Publications

PwC's quarterly Private Company Trendsetter Barometer tracks the growth expectations, investment focus, and economic views of privately held US growth businesses. This quarter's report incorporates the views of 225 chief executive officers (CEOs/CFOs): 129 in the product sector and 96 in the service sector.

U.S. accounting standards have become increasingly complex. Many preparers, public and private, struggle to stay current with the latest interpretations of how the standards should be applied and the volume of newly-issued standards. Read this publication for our Point of View on financial reporting for private companies.

"Black swan” events and other external shocks in 2011 exposed vulnerabilities in private companies' risk preparedness. Only a minority say they're very confident that their current risk management strategies will prove effective over the next few years — this at a time when 40% of Trendsetter executives say their companies feel pressure to take on greater risk to pursue growth. As a result, many private companies are rethinking their approach to risk resiliency in an increasingly volatile — and competitive — world.

Our perspective on how private companies can assess risk, implement improvements, and bring value to the business.

As the economy steadily improves, leading private companies in the United States are looking for growth opportunities. With that goal comes the pressure to take on greater risk, both at home and abroad.

This white paper highlights the benefits of strong internal controls for private companies and outlines the steps you can take to help you get there.

In the initial weeks following passage of the new federal healthcare act, privately held companies are trying to determine which provisions will most affect their business. Though it's still too early to gauge the full range and degree of the legislation's impact on private companies, key pressure points are already evident.

Nearly half of private-company CEOs say they expect the health care act's provisions to have a notable financial effect on their organizations. Sixty percent plan to change their companies' benefit plans in response to the healthcare act, while 52% expect to significantly change employee contributions.

As improved IPO conditions emerge with the recovering economy, the number of private companies looking to access the equity markets is growing. While among the most rewarding transactions a company can undertake, an initial public offering is also among the most daunting.

Read this publication for a point of view, guidance, and insights on issues affecting the businesses and personal wealth of private-company owners.

A large majority of US private companies (80%) are adopting specific corporate governance practices — not because they are required to, but because it makes good business sense as they look to increase value for their stakeholders and keep pace with new business realities. Unlike their publicly traded peers, private companies have the freedom and flexibility to incorporate corporate governance as they see fit. Read how they're going about it.

In today’s highly competitive world of compressed margins and slow economic growth, private companies are looking for new ways to boost revenue. One way is via digital marketing — 70% are now doing some form of customer outreach through digital avenues. Within this group, 67% are leveraging social media and mobile devices to that end. Learn more by reading the key findings from our survey.

In today's two-speed economy — where developed markets remain troubled by economic malaise while emerging economies fuel new consumer demands — three-quarters of private-company CEOs are making innovation a top priority, with half of them expecting their innovations to significantly impact the way they do business over the next few years. International companies, especially, are prioritizing innovation (87%), as are those that project higher revenue growth.

Emerging from one of the worst recessions on record, many private US businesses are planning to increase their information technology spending to catch up on deferred IT investment, improve internal operations, and seize new growth opportunities. The biggest impact is expected to come from investment in technologies that enable companies to do more with less.

As private companies look to grow again, they need the right talent to propel their businesses forward. For many of those companies, new skill sets are required, particularly at the management level and in areas key to powering growth. Read our Private Company Trendsetter Barometer Special Topic for insight on how private companies face talent shortages.

After a fiscally conservative couple of years spent paying down debt and building up cash reserves, private-company CEOs are shifting their focus from core concerns (operations, personnel) to more ambitious goals (market expansion, mergers and acquisitions).

This publication is a guide to testing of impairments of long-lived and indefinite-lived assets, including goodwill.

China Outlook is a newsletter published by the PwC Chinese Business Network (CBN) to provide insights into the China marketplace and how that can affect your business.

In our whitepaper, we examine different strategies that may entice companies to enter the Chinese market, discuss the most important obstacles, and conclude with practical guidance on strategies for surmounting these challenges.

This publication provides timely insight on emerging tax issues for private companies and individuals. PCS Tax Insight primarily focuses on significant tax developments for mid size nonpublic companies, partnerships, S-corporations, LLCs and high-net worth individuals.

PwC's Financial Wellness Survey tracks the financial and retirement well-being of working American adults nationwide.

PwC's 2013 year-end guide to tax and wealth management offers guidance for strategic tax planning, managing your portfolio, charitable giving, estate and gift planning, business succession planning and other topics.

This guide examines the real and perceived implementation issues associated with the irrevocable life insurance trust, and provides helpful hints on dealing with insurance companies and the IRS. The trustee of the irrevocable life insurance trust has a variety of tasks. The purpose of this material is to remove the mystery from many of these tasks and to provide direction.

Personal financial planning news, including updates on legislation affecting personal finances, as well as strategies to help you achieve your long-term goals and objectives.

This guide explores the tax implications of various vehicles and strategies related to charitable giving.

PwC's Manufacturing Barometer Survey are conducted quarterly with senior executives of large US manufacturing companies. The executives are interviewed about the current business climate. The surveys summarize key findings based on interviews.