Financial Statement Audits of Retirement Plans
March 04, 2016
Prospective clients often want to see a sample information request letter to get a better idea of how an audit will progress. In response to that frequently asked question, we created a white paper to assist clients in preparing for their retirement plan audits.
Preparing For An Employee Benefit Plan Audit
February 22, 2016
When it comes to an employee benefit plan audit, having the right information ready in a timely fashion is imperative for a smooth and efficient audit. Since the retirement plan audit season is now going strong I am providing a link to the AICPA’s EBPAQC 403(b) Retirement Plan Audits Sample Auditor Request List for Plan Information.
Highly Compensated Employee Identification
February 01, 2016
In retirement plan administration, it is sometimes necessary to use prior year data to make certain determinations.
Department of Labor Emphasizes the Importance of Selecting a Quality Auditor
January 27, 2016
The Department of Labor just sent a letter to plan administrators emphasizing the importance of selecting a quality auditor.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Don’t Forget the Compensation Ratio Test
January 04, 2016
Most plan sponsors know that their retirement plans are subject to discrimination tests, generally designed to prevent highly compensated employees (HCEs) from obtaining a benefit that is disproportionately favorable when compared to the benefits of the non-highly compensated employees (NHCEs).
Continued Interest from the DOL in the Selection of Qualified Plan Auditors
December 09, 2015
In a previous blog, DOL Audit Quality Study: Employee Benefit Plan Auditors Are not Making the Grade, we discussed the results of the 2015 Audit Quality Study performed by the Department of Labor (DOL).
Amending a Plan’s Eligibility Provisions Could Delay a Financial Statement Audit Requirement
December 02, 2015
It may be counter-intuitive, but reducing the number of employees who are eligible to participate in a retirement plan could be the greater good in certain situations.
What’s in a Name? Are Retirement Plans of Entities with Religious Names Automatically Church Plans?
November 18, 2015
Posted by Maria T. Hurd, CPA Juliet: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” Let us consider what a name is. It is the grouping of letters that represent the identification of a person, object, or entity. However, the words may not be exactly representative … Continued
SOC 1 Reports and Limited Scope Audit Certifications Are Not the Same
November 05, 2015
Every year, at least one retirement plan service provider tells us that a plan qualifies for a limited scope audit because their company has an SOC 1 report.
Never Too Early for New Year’s Resolutions
October 23, 2015
Every year, right around December 31st (and closer to January 1!), we sit down and start to draft up resolutions for the upcoming new year. Whether it’s aiming for a healthier life style, setting aside for targets at work, or perhaps being more fiscally responsible, it’s important to not only make these goals, but to have a plan in place for accomplishing them as well.