Hardly anything has proved more adaptive in the past year than the U.S. workforce and who better to share insights on labor issues, remote work, unemployment, new guidance and compliance than the U.S. Department of Labor? Hear from the DOL as well as other auditors on policy, risk and more including:

FEATURED SESSIONS

Keynote Presentation - Inside EBSA
Ever wonder what’s going on at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)? If your answer is all the time then seek no more – we take you inside EBSA, specifically the Office of the Chief Accountant, for discussion and updates related to plan audits, Form 5500 filings and changes to the 2020 Form 5500 to align with SAS 136. We cover common reporting deficiencies, tips for keeping your clients compliant with ERISA and how to make sure your audits remain satisfactory. 
Marcus J. Aron – Acting Chief, Division of Accounting Services, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Washington, DC

Unpack the Audit Relationship with Mergers and Terminations
Mergers and terminations create unique challenges for auditors and plan sponsors. Explore the relationship between partial plan terminations and movement within companies. Plus, gain insight on how to approach plans with decreased enrollment as well as plans that have been orphaned. 
Tricia A. Van Vliet, CPA – Founding Member, The Wellness CPA PLLC, Grand Rapids

Analyzing the Risk Inherent to Atypical and Non-401(k) Plans
There is no shortage of options available for employee benefit plans, though some are more widely used than others. Explore alternatives such as Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and Welfare plans, their associated benefits and risks and procedures for performing full scope audits on each. 
Tricia A. Van Vliet, CPA – Founding Member, The Wellness CPA PLLC, Grand Rapids

COVID-19 Shifts in Risk Assessment and Understanding of the Entity (Qualifies for 1 A&A credit)
Business operations are forever changed as a result of the pandemic. Gain insight on how to overcome professional skepticism, track procedural changes year to year and best practices for auditing in a remote and paperless environment. 
Melissa Critcher, CPA, PC – Owner, M. Critcher, CPA, Charlotte, North Carolina

Breaking Down SAS 136(Qualifies for 1 A&A credit)
In 2019, the AICPA issued Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) 136, prescribing new performance criteria for auditing employee benefit plans. While adoption is optional until next year, prepare yourself now to see a significantly revised audit report of your ERISA plan audits, new inquiries and procedures surrounding your evaluation and for the enhanced communication of reportable findings to management responsible for the plan’s governance.
Pam Slagh, CPA – Director, Central Region ERISA Practice Leader, Employee Benefit Plan Specialist, BDO USA, LLP, West Michigan

SECURE, CARES and Other Recent Legislation and Their Impact on the Audit
When it comes to benefit plans, staying compliant and up to date on internal control matters is always of utmost importance. During this session, our experts will discuss DOL and IRS recent benefit plan legislation and focus areas, as well as common compliance issues in defined contribution and defined benefit plans. We’ll cover internal control matters, including suggestions and best practices to consider during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond to help plan sponsors effectively and efficiently operate and monitor their defined contribution and defined benefit plans.
Laura Taylor – Principal, Employee Benefits Consulting Group, Plante Moran, Grand Rapids
Amanda Grafilo, CPA – Senior Manager, Assurance, Plante Moran, Flint
Bryan El-Ary, JD, CPA – Senior Consultant, Employee Benefits Consulting Group, Plante Moran, Detroit
 
End-of-Day Expert Panel Q&A
The nature of employee benefit plan auditing is complex and while our sessions cover a wide range of ongoing and emerging issues, our expert panel is your chance to get specific. Shape the conversation in this question and answer forum to get informed answers and guidance on your lingering challenges.
Marcus J. Aron – Acting Chief, Division of Accounting Services, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Washington, DC
Lindy J. Beldyga, CPA – Partner, Plante Moran, Flint
Tara J. Frank, CPA – Principal, Rehmann, Saginaw
Moderator: Gary Remer, CPA, Esq. – Member, Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy & Sadler, PLC, Bloomfield Hills

AGENDA

• 08:30 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
• 08:35 AM – Keynote Presentation - Inside EBSA
• 10:10 AM – Unpack the Audit Relationship with Mergers and Terminations
• 11:10 AM – Analyzing the Risk Inherent to Atypical and Non-401(k) Plans
• 12:00 PM – Break for Lunch
• 12:50 PM – COVID-19 Shifts in Risk Assessment and Understanding of the Entity
• 01:50 PM – Breaking Down SAS 136
• 02:50 PM – SECURE, CARES and Other Recent Legislation and Their Impact on the Audit
• 03:50 PM – End of Day Expert Panel Q&A
• 04:50 PM – Program Adjourns

PRICING DETAILS
Register early to take advantage of the best price! Please note, discounted pricing is already reflected in the online price. No promo code is needed.

• Through April 15: $160 MICPA Members / $310 Non-Members
• April 16 - May 21: $180 MICPA Members / $330 Non-Members
• May 22 - June 2: $200 MICPA Members / $350 Non-Members