| Dear Center Members: |
This alert contains registration information regarding:
- EBPAQC SAS 145 webcasts
- EBPAQC rebroadcast webcasts
- AICPA EBP Accounting, Auditing, and Regulatory Update Conference—Special member benefit
- Additional AICPA EBP learning opportunities
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Register for Applying SAS No. 145 in employee benefit plan audits Webcasts
The EBPAQC is sponsoring a two-part Applying SAS No. 145 in employee benefit plan audits webcast series, which will be held on Tuesday, November 7 and 14, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Applying SAS No. 145 in employee benefit plan audits, part 1
Click here to register for the November 7 live webcast (Paid with CPE credit).
Click here to register for the November 7 live webcast (Free with No-CPE credit).
The new risk assessment standard (SAS No. 145) is effective for 2023 employee benefit plan audits performed in 2024. The new standard may require significant changes to the way your firm performs risk assessment. Part 1 of the two-part series will:
- Present an overview of the requirements of SAS No. 145 and how the requirements have changed.
- Provide specific examples of types of risks specific to employee benefit plan audits and strategies for identifying them.
Panelists for this webcast series are Erin Breit, BDO; Debbie Smith, Grant Thornton; and Brian Price, PriceKubecka, PLLC; Carl Mayes, AICPA; Nicole Hilbert, KPMG; and Emily Toler, CapinCrouse LLP.
The webcast qualifies for 100 minutes (two hours) of CPE credits with paid registration.
Applying SAS No. 145 in employee benefit plan audits, part 2
Click here to register for the November 14 live webcast (Paid with CPE credit).
Click here to register for the November 14 live webcast (Free with No-CPE credit).
The new risk assessment standard (SAS No. 145) is effective for 2023 employee benefit plan audits performed in 2024. The new standard may require significant changes to the way your firm performs risk assessment. Part 2 of the two-part series will:
- Discuss implementation considerations for EBP audits.
- Provide specific examples of how auditors may respond to identified risks.
- What auditors need to know about IT general controls (ITGCs).
- Provide participants an opportunity to ask questions of the experts.
Panelists for this webcast series are Erin Breit, BDO; Debbie Smith, Grant Thornton; and Brian Price, PriceKubecka, PLLC; Carl Mayes, AICPA; Nicole Hilbert, KPMG; and Emily Toler, CapinCrouse LLP.
The webcast qualifies for 100 minutes (two hours) of CPE credits with paid registration.
Register for EBPAQC Rebroadcast Webcasts, Tax and Compliance Issues for EBP Auditors, Unique DB Plan Issues—Advanced, and Common Plan Operational Errors Rebroadcast Webcasts
Tax and Compliance Issues for EBP Auditors Rebroadcast Webcast
Click here to register for the for the Paid CPE credit option November 8, 2023, rebroadcast webcast (2 CPE credit hours).
This rebroadcast, which is scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern, addresses various tax and compliance issues relevant to employee benefit plan auditors, including discrimination testing and related audit implications. The panel of experts:
- Discusses the auditor's responsibility for tax and compliance issues in an audit of a 401(k) plan's financial statements under GAAS.
- Highlights common tax and operational issues and their impact on the plan's financial statements and the audit.
- Discusses self-correction steps a plan can take as well as current relief programs available to the plan sponsor through the IRS and DOL.
- Discusses financial statement disclosures and auditor responsibilities for reporting noncompliance matters with management and those charged with governance.
Panelists for this rebroadcast are Jennifer Allen, Crowe LLP; Brain Price, PriceKubecka, PLLC; David Torrillo, Torrillo and Associates, LLP; and Tiana Wynn, SB & Company, LLC.
Unique Defined Benefit Plan Issues – Advanced Webcast Rebroadcast
Click here to register for the Paid CPE credit option November 9, 2023 rebroadcast webcast (2 CPE credit hours).
This rebroadcast will be held on Thursday, November 9, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This advanced-level webcast will benefit individuals who have experience in defined benefit pension plan auditing. It will take participants beyond the basics to address unique issues encountered in defined benefit pension plan audits, including:
- Use of a specialist/estimates
- Census data, missing records, and plan benefits
- Benefit calculation and payments
- Plan terminations
- Plan spinoffs and mergers
- Annuity contract purchases
- Cash balance plans
- Investments and common reporting deficiencies
- Contributions and funding
Panelists for this webcast are Stephen Eisenstein, KPMG; Sandi Carrier, Deloitte; Jayme Malimban, Johnson Lambert LLP; and Debbie Smith, Grant Thornton.
Common Plan Operational Errors Rebroadcast Webcast
Click here to register for the Paid CPE credit option November 10, 2023, Rebroadcast webcast (2 CPE credit hours).
This rebroadcast, scheduled for Friday, November 10, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern, is a follow-up to the Tax and compliance issues for EBP auditors rebroadcast. The experts discuss operational issues commonly seen in employee benefit plans and the role of the ERISA attorneys and plan auditors in discovering issues; concerns for the plan sponsor and plan auditor; and methods of correcting. Some of the discussion topics include:
- Applying the definition of compensation
- Elective deferrals
- Participant eligibility
- Nondiscrimination testing
- Vesting and use of forfeitures
- Controlled groups and participant loans
Panelists for this rebroadcast are Debbie Smith, Grant Thornton LLP; Brandon Long, McAfee & Taft; Keith Mong, Grant Thornton LLP; and Gwen Mazzola, HoganTaylor LLP.
Archive of Live Forum Webcasts
The webcast audio and slide presentations will be archived on the Center website. No CPE is available for listening to the archived events.
December 5-6 AICPA & CIMA EBP Accounting, Auditing and Regulatory Update Online Conference – Special Member Benefit
The AICPA & CIMA Employee Benefit Plans Accounting, Auditing and Regulatory Update (AARU) Online Conference will be held virtually on December 5-6, 2023. This conference offers up to 10 hours of CPE credit. It is specifically designed over 2 half-days (11:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)), to allow both east and west coast participants to interact and chat live during sessions with the speakers and other fellow virtual attendees.
The online conference will include two audit & accounting sessions; SAS 145 implementation; a session on innovative mindsets; a SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 update; a Department of Labor (DOL) update, including results from the DOL Audit Quality Study; a corrections sessions; and electronic audit evidence. The conference will wrap-up with the popular "Asking for a Friend" session.
Register before October 21 to receive an additional early bird discount of $100. EBPAQC members qualify for an additional $50 discount. Be sure to enter the coupon code "EBPAQC."
Click here to register the December 5-6 AICPA & CIMA Employee Benefit Plans Accounting, Auditing and Regulatory Update (AARU) Online Conference.
Additional AICPA EBP Learning Opportunities
The AICPA is offering additional learning opportunities for EBP auditors this fall.
Documenting Your EBP Audit: What You Need to Know
Click here to register for the November 9 or December 7 webcast.
Understand different parts of the employee benefit plan (EBP) audit process and the appropriate level of documentation in the performance of audit procedures of employee benefit plans. Learn from real-life examples and solutions, guided by a former employee benefit plan expert panel member and someone who performs peer reviews. Work in templates to truly understand documentation in an EBP audit, and learn best practices for documentation to incorporate into your audits.
Key Topics
- Audit planning
- Risk assessment and control testing
- Documentation best practices for investments and notes receivable
- Key audit areas in the financial statements, such as contributions, benefit payments, and plan expense
- Participant data and participant accounts
- Initial audits, plan mergers, and other issues
ERISA Plans: Planning and Reporting
Click here to register for the November 10 webcast.
Learn to navigate AU-C section 703 and brush up on your 401(k) audit and reporting best practices. After diving deeper in this webcast, attendees will be able to:
- Understand client needs
- Determine materiality
- Perform risk assessment procedures
- Identify key differences between standard and modified audit reports
Key Topics
- Pre-engagement, planning, and risk assessment procedures
- Standard and modified auditor reports
- Effects of SAS No. 136 implementation on planning and reporting
Unique Audit Considerations in Defined Benefit Plans, Health and Welfare Plans, and ESOPs
Click here to register for the November 10 webcast.
Prepare yourself for audits involving unique or less common employee benefit plans (EBPs) with information provided in this all-new webcast. Join us to gain valuable knowledge about planning, performing, and documenting these types of audits, and identify requirements when using the work of a specialist.
Key Topics
- Accounting for and reporting on defined benefit pension and health and welfare plans
- Unique audit considerations for ESOPs
- Using the work of a specialist
Sincerely,
AICPA Employee Benefit Plans Audit Quality Center |
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