Discuss changes, challenges and expert insights with your colleagues in the employee benefit plan audit world as you consider updates in guidance and from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Looking for live instruction and networking opportunities? Join us for the in-person option instead.

Program Agenda

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM
Welcome & Announcements

8:35 AM – 9:25 AM
Peer Review & Corrections: Best Practices for Avoiding Deficiencies (1.0 Accounting & Auditing)
Last December, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), conducted a survey of employee benefit plan (EBP) audits filed in 2020 and found 30% contained major deficiencies. Take an in-depth study of the peer review process, including common findings related to hot topics like AU-C 703, and best practices for avoiding deficiencies and other findings.
Marilee Lau, CPA – Retired KPMG Partner, Kentfield, CA

9:25 AM – 10:15 AM 
Unique Audit Issues of Defined Benefit Plans (1.0 Accounting & Auditing)
Auditors of defined benefit plans are no strangers to their unique characteristics. Be prepared for DB plan audits by diving into testing of benefit payments and census data, termination and liquidation basis of accounting specifics, applying SAS 143, and everything in between.
Amanda Grafilo, CPA – Audit Senior Manager, Plante Moran, Macomb
David Thornton, CPA – Audit Manager, Plante Moran, Southfield

10:25 AM – 11:15 AM
When All Else Fails: Noncompliance and Operational Deficiencies (1.0 Accounting & Auditing)
What happens when an audit reveals issues with an organization’s management of employee benefit plans (EBPs)? Analyze the implications of noncompliance and operational failures associated with EBPs, including reporting requirements.
Erin (Swaney) Breit, CPA – Audit Partner, BDO USA, LLP, Denver, CO
Alyse Jeno-Campion, CPA – Assurance Director, BDO USA, LLP, Sterling Heights

11:15 AM – 12:05 PM
Plan Documents, Decoded (1.0 Accounting & Auditing)
How to use a plan's IPS to quickly understand the plan environment, evaluate internal controls, assess risks, design audit procedures, and document and communicate your findings.
Stewart Frank, CPA/PFS, AIFA – Co-Founder, Precision Fiduciary Analytics Inc., Bingham Farms
Eric Smith, JD – Chairman & CEO, Decision Technologies Corporation, Troy

12:05 PM – 12:55 PM
Break for Lunch

12:55 PM – 1:45 PM
Stand Back: SAS 145 Coming Through! (1.0 Accounting & Auditing)
Now effective for audits of financial statements, AICPA Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) 145 enhances and clarifies components of material misstatement risk identification and assessment. Explore the major provisions of SAS 145 and how they apply to employee benefit plan audits. Plus, discover the power of SOC 1 reports!
Erin (Swaney) Breit, CPA – Audit Partner, BDO USA, LLP, Denver, CO
Kendra Dodson, CPA – Managing Director, Grant Thornton LLP, Southfield

1:45 PM – 3:15 PM
A DOL Forecast (1.8 Accounting & Auditing)
How will regulatory developments impact this season’s benefit plan audits? Find out as Marcus Aron from the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of the Chief Accountant shares insights from the regulatory landscape, top reasons Form 5500 is rejected, ongoing compliance initiatives and findings from the DOL year-long audit quality study. 
Marcus Aron, CPA, CGMA – Chief, Division of Accounting Services, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C.

3:25 PM – 4:25 PM
EBP Expert Panel: Let’s Get Specific! (1.2 Accounting & Auditing)
Employee Benefit Plans (EBP) underwent significant changes once again with the recent passage of the SECURE Act 2.0 provisions. Bring your burning questions about all things EBP to our expert panel for informed solutions and guidance on these provisions and other areas of challenge. 
Marcus Aron, CPA, CGMA – Chief, Division of Accounting Services, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C.
Julie Killian, CPA – Principal, Rehmann, Troy
Jayme Moerdyke, CPA – Manager, Plante Moran, Southfield
Moderator: Gary Remer, CPA, Esq. – Member/Attorney, Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy & Sadler, PLC, Bloomfield Hills

4:25 PM
Adjournment

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 16: $210 MICPA Members/ $360 Non-Members
April 17 - April 30: $230 MICPA Members/ $380 Non-Members
May 1 - May 14: $250 MICPA Members/ $400 Non-Members