Advanced Audits of 401(k) Plans: Best Practices and Current Developments (X1-AAFP-2025-01-WEBNR-73-01)

Melissa G. Critcher attended Appalachian State University where she received a BS in Accounting. Throughout the course of her career, she has had the opportunity to work with small and large, local and regional firms across North Carolina. Currently, Melissa has her own practice located in Charlotte, NC. She has extensive experience in auditing and accounting, which includes manufacturing, professional service, healthcare, and retail industries with a specialization in employee benefit plans. Currently, her practice concentrates on auditing employee benefit plans and consulting with CPA firms and plan sponsors. Melissa’s experience has led to various opportunities, which include teaching numerous continuing professional education courses for the AICPA, NCACPA, Surgent McCoy, and CPA firms, as well as, public and privately held entities. She has been repeatedly recognized as an outstanding discussion leader by the AICPA and NCACPA. Melissa has also authored several different courses for the AICPA, Surgent McCoy and others on topics ranging from employee benefit plans, internal controls, and compilation and review engagements. Throughout, the course of her career, she has served in various roles with both the NCACPA and AICPA. These positions include serving as a member of the NCACPA Board of Directors, committee member for the NCACPA Accounting and Attestation Committee, as well as, local chapter positions for the NCACPA. For the past six years, Melissa has also served as a volunteer on the AICPA Technical Standards Committee for Employee Benefit Plans which is responsible for evaluating referrals from the Department of Labor for deficient audits and makes recommendation for disciplinary actions.