Learning Objectives:

• Analyze changes to the regulatory environment affecting audits of employee benefit plans
• Use peer review program standards and related guidance to effectively perform peer reviews
• Differentiate reporting requirements and effective dates for existing and newly issued professional standards impacting audits of employee benefit plans, such as SAS No. 136, as amended
• Identify recent changes to the peer review checklist for employee benefit plan audit engagements
• Use bolded questions in the EBP checklist to conclude whether an engagement is nonconforming

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze changes to the regulatory environment affecting audits of employee benefit plans
• Use peer review program standards and related guidance to effectively perform peer reviews
• Differentiate reporting requirements and effective dates for existing and newly issued professional standards impacting audits of employee benefit plans, such as SAS No. 136, as amended
• Identify recent changes to the peer review checklist for employee benefit plan audit engagements
• Use bolded questions in the EBP checklist to conclude whether an engagement is nonconforming

NOTE: Because this program is designed to meet the needs of CPAs with 5 years or less years of experience with employee benefit plans we request that you submit a brief professional history/CV to lindsay.wood@aicpa-cima.com so that we may verify that you qualify for this program. You will then be given a code to register for the program, which includes the pre-conference workshop and main conference! This part of the AICPA & CIMA Employee Benefits Conference provides emerging employee benefit professionals tools to fit the variety of pieces they are exposed to in their professional day. From where to start planning to add value to colleagues, to the firm, and the client along the way. Experienced employee benefit professionals will each bring their own jigsaw puzzle piece to fit - from leaders in the profession, in the AICPA Employee Benefit Audit Quality Center to conference leaders – a broad force perspective to complete the picture for this specialized practice area. Those who attend will leave with a cadre of technical checklists, and nontechnical but-work-necessary lists of how to plan and organize projects including the nuances that make some communications beneficial to clients and the firm. Participating will specifically provide: * Pre-conference personalized planning to discern what they are looking to gain from the conference via virtual meetings with discussion leaders for the entire afternoon session and those who will play a cameo role during the conference session.     * Which conference sessions are a must-attend and what to expect as a lead-in or follow-on from those sessions. Which conference sessions provide complementary learning experiences. Participants will also be able to ask some of the speakers for many conference sessions, anything they wish, preplanning to get the best use of conference time.     * Bringing it home: how to learn skills from experienced leaders to expand the firm’s EBP clientele and the participant’s own professional fulfillment in this practice area. Tools, perspectives, and stories of how to claim the ideal place in this area of practice that makes it fun, with resources that help make it fulfilling.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify sessions to attend during remaining days of conference.
• Indicate your goals in attending the conference to mentors and experts.
• Recall EBP training and apply to rest of conference.

The Form 5500 workshop will provide a practical review of the Form 5500 and related schedules. We will explore common practitioner questions and Form 5500 and related schedules' pitfalls. The session is designed for plan administrators, auditors, tax professionals, and preparers who want to learn about Form 5500 as well as expand their knowledge of Form 5500 filings.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify Form 5500/5500-SF specifics
• Indicate changes to the 2021 Form 5500
• Select Form 5500 related schedules and Form 8955-SSA
• Recognize common challenges and how to address them

In this session we will consider the consulting opportunities that arise when reviewing a plan's non-discrimination testing; we'll explore why a plan will never fail testing; and we'll consider the Secure Act Closed Plan rules and what they mean for sponsors.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the consulting opportunities non-discrimination testing presents.
• Determine the various options to pass non-discrimination testing.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the latest initiatives and priorities within the IRS
• Apply the latest regulatory and enforcement developments in planning the EBP engagement and discussing potential issues with plan sponsors

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize typical examples of employee compensation and benefits
• Indicate differences in taxation timing for different types of benefits
• Identify the general tax consequences of various benefits

Learning Objectives:

• Determine why companies may sponsor an ESOP
• Identify how an ESOP is structured
• Differentiate what rules apply differently for an ESOP

Learning Objectives:

• Formulate a better understanding of the peer review process
• Predict from the mistakes of others to better prepare for your firm's review
• Evaluate resources to assist with ongoing practice monitoring

This session will provide a basic overview of ERISA rules and regulations, highlighting certain key elements for plan auditors, as well as an overview from the DOL. This session is the first session of the fundamentals case study.

Learning Objectives:

• Recall the various types of plan document designs and common plan amendments and from the DOL on the auditor's role and the importance of the audits of plans.
• Identify ERISA from an auditor's perspective (plan types, roles of providers, vesting rules, nondiscrimination testing)

The session will provide an overview of planning and risk assessment considerations under AU-C Section 703.

Learning Objectives:

• Use best practices when implementing specific aspects of AU-C Section 703, including engagement acceptance, engagement letters, management responsibilities
• Identify opportunities for educating plan sponsors and audit staff
• Apply relevant plan provisions and linkage to audit response

From the ACA to ERISA to HIPAA and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity (MHPAE) Act, this session will provide an introduction to the tax and regulatory structure of employer-sponsored group health and fringe benefit plans.

Learning Objectives:

• Recall the key federal laws governing group health and fringe benefit plans.
• Identify the basic federal tax and regulatory structure for these benefits.

This session will provide an overview of the key compliance tests for benefit plans. We will cover the auditor’s responsibility related to the testing and impact on the audit. Additionally, we will discuss the impact of common testing failures on the audited financial statements. After attending this session, attendees will be positioned to:

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common compliance tests
• Distinguish the types of compliance tests required for different plan types
• Recognize the impact of common testing failures on the plan audit

Like other tax-exempt entities, employee benefit plan trusts are subject to the unrelated business income (UBI) tax rules of IRC sections 511 through 514. This session will explore potential UBI from alternative investments, special rules for section 501(c)(9) VEBAs, and state income tax matters.

Learning Objectives:

• Formulate an understanding of the basic concepts of unrelated business income including UBI generated by alternative investments.
• Evaluate the challenges of state tax compliance.

This session is part of the fundamentals track case study. This session will dive into understanding the plan documents, including identifying relevant plan provisions of the defined contribution case study, which is utilized for all of the fundamental track sessions.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the different types of plan document designs and common plan amendments
• Recognize relevant plan provisions of the case study to consider risk assessment and develop audit procedures
• Identify a practical example of the AICPA EBPAQC's Plan Document Tool to summarize the relevant plan provisions

The session will provide an overview of concluding and reporting considerations under AU-C Section 703.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify elements of a substantially complete Form 5500
• Select and communicate reportable findings
• Determine the various circumstances impacting auditor’s reports

Learning Objectives:

• Identify updates on the current Audit Quality Study
• Identify the current focus of OCA’s audit quality inspection programs and what distinguishes work that is considered to be best practice
• Distinguish what pitfalls most often plague benefit plan audits and result in rejection of Form 5500 filings
• Identify reporting compliance updates and how to avoid problems

Learning Objectives:

• Assess challenging distribution issues
• Formulate how to resolve distribution problems
• Predict future difficulties with distributions

Learning Objectives:

• Reconstruct an understanding regarding what is involved in the detailed testing of health and welfare claims when an in-house claims testing expert is not available
• Assess best practices for handling PII and PHI during a health and welfare plan claims audit.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize necessary procedures to properly plan an employee benefit plan, through utilization of an example
• Identify risk assessment and the design of and linkage to planned procedures based on risk evaluation by audit area at the assertion level
• Distinguish when ERISA Section 1039a)(3)(C) audits are appropriate
• Recall SOC 1 report and its impact on planned procedures and risk assessment

Learning Objectives:

• Determine what professionals should be thinking about when dealing with qualified plans sponsored by employer involved in M&A
• Apply the main operational risks for those qualified plans
• Analyze the impacts on nondiscrimination testing and coverage

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate and solve a difficult client situation, applying the technical rules, taking into account practical considerations and understanding risks inherent in alternative approaches
• Formulate a network of professionals who can be called upon to discuss difficult technical issues presented by clients
• Assess the importance of knowing the intent of a rule and how that intent can be used to benefit your client

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize how the nature of information to be used as audit evidenced in an employee benefit plan has evolved.
• Describe how SAS No. 142, Audit Evidence, addresses what constitutes audit evidence.
• Identify ways in which auditors might test the accuracy and completeness of information to be used as audit evidence that is electronically initiated, recorded, processed, or reported.

Learning Objectives:

• Compare the benefit payment testing procedures with defined contribution plans
• Determine the key census data points (demographic, status, accrued benefit and benefit amount) used in defined benefit plans, and why it is important that it be accurate
• Choose an audit plan to address the unique issues of annuity buy-outs and de-risking

Learning Objectives:

• Interpret the most common definitions used in plans
• Assess when a definition of compensation must be tested under nondiscrimination testing
• Evaluate the difference between regular compensation and post-severance compensation
• Formulate the definition of compensation in a plan
• Predict common compensation errors and what to do about them

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize necessary procedures to properly plan an employee benefit plan, through utilization of an example
• Discuss risk assessment and the design of and linkage to planned procedures based on risk evaluation by audit area at the assertion level
• Consider when ERISA Section 1039a)(3)(C) audits are appropriate
• Review SOC 1 report and its impact on planned procedures and risk assessment

Learning Objectives:

• Identify ways to leverage technology to increase EBP audit effectiveness
• Recognize opportunities to improve quality and efficiency in your EBP practice

Learning Objectives:

• Indicate the appropriate tools used in plan benchmarking.
• Distinguish how to apply benchmarking data to provide actionable feedback to clients.
• Identify why plan benchmarking is such an important practice for plan sponsors.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze fiduciary duties retained when using the new Pooled Employer Plans or Multiple Employer Plans and how to look for a deal that IS too good to be true.
• Identify fiduciary insurance coverage issues considering recent and ongoing litigation trends.
• Determine ESOP fiduciary claim trends and update on litigation.

Learning Objectives:

• Select EBPAQC tools to perform efficient EBP audits.
• Recall best practices to improve audit quality.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize common financial statement and reporting errors
• Distinguish recommendations on how to identify mistakes within the financial statements
• Indicate tools which can assist with accurate and complete financial reporting and disclosures

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about AICPA tax advocacy initiatives
• Learn about AICPA financial literacy tools for plan sponsors and plan participants
• Learn about AICPA tax tools

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish what basic requirements the ACA imposed on group health plans, and the tax implications of failures to meet these requirements.
• Analyze how the ACA affects particular types of arrangements.
• Determine what responsibilities employers have to offer and report group health plan coverage.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the purpose of a SOC 1 report and the different components of the report
• Determine efficient ways to summarize and evaluate information in SOC 1 reports
• Recognize user auditor responsibilities in regard to SOC 1 reports
• Identify ways to maximize the value of SOC 1 reports when performing an audit of an employee benefit plan

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key categories of ESG sustainability and various filters or approaches for each.
• Analyze the market's implementation of ESG and the evaluation of investments including this approach.
• Assess key considerations of Plan Sponsors and others involved with qualified plan investments with respect to ESG.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the various contribution types that are typical in a defined contribution plan, review the annual limits, and understand the participant and employer contributions based on the fundamental track case study's plan provisions, considering eligibility and eligible compensation for each type of contribution
• Recall the risk assessment of relevant assertions and the planned audit procedures of the case study
• Indicate sampling and testing procedures utilizing examples from the case study for payroll, definition of compensation, participant eligibility, participant data, contributions, and the timely remittance of contributions
• Recognize common errors found in testing of contributions, eligibility and participant data

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common types of Alternative Investments and the unique considerations in an EBP audit
• Determine effective risk assessment and auditing procedures for these types of investments

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the statutory framework that governs deductions for deferred compensation.
• Identify how these rules apply to particular arrangements.
• Differentiate how to spot issues affecting who may deduct deferred compensation and when.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze fraud risk areas related to benefit plans based on actual recent fraud cases
• Determine plan sponsor and auditor responsibilities

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common deficiencies found by Peer Review and the Department of Labor
• Analyze changes in documentation required by SAS No. 136
• Determine best practices which can help practitioners more effectively and efficiently document their audits.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the various contribution types that are typical in a defined contribution plan, review the annual limits, and understand the participant and employer contributions based on the fundamental track case study's plan provisions, considering eligibility and eligible compensation for each type of contribution
• Recall the risk assessment of relevant assertions and the planned audit procedures of the case study
• Indicate sampling and testing procedures utilizing examples from the case study for payroll, definition of compensation, participant eligibility, participant data, contributions, and the timely remittance of contributions
• Identify common errors found in testing of contributions, eligibility and participant data

Learning Objectives:

• 1) Determine applicable auditing standards for 2021 audits
• 2) Identify the impact of not yet effective standards on future audits
• 3) Analyze recent accounting guidance which could impact financial statement reporting
• 4) Analyze tips on where to find relevant tools and resources

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key equity award vehicles and the corresponding pros and cons of each.
• Indicate the high-level tax and accounting ramifications for different types of equity awards.
• Recognize recent trends in the design of equity awards and how they impact both employees and employers.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish areas where plans have the greatest errors and how the IRS works with the plan sponsor to make corrections when the facts or the proposed correction may be outside the examples within the Revenue Procedure.
• Determine how to use self correction when the plan is chosen for an enforcement examination.
• Analyze, with examples, how a slight change in the facts can change what options may be available in EPCRS.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize various approaches for developing your technical expertise and network of professionals that can help you develop and maintain your expertise
• Select a network of professionals that you can reach out to for mentoring and assistance with tough career issues
• Identify mentors and subordinates who can help you develop and whom you can help develop

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the various types of distributions (retirement, rollovers, hardships, loans, etc.), vesting and forfeitures, as well as the different forms of payment (lump sum, annuities).
• Recall the risk assessment of relevant assertions and the planned audit procedures of the case study.
• Indicate sampling and testing procedures for distributions (including vesting and forfeitures), participant loans, and hardships utilizing examples from the fundamental track case study.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify ways to Increase Individual and Team Performance
• Recognize how to Break Through Barriers and Trepidation
• Distinguish the Shift From “Have To” to “Get To”

Hear from the cyber experts behind one of the top recordkeepers for 401(k) plans and an attorney who helps plan sponsors protect against cybercrime as well as works to ensure compliance with reporting requirements. This session will give you the latest knowledge about what the protocols are for protecting participants plan accounts. It will include what participants need to do to ensure for best protection. Plan Sponsors will hear about the dangers of ransomware payments from a unique perspective.

Learning Objectives:

• Asses what recordkeepers do behind the scenes to keep ahead of hackers and the real stories of “what could have been”.
• Evaluate protection Best Practices for the Fiduciary/Plan Sponsor and Participant perspective.
• Interpret how complying with ransomware can lead down an unintended path for terrorist complicity.

Learning Objectives:

• Apply GAAP, and tax treatment for mergers, terminations and spinoffs
• Analyze to financial and Form 5500 reporting and common pitfalls
• Identify audit procedures relating to these events as well as incorporating the new standards

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze common errors and current correction methods given most recent EPCRS
• Identify and understand the potential impact on reporting and communications

This session will consist of an overview of MEP, PEPs and MEWAs from the lens of Multiple Employer Plan service providers. We will discuss changes in the Multiple Employer Plan environment and common obstacles faced by service providers while building out PEP plans on their respective platforms. Our panel of experts will discuss recent guidance applicable to MEPs and PEPs and how this could potentially impact the audit process.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate how the Secure Act and PEP Plan rollouts will potentially impact the retirement plan marketplace.
• Interpret operational and compliance aspects that are specific to MEPs and PEPs that may impact your audit procedures.
• Assess with service providers how PEPs are currently operating to understand how to better bid and plan applicable audit procedures for these new plan types

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key characteristics of various investments commonly held in plans, including insurance products, common/collective trust funds, pooled separate accounts, mutual funds, and self-directed brokerage accounts.
• Recall the risk assessment of relevant assertions and the planned audit procedures of the case study
• Indicate sampling and testing procedures utilizing examples from the fundamentals track case study for investments and investment income
• Identify some of the unique financial reporting requirements for investments

Learning Objectives:

• Recall a better understanding of those issues that are facing accounting and tax professionals who work in employee benefit plans.
• Identify upcoming priorities for the new year

The session will provide an overview of planning and risk assessment considerations under AU-C Section 703.

Learning Objectives:

• Apply relevant plan provisions and linkage to audit response
• Identify opportunities for educating plan sponsors and audit staff
• Use best practices when implementing specific aspects of AU-C Section 703, including engagement acceptance, engagement letters, management responsibilities

Learning Objectives:

• Determine how to automate risk assessment and SOC 1 analysis
• Identify how to use electronic data to test relevant plan provisions on a full population
• Distinguish how to use full population attribute testing and SOC 1 analysis to dramatically reduce sample testing

Learning Objectives:

• Recall tools and infrastructure leveraged to improve audit quality
• Identify instances to utilize data analytics techniques to detect and mitigate data exposure and fraud (e.g. trend analysis, predicting data leak vulnerabilities and measuring the effectiveness of data protection controls)
• Identify the value proposition of data analytics
• Recognize the capabilities and limitations of data analytics

Learning Objectives:

• Formulate your plan design techniques to benefit owners using complex testing options
• Assess alternative strategies in changing a “failing” test to a “passing” test
• Evaluate options for failing tests
• Identify design features and can require Benefits Rights and Features testing

Learning Objectives:

• Use an overview of accounting and auditing guidance in the new chapter
• Analyze key auditing considerations for auditing contributions in a multi-employer plan
• Identify key auditing considerations for auditing census data in a multi-employer plan

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the nuances of the rules for prohibited transactions, including the differences between the IRS and the DOL rules
• Assess the questions to ask your client so that all possible prohibited transactions are uncovered, hoping before being entered into.
• Apply client facts to the rules to determine if a prohibited transaction exists and the best way to correct the transactions

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize common "opportunities" for improvement for both the auditor and the client.
• Identify solutions and tools to address common obstacles in project management
• Distinguish with peers the best practices for common issues encountered at each phase of an EBP engagement

Learning Objectives:

• Identify presentation requirements for defined contribution plans; review financial statements and excerpts of communications to management and those charged with governance relevant to the fundamental case study sessions.
• Recognize audit procedures necessary related to Form 5500, compliance/nondiscrimination testing, and supplementary schedules.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the stock right exception in section 409A and limitations on the exception
• Interpret payroll implications of equity compensation
• Identify common errors in equity compensation applications

Learning Objectives:

• Determine how audit procedures for an ESOP differ from those for other defined contribution plans
• Identify risks which are unique to an ESOP audit
• Identify financial reporting presentation and disclosure matters which are unique to an ESOP
• Identify documentation best practices

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the unique features of a health and welfare plan.
• Identify audit considerations that are unique to a health and welfare plan.
• Identify unique reporting requirements for health and welfare plans.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the array of available technical resource materials.
• Identify techniques that will help you stay up to date with latest news and guidance.
• Distinguish what participants may be viewing.

Learning Objectives:

• Recall answers to outstanding questions in areas of an EBP audit.
• Indicate your clarification or dig deeper on items discussed during the Fundamental Track sessions.

Learning Objectives:

• Select answers from audience questions related to benefit plans in your EBP practice.
• Recognize issues facing audit and tax professionals who work in employee benefit plans.
• Indicate best practices to apply to your EBP practice.