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Recent market volatility has led to heightened regulatory scrutiny of the integrity of index data. In this episode, Wes Bricker joins Beth Savino to talk about the rise of index investing, and how asset managers can drive transparency while navigating the regulations being implemented to ensure the market functions as designed.We discuss the following questions: 0:40 - What is the current landscape around index investing, and what strategies and challenges have emerged?3:37 - Why are regulators becoming more interested in index investing?6:18 - What do these new regulations mean for asset managers?9:39 - How are we approaching issues in the index transparency space and what are the next steps?

Investors want to know that energy companies are thinking about the appropriate ESG risks and opportunities, and incorporating those topics into the company's strategy. In this episode, Kevin O’Connell and Chuck Chang highlight those risks and opportunities and offer advice to help them to improve their ESG results.We discuss the following questions:0:36 - What are some broad trends in ESG?1:43 - Why is ESG important to the energy sector?3:11 - Why are investors voicing their concerns over ESG and what are they looking for?5:09 - How mature are the sustainability practices in the energy sector?7:01 - What advice do we have for companies to improve their ESG results?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-energy.html

ESG is front and center for boards and leadership teams in the banking and capital markets sector. In this episode, Kevin O’Connell invites Matt Giordano and Corey Merrill to delve into ESG, it’s impact on this industry and what banks are doing to remain competitive.We discuss the following questions:0:36 - Why is it the time for banks to put ESG at the forefront?2:33 - What are banks doing from an ESG perspective to remain competitive?3:40 - How have banks played a catalyst role with ESG?6:16 - What are some of the key ESG factors impacting the banking and capital markets sector?7:26 - How do banks navigate material factors, metrics and disclosures?8:15 - How are banks integrating risks, such as market, credit and operational risks, into their frameworks?10:43 - What are the biggest lessons we’ve learned about the ESG journey?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-banking-capital-markets.html

Regulatory complexities continue to grow, while the pace of new products and services has accelerated and innovation and regulatory technology (RegTech) solutions are becoming commonplace. In this episode, Matt Shelhorse joins Chad Gerhardstein to discuss the need for compliance program effectiveness in this environment, including the key compliance elements and trends in this remote and virtual environment.We discuss the following questions:1:10 - What is compliance effectiveness as we refer to it?2:07 - What are some of the broader trends around compliance, specifically in this heavily remote and virtual environment?5:14 - Where do you see heightened risk and regulatory focus shifting over the next 12 to 18 months?7:57 - How is the existing use of technology and the potential new uses driving change for compliance programs?11:05 - How are we seeing organizations react to and prepare for the recent DOJ sentencing guidelines?15:06 - Is now the right time for initiating new compliance projects and rethinking the overall compliance strategy as well as transformation?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/compliance-effectiveness.html

In this episode, Vrushali Gaud joins Kevin O’Connell to discuss ESG priorities for technology companies, and how they are addressing the challenges and risks associated with stakeholder demands and commitments.We discuss the following questions:0:36 - What is ESG and how are technology sector companies prioritizing it?4:07 - What areas of ESG are top of mind for the technology sector? What commitments are tech companies making?7:57 - What challenges are companies in the technology sector facing?9:51 - How are companies addressing those challenges?11:30 - What role does technology play in being an enabler for ESG beyond the sector?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-technology.html

In this episode, Jenn Kosar joins Kevin O’Connell to discuss the importance of ESG in the Insurance sector, what investors and regulators are expecting, and how top global insurers are implementing ESG strategy.We discuss the following questions:0:34 - Why is ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) so important to the insurance sector?2:20 - How mature are the ESG strategies of the top global insurers?4:45 - What do investors want and what are insurers disclosing? What ESG issues should insurers prioritize, considering stakeholder importance and business value?6:07 - How will climate change impact insurers?8:44 - What is the view of the US and international regulators on ESG and what are their expectations for insurers?11:00 - If there are currently no mandates in the US, why should insurers obtain independent assurance over their ESG activities?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-insurance.html

In this episode, Jennifer Lendler discusses how the pandemic has impacted companies' use of artificial intelligence (AI) and how they can navigate these complexities and build trust in their AI. We discuss the following questions: 0:30 - How has the artificial intelligence landscape evolved in our ever-changing world? 3:01 - Where do you start on this journey to protect and build trust in your AI? 4:28 - What are some questions, focus areas and key activities for anyone that owns or uses AI to consider? 6:49 - What do you need as a roadmap for these changing times? 8:44 - What are some key takeaways around building trust in AI? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/artificial-intelligence-oversight.html

In this episode, Monica Nayar and Mike Bellin join Eric Watson to discuss special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), which are generating a lot of activity in the market. They explain the complexities and challenges and the actions that should be considered as companies navigate towards successful mergers when looking to go public.We discuss the following questions: (below times are dependent on further audio edits)0:50 - How does a SPAC work?2:15 - What are the advantages of a SPAC for a private company?2:49 - How is the merger timeline impacted in this process and what are the challenges companies are facing due to this?6:46 - What are the control challenges in SPAC transactions?8:56 - How are technology and analytics helping companies move through SPAC mergers?12:13 - What are the first steps when a company is looking to undertake this transaction?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/spac-merger-deals.html

In this episode, Ryan Folscroft joins Kevin O’Connell to discuss how environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are impacting the four quadrants of the asset and wealth management (AWM) industry, and how firms are finding operational and commercial value.We discuss the following questions:0:35 - What is ESG and how is it impacting the asset and wealth management industry?3:05 - Are firms finding real operational and commercial value to ESG?5:43 - What are three current hot topics in ESG and the asset and wealth management industry?8:54 - How are companies addressing industry demands and how is PwC helping?12:58 - Based on the current market demand, what is the future vision surrounding ESG?15:03 - What is one key takeaway for our listeners?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-asset-wealth-management.html

Joe Sousa joins Kevin O'Connell to discuss the benefits of data lake technology, and the importance of implementing proper governance standards to help manage the risks associated with this technology.We discuss the following questions:0:36 - What is a data lake?1:42 - What are some of the benefits of data lake technology?2:56 - How are data lakes being leveraged by organizations today?4:56 - How can we ensure data lakes do not get polluted?6:29 - How are organizations establishing trust and transparency for the various stakeholders when they're using a data lake?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/data-lake-technology.html

Companies are increasingly providing their customers more access to data, but how do they know they can trust the data? In this episode, Treesha Govender joins Kevin O'Connell to discuss the importance of providing assurance over data management controls given the increasing demand from regulators and customers.We discuss the following questions:0:36 - What are the key drivers for more extensive assurance over data management controls?2:32 - When should a company think about obtaining assurance over these controls and what framework should they consider using?4:00 - What are the key areas of data governance that companies should focus on?5:06 - What are the benefits of doing a risk assessment of your critical data?5:52 - What are some key takeaways when looking to start this journey?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/data-management-controls-assurance.html

In this episode Stephen D'Arcy joins Erik Nolte to discuss the potential for intelligent controls automation to reduce the cost of compliance and improve quality and confidence in your controls environment. We discuss the following questions: 0:41 - What is intelligent controls automation? 1:56 - What is an example of how it plays out in practice? 3:59 - What are some of the main benefits companies can expect from this solution and what is some of the feedback we’ve heard? 6:08 - What are the drivers that are pushing companies to leverage this automation approach? 8:17 - Are intelligent automation controls relevant to all companies?www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/intelligent-controls-automation-compliance-cost.html

In this episode, Marie Hache joins Kevin O'Connell to discuss the risks associated with communicating ESG claims and commitments made during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of aligning those commitments with your organization's purpose and value.We discuss the following questions:1:49 - With many companies having financial difficulties in the current situation, is ESG still relevant in today’s world?2:47 - Research shows that funds and indices designed with an ESG focus have been outperforming more traditional ones. Are both regulators and customers showing increased interest?4:27 - How do we expect COVID-19 will impact the way companies address ESG and how they demonstrate their value and purpose?6:15 - What are the examples of key considerations to keep in mind related to external disclosures and commitments in the context of COVID-19?7:14 - How could having a multidisciplinary committee in place help mitigate some of the risks?8:44 - Is employee engagement important in meeting these commitments?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-covid-19-commitments.html

In this episode, Julie Holden and Michael Isaac join Lillian Borsa to discuss re-thinking resiliency and the steps you can take now to strategically revise your business continuity management (BCM) program in the wake of COVID-19.We discuss the following questions:2:11 - How do you define business continuity management?3:04 - What are some key lessons that organizations experienced during the pandemic and what they should be thinking of and doing to be better prepared going forward?4:40 - What should organizations be thinking about and doing going forward?9:27 - How are we seeing companies use technology to enable their response?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/rethink-resiliency-business-continuity-covid-19.html

In this episode, Elizabeth McNichol and Carrie Duarte join Jill Pavlus to discuss how data and technology help you manage your operational risks as you implement and monitor your return to work strategy. We discuss the following questions: 0:57 - What areas are organizations focusing on when it comes to de-risking their return to work plans? 4.49 - What are some ways that we are helping our clients with their return to work strategies? 8:08 - Sharing a recent example, how does this all fit together? 10:44 - How are we seeing our clients leverage technology? 11:47 - Can you use an existing GRC technology for this monitoring and framework enablement? 12:44 - How does this environment provide us an opportunity to rethink how de-risking can result in a reduction in cost?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/derisk-return-to-work-technology-data.html

In this episode, Michelle Hubble joins Mike Maali to discuss the focus areas and process to successfully manage a SOX compliance change management program.We discuss the following questions:0:37 - What do organizations need to consider when managing their SOX change process?2:08 - How important is scoping the SOX program first?6:01 - How important is digitally upskilling a SOX program?6:48 - How should you engage stakeholders as you begin to lay out the digitization journey?10:15 - Why should you engage with external auditors in a more informed way while going through this change?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/sox-compliance-change-management.html

In this episode, Jaime Phillips and Jeff Sorensen join Michelle Hubble to discuss the four key pillars to digitizing a SOX compliance program and how to address the associated challenges.We discuss the following questions:0:41 - Why do organizations need to focus on the entire program when looking to digitize a SOX program?2:20 - What are the four key pillars that are important when digitizing a SOX program and the challenges around them?8:18 - What are companies tangibly doing to address these challenges?9:14 - As these technologies are not one size fits all, how should organizations think about the technologies and processes as well as the impact they will have?10:55 - How is a control owner going to benefit from SOX digital capabilities?12:55 - How much time should it take to make sure the business requirements are set before starting to think about technology solutions?14:39 - How can you start using these new digital skills when wanting to test manual controls, automated controls or IT general controls differently?16:14 - What are some additional takeaways when looking to digitize your SOX program?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/pillars-digitize-sox-compliance-program.html

In this episode, Michelle Hubble and Jaime Phillips join Mike Maali to discuss how to rethink your SOX compliance program.We discuss the following questions:0:37 - Why is now a good time to rethink your SOX program?1:13 - As controllers are taking greater ownership of full programs within an organization how does that align with the organization’s objectives?2:38 - How do transformations throughout the organization impact controls and SOX?3:52 - What does a SOX transformation look like?5:06 - What are the expected benefits of a SOX transformation?7:10 - What are key things organizations should do when planning to rethink their SOX program?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/rethinking-sox-compliance-program.html

In this episode, Lauren Massey and Dhiraj Malhotra join Mike Maali to share a real example of how one company got started with internal audit transformation and the tactical next steps you can take to bring this model to life. We discuss the following questions: 0:46 - What activities can help you pull together all of your needs to begin your internal audit transformation? 3:25 - What stakeholders are normally involved in this type of activity? 6:07 - What are typical outputs that come out of this type of activity? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/internal-audit-transformation-steps-case-study.html

In this episode, Gena Wilson joins Kevin O'Connell to discuss how to navigate the risks and challenges associated with migrating to the cloud while continuing to drive trust and transparency to stakeholders.We discuss the following questions:0:44 - Should companies be doing more to confirm the cloud environment they are using is sufficiently secured? 1:34 - What other risks are associated with cloud computing and how can companies manage them? 2:49 - How to maintain control and oversight within the cloud environment? 5:06 - What are we seeing from a regulatory and compliance requirement perspective? 6:33 - How are companies handling requests from their clients around cloud computing? 7:19 - What are companies with SOC reports considering moving to the cloud thinking about? 8:43 - What are some key takeaways when thinking about migrating to the cloud?https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/cloud-risks.html