Employee benefit plan audits have always presented unique challenges and practice risks. This basic to intermediate course will address these challenges and provide the skills needed to avoid the most common deficiencies identified by the DOL. Avoid the most common deficiencies identified by the DOL and peer reviewers. Plan a defined contribution 401(k) audit. Identify unique employee benefit plan (EBP) audit risks including the risk of fraud. Perform the level of service requested by plan. Perform required audit testing. Consider the SOC report. Identify and effectively document the required procedures. Prepare U.S. GAAP and DOL compliant financial statements.
DESIGNED FOR
Practitioners in public accounting firms that audit defined contribution pension plans
emphasizing 401(k) plans.
BENEFITS
- Audit defined contribution plans in accordance with GAAS and DOL requirements
- Identify audit risk areas for defined contribution plans
- Develop and perform appropriate audit testing to address these assessed audit risks
- Avoid mistakes and deficiencies in preparing GAAP and DOL financial statements
HIGHLIGHTS
- Identifying when an audit is required
- A review of current and pending accounting and auditing standards
- Common audit and reporting deficiencies, including those identified in the recent DOL Audit Quality Study and peer reviews
- Unique audit planning characteristics in EBP audits
- Difficult audit areas found in EBP engagements
- Limited scope and full scope audit requirements
- Recent changes to EBP Audit Guide
- Financial statement reporting and disclosure requirements with examples
- ASC 820 fair value accounting measurement, disclosure and reporting changes and issues
- Updating and documenting the risk assessment
- Changes in requirements for Form 5500
- Importance of testing of participant data as well as contributions and payment
- Identifying related party and party-in-interest and prohibited transactions
- Reporting for DOL Required Supplemental Information
- Communication required with those charged with governance
PREREQUISITES
Experience in conducting EBP audits would be helpful.
ADVANCE PREPARATION
None
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Course materials are distributed electronically. To access the materials visit
My Events. Download to your laptop or tablet prior to the seminar, handouts are added as received.