Learning Objectives:

• Analyze auditing and reporting requirements for audits of employee benefit plans including recent changes to professional standards and their impact on employee benefit plan audits
• Identify recent changes to the peer review checklist for employee benefit plan audit engagements
• Use real-life examples identified in peer review audits and compare the impact of various matters

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze auditing and reporting requirements for audits of employee benefit plans including recent changes to professional standards and their impact on employee benefit plan audits
• Identify recent changes to the peer review checklist for employee benefit plan audit engagements
• Use real-life examples identified in peer review audits and compare the impact of various matters

Learning Objectives:

• Identify Form 5500/5500-SF specifics
• Indicate changes to the 2023 Form 5500
• Identify Form 5500 related schedules and Form 8955-SSA
• Recognize common challenges and how to address them

Learning Objectives:

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

This session is an advanced discussion on unique ESOP considerations. As an ESOP plan matures, certain administration and compliance issues may arise. These include managing cash and distributions, complying with Statutory Diversification Rules, allocating shares to newer participants after all the shares have been acquire and section 409(p) testing.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify unique ESOP rules
• Evaluate methods to address issues that arise for mature ESOPs

Learning Objectives:

• Better understand the findings and common deficiencies the DOL identified in their audit quality study and whey they continue to occur.
• Perform benefit plan audits with a better understanding of deficiencies commonly identified by the DOL.
• Assist clients with enforcement letters received from the DOL.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the various types of health care accounts, including how the accounts are funded, applicable contribution limits, and how benefits can be paid from the accounts
• Distinguish how employers set up various health care accounts and what administrative requirements, if any, apply to each.
• Identify the basic issues, if any, under the Affordable Care Act that come into play when considering health care accounts.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify applicable auditing standards for 2023 audits
• Indicate the impact of not-yet-effective standards on future audits
• Identify recent accounting guidance that could impact financial statement reporting
• Recognize tips on where to find relevant tools and resources
• Identify potential risks related to nondisclosure agreements and restricted use clauses.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine how eligible compensation is defined in various plans.
• Identify what is audited in relation to definitions of compensation in the various types of plans.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine what defines an ESOP, key terminology, and how ESOPs differ from other defined contribution plans
• Recognize relevant provisions and unique concepts of a leveraged ESOP

Learning Objectives:

• Recall the various types of plan document designs, common plan amendments, and decisions 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)

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the types of organizations that can have a 403(b).
• Distinguish the requirements for 403(b) and the difference from 401(k)
• Assess prototype documents

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common types of compensation that are frequently paid to executives and their key characteristics.
• Recognize how executive compensation arrangements can be designed to align company objectives with employee incentives.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify what auditors are finding related to definitions of compensation issues
• Determine the best-in-class practices related to applying definitions of compensation
• Identify correction methodologies for errors found in applying definitions of compensation
• Calculate reporting impact of findings and corrections

Learning Objectives:

• Formulate unique auditing considerations for an ESOP audit, including risk assessment
• Assess ESOP accounting concepts
• Recognize proper ESOP reporting

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

Learning Objectives:

• Identify recent trends in the area of executive compensation and apply those to clients
• Interpret recent legislative updates and guidance to identify what changes may be required to current compensation arrangements for compliance

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the specific risks of a first-year audit engagement.
• Apply audit guidance related to initial benefit plan audits.
• Identify the unique characteristics of defined contribution and defined benefit plans as they relate to initial plan audits.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the various compliance programs available with the IRS and DOL to bring plans into compliance and understand the main components of those programs
• Assess the overall project required to bring a plan back into full compliance and identify and organize the key milestones for doing so

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key areas for current enforcement actions.
• Identify the approach taken during the enforcement actions.
• Apply the knowledge learned to questions that plan sponsors should be asked when providing value added services to your engagement.

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 103(a)(3)(C) audits are appropriate
• Recall SOC 1 report and its impact on planned procedures and risk assessment

Join us for day 1 of our Virtual Networking Roundtable Discussions. (check back for direct links to each table to be listed below) Topics include: * SOC 1 Q&A     * Technology in your Audits     * Non-Traditional Staffing     * Growing Your Benefit Plan Practice     * Lessons Learned & Future Solutions     * Cyber Security Stories

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize testing requirements for qualified plans.
• Identify corrective options for failed tests

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key provisions of SAS 145
• Distinguish the new risk assessment standards from the existing standards
• Apply the new standards to audits of employee benefit plans

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common plan operational errors and required corrective actions.
• Analyze the impact operational errors have on plan financial statements and required communications with plan management and those charged with governance.
• Recognize IRS and DOL programs to correct operational errors.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify frauds related to EBPs based on actual recent cases.
• Indicate procedures to identify fraud and key controls to mitigate fraud risks.

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 103(a)(3)(C) audits are appropriate
• Recall SOC 1 report and its impact on planned procedures and risk assessment

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish career risks and rewards for informed decision-making.
• Identify mindset shifts to navigate worst-case scenarios and setbacks.
• Indicate practical tools to align personal goals with professional success.

Learning Objectives:

• Automation to mitigate risks through 100% testing of population
• How to reduce manual preparation time by 50% along with a thorough audit trail
• How 360-degree analysis enables higher audit efficiency

Learning Objectives:

• The key characteristics of a delivery model that matters to your clients
• The role of employee satisfaction in EBP audit practices
• Impacts that a good or bad resource strategy has on the success of your firm

Learning Objectives:

• Identify tax consequences of emerging benefits
• Analyze areas of IRS focus on fringe benefits

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize issues in auditing different types of defined benefit payments.
• Identify contribution requirements in a defined benefit plan.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the current trends affecting the employee benefit plan industry, including regulatory changes.
• Identify the primary issues and challenges faced by benefit plan sponsors and gain insights on how to proactively address them.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the advantages of offshoring in the context of employee benefit plan auditing, including potential cost savings, expanded resources, and increased efficiency.
• Assess the potential challenges and disadvantages associated with offshoring, such as data security concerns, communication issues, and client perceptions.

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:

• Differentiate partner compensation issues from those of an employee
• Determine the tax consequences of partner compensation

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key assumptions used in the computation of the actuarial present value of accumulated plans benefits.
• Recognize different ways to audit census data used in the computation of the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits.

Learning Objectives:

• Interpret how others may have varying answers for questions that leave good faith or judgement as a professional standard.
• Formulate techniques to substantiate your documentation for any gaps applied to decisions in relation to SECURE 2.
• Select questions for the audience and the group to analyze that are factually specific.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the different constituents serving employee benefit plans and the nature of a plan's transactions with these constituents.
• Evaluate various transactions executed by ERISA plans to determine the permissible party in interest transactions.
• Assess potential corrections when prohibited transactions are identified.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the various contribution types that are typical in a defined contribution plan and review the annual limits.
• Identify 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:

• Determine important provisions within SECURE 2.0 that impact plan design and operations.
• Distinguish mandatory and permissive changes made to existing distribution rules and how to apply effective dates of these changes.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common deficiencies in documentation found in peer reviews and by the DOL.
• Distinguish the fundamental principles of documentation and how well documented workpapers can lead to improved understanding and effectiveness..
• Identify the "good", the "bad", and the "ugly" in documentation using illustrative examples.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify what makes a MEP structurally different from a Single Employer and Multiemployer Plan
• Recognize accounting issues impacting MEPs and share best practices for addressing reporting risks
• Recognize auditing issues impacting MEPs and share best practices for addressing audit risks

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze and review typical health and welfare plan offerings
• Compare and discuss audit testing for different plan features and types

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.

Melt away stress with our virtual relaxation session! Enjoy a guided visualization set to calming music that will ease away any tension in your body and leave your mind feeling focused & refreshed. Feel free to have an eye pillow, blanket or bolster for under your knees, but props are not required. Beginners welcome. Videos will be off during the session. 15 minutes

*Please submit the online waiver here prior to joining the session

Learning Objectives:

• Identify tactics to reduce your stress burden / load
• Identify mindset shifts to respond, no matter how much stress is in your environment.

Continue the conversation and join us for day 2 of our Virtual Networking Roundtable Discussions. (check back for direct links to each table to be listed below) Topics include: * SOC 1 Q&A     * Technology in your Audits     * Non-Traditional Staffing     * Growing Your Benefit Plan Practice     * Lessons Learned & Future Solutions     * Cyber Security Stories

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize updates made to EPCRS.
• Determine how to use self-correction when the plan is chosen for an enforcement examination.
• Analyze common corrections and errors.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key areas and potential risks in these transactions
• Assess audit procedures and reporting requirements.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how new technology options can facilitate an efficient, high-quality audit.
• Recognize how to better position your firm for the future by adopting or advancing your tech stack.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify emerging trends in 401(k) plan design such as automatic enrollment, employer Roth Contributions, and withdrawal options.
• Analyze which optional changes should be considered and implemented soon and determine other options that may need additional guidance.

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:

• Identify what to look for in plan document amendments to reflect current operations during the remedial amendment periods available to Prototype and due dates for Individually Designed Documents.
• Evaluate why compliance may be affected when the IRS does not provide sample language for mandatory amendments.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize material inconsistencies between the Form 5500 and the financial statements
• Apply practical tips to efficiently review a Form 5500 by going through an illustrative Form 5500 from an auditor and plan sponsor's perspective.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze and review typical health and welfare plan offerings
• Compare and discuss audit testing for different plan features and types

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize recent compensation and benefits trends
• Identify tax consequences of compensation and benefits trends

Learning Objectives:

• Identify presentation requirements for defined contribution plans.
• Indicate 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:

• Identify insights into the latest regulatory changes and updates affecting employee benefit plans, including issues faced by plan sponsors, accounting, auditing, and tax professionals who work with employee benefit plans.
• Recognize the perspective for regulators on key compliance issues to help align your practice with current expectations.
• Identify opportunities in guidance issued by government regulators.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize AICPA-related resources
• Identify the wealth of government-provided tax resources at your fingertips
• Recall practitioner favorites that could provide useful in your practice

Learning Objectives:

• Recall AICPA’s approach to addressing audit quality issues noted in the 2023 DOL audit quality study
• Select EBPAQC tools and resources that address audit quality issues noted in the study
• Identify new EBPAQC resources

Learning Objectives:

• Recall information about your EBP Practice with peers
• Recognize methodology and practice management of other firms that audit a similar number of EBP audits
• Identify top issues your firm is facing while networking with your peer group.

Learning Objectives:

• Recall your respective EBP practices with your peers.
• Recognize and discuss methodology and practice management of other firms that audit a similar number of EBP audits.
• Identify top issues your firm is facing alongside your peer group and discuss solutions other firms have implemented.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the role of AI and data analytics in the EBP industry and how they can revolutionize data management, reporting, and decision-making
• Determine how to harness AI and data analytics to identify anomalies, trends, and compliance issues within EBP data, leading to more effective audits and operational improvements.
• Choose best practices when utilizing AI for presentations and discuss necessary precautions.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate requirements relating to 103(a)3(c) certifications and common errors in certifications.
• Evaluate common errors in disclosures of financial statements.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key issues that must be addressed post-close.
• Interpret what a normal post-close timeline looks like and potholes to avoid.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common issues found in peer review findings.
• Apply practical examples to avoid common issues found in peer review findings.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key characteristics of classifying investments commonly held in plans, including insurance products, FBRICs, collective trust funds, pooled separate accounts, mutual funds, and self-directed brokerage accounts.
• Assess common financial reporting errors made by plan sponsors and administrators in reporting plan investments.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the basic rules that aggregate entities, including attribution rules.
• Analyze whether entities will be aggregated in particular fact patterns.
• Recognize differences between the section 52 aggregation rules and the section 414 aggregation rules.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify when and why ITGCs are relevant for EBP audits
• Analyze common IT risk in EBP audits and the common controls that would mitigate those risks, including the applicability of CUECs of the ITGC environment at a plan sponsor

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:

• Identify industry challenges related to employee benefit plans.
• Recall best practices related to employee benefit plans.