/10 | Assurance services

  In many M&A transactions, companies looking to dispose of non-core businesses or to generate cash may sell only a portion of their operations (e.g., a subsidiary or a business unit). As part of these transactions, a seller may need, or want, to prepare separate financial statements of the operations being sold, commonly referred to as carve-out financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements can be challenging as there is limited guidance covering their composition. This volume of Mergers & Acquisitions - A snapshot, focuses on some of the issues companies may face when preparing carve-out financial statements, how those statements may differ from their own financial statements, and how the M&A Standards may impact...

• M&A snapshot

  The Consolidation Standard--determining who consolidates is just the beginning (M&A snapshot)
  

  3/11/10 | Assurance services

  FASB Accounting Standard Codification Topic 810 incorporates FAS 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)), which is the U.S. standard on consolidation (the Consolidation Standard). The Consolidation Standard is effective as of January 1, 2010 for calendar year end companies and the impact will soon be reported in the first quarter reporting cycle. As a result of applying the new guidance, certain entities may need to be consolidated while other entities may need to be deconsolidated. Determining who consolidates is just the beginning.

• M&A snapshot

  Accounting for contingent consideration - Don't let earnouts lead to earnings surprises (M&A snapshot)
  

  2/25/10 | Assurance services

  In many M&A transactions, when the buyer and seller cannot agree on the total purchase price in an acquisition, the two parties agree to an additional payment, or contingent consideration, based on the outcome of future events. These payments are commonly referred to as earnouts and are typically based on revenue or earnings targets that the acquired company must meet after the acquisition date. The accounting for these arrangements under the M&A Standards represents a significant change from past practice.

• M&A snapshot

  Acquired assets not intended to be used: You may need to record them, even if you don't use them! (M&A snapshot)
  

  11/30/09 | Assurance services

  In many M&A transactions, a buyer may acquire assets it does not intend to use. Prior to the M&A Standards, buyers generally would assign little or no value to assets that are not intended to be used when accounting for an M&A transaction. Now, such assets are required to be recognized at fair value from a market participant perspective, even if that perspective differs from that of the actual buyer. One common type of asset that a buyer does not intend to actively use that is receiving considerable attention is called a "defensive asset."

• M&A snapshot

  Accounting for partial acquisitions and disposals - it's not so simple! (M&A snapshot)
  

  7/1/09 | Assurance services

  Accounting for partial acquisitions and disposals - it's not so simple! In an economic environment where many companies are buying and selling portions of businesses, the M&A Standards will have an impact on how companies account for these types of transactions. At first glance, the fundamental concept of "control" that drives the accounting seems easy to understand. If a company gains control, the acquisition is a business combination. If a company loses control, it deconsolidates the subsidiary. If a company maintains control, the transaction is recorded in equity. Simple, right? Not so fast!

• M&A snapshot

  Doing a deal? Be careful about employee compensation decisions (M&A snapshot)
  

  4/1/09 | Assurance services

  Doing a deal? How will you compensate employees of the target? The new M&A Standards may impact your decision. Determining whether employee arrangements represent compensation for service prior to and/or after the acquisition will have a direct impact on the amount included as purchase price versus the amount expensed in the future. This installment of Mergers & Acquisitions - A snapshot explores some of the more common issues related to employee compensation arrangements typically seen in business combinations... contingent consideration, golden parachutes and stay bonuses, and exchanges of stock compensation awards. Employee compensation decisions agreed upon during deal negotiations could impact the acquirer's future financial results.

• M&A snapshot

  Even your tax rate will change (M&A snapshot)
  

  3/1/09 | Assurance services

  Are you ready for volatility in your effective tax rate? The new M&A standards will likely impact a company's effective tax rate. This impact will be felt by acquisitive companies in all industries, public and private, and as early as the first quarter of 2009 because parts of the new M&A standards apply to prior acquisitions. This installment of Mergers & Acquisitions—A snapshot focuses on how the accounting for merger and acquisition transactions will create volatility in an acquirer's effective tax rate in periods before and after an acquisition.

• M&A snapshot

  Deal or no deal: Why you should care about the new M&A standards (M&A snapshot)
  

  2/1/09 | Assurance services

  Did you know that the new M&A standards could impact your company regardless of whether you plan to close a deal? Given the current economic environment, understanding the new M&A standards may not be a priority for many companies, particularly if M&A activity is not on the horizon in the foreseeable future. However, companies should be careful not to overlook the new M&A standards, as they may have a significant impact, even without a deal. This installment of Mergers & Acquisitions - A snapshot will help you avoid last-minute surprises by understanding how the new accounting and reporting standards for M&A may affect your financial reporting even though you haven’t closed a deal.

• M&A snapshot

  Goodwill impairment testing: What's old is new again (M&A snapshot)
  

  12/1/08 | Assurance services

  Since the adoption of FAS 142, the goodwill impairment standard, the equity markets have generally trended upward. Accordingly, impairments may not have been as frequent as we expect to see them today. This edition of Mergers & Acquisitions - A snapshot, focuses on some of the issues companies may face in preparing goodwill impairment tests in the current environment. It also serves as a refresher on certain aspects of the framework for conducting those tests.

• M&A snapshot

  How timing your transactions in light of the new standards will impact your business and communication with stakeholders (M&A snapshot)
  

  10/1/08 | Assurance services

  Recognizing that the new standards affecting mergers and acquisitions — FAS 141(R) and FAS 160 — will dramatically change the way companies negotiate and account for M&A, PwC has launched the first in a series of publications that will help companies keep abreast of emerging issues resulting from the new standards, as well as provide them with ideas on modifying current strategies and employing new ones for future deals. This first installment of Mergers & Acquisitions - A snapshot focuses on how the accounting treatment for M&A transactions will depend considerably on whether the deal closes before or after the effective date of the new standards.