Advanced Audits of 401(k) Plans: Best Practices and Current Developments Webinar
Mar 19 9:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Online
8-A&A CPE Credits
As we saw from the recent United States Department of Labor review of employee benefit plan audits, auditors need to raise their game in order to provide the quality audits that plan stakeholders demand. The AICPA has reacted by issuing a proposed SAS that will significantly impact how audits of these plans will be performed. Now is the time to get up to speed on these significant issues and changes occurring in the world of 401(k) plan audits.
In this advanced course, we will discuss both the existing and new rules and regulations unique to employee benefit plans as well as provide practical guidance on their application. The most common compliance issues identified in 401(k) audits will be explored along with recommended corrections. Auditors will identify best practices for handling specific issues that arise during the course of the engagement related to payroll and compensation, participant loans, hardship distributions, investments, plan mergers/acquisitions, etc. Efficient audit techniques that can be utilized in various audit engagements will also be identified. This is the course to take to help you improve the quality of your 401(k) benefit plan audits. Highlights
*Annual update of the changes affecting 401(k) plans * Compliance issues associated with eligibility and enrollments, remittances, lack of oversight, compensation, vesting, etc. * Best practices for engagement planning, internal controls, risk assessment, and detailed testing * How to avoid common mistakes made while performing audit procedures * Plan mergers and acquisitions * Common audit reporting and disclosure issues * Proposed changes in the AICPA's proposed SAS on auditing employee benefit plans
Prerequisites:
Detailed understanding of auditing defined contribution plans
Speaker(s)
Melissa Critcher
Melissa G. Critcher, CPA
Melissa is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (AICPA) and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public
Accountants (NCACPA). She has served in various roles with the NCACPA including
member of the Board of Directors, committee member for the Accounting and
Attestation Committee, as well as local chapter positions.
Melissa’s background in accounting includes more than 15 years
experience in public accounting specializing in auditing defined contribution and defined benefit employee benefit plans
as well as manufacturing, distribution, and professional service organizations.
Her public accounting experience includes a position as a senior
audit manager with Greer & Walker, LLP in Charlotte,
North Carolina, a manager at a regional firm in Raleigh, North Carolina prior
to re-locating to Charlotte. Melissa also worked with a local firm in Winston-Salem. During
her career, Melissa has been responsible for managing the employee benefit
plan niche, marketing and business development, and conducting in-house training seminars.
Since 2002 Melissa has led discussion seminars on the AICPA’s
Audits of 401(k) Plans for the NCACPA. Additional seminars include Audit
Documentation and Review, Employee Benefit Plan Audits, and Small Business Audits. Ms.
Critcher received the AICPA Outstanding Instructor Award in 2011, 2012, and
2013.