Audits of Employee Benefit Plans Conference

SCHEDULE: 

Monday – June 12

8:30 a.m. – What’s on the Horizon at the Department of Labor

Learn the latest news and developments from the DOL and discuss the current EBSA audit quality initiatives, the modernization of the form 5500 project, and other current regulatory and compliance initiatives.

Marcus J. Aron, CPA, CGMA, Senior Auditor, Division of Accounting Services, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C.

9:45 a.m. - Break

10:00 a.m. - Auditing and Accounting Update for Employee Benefit Plans

Cover emerging practice issues, as well as current accounting, auditing, and reporting developments impacting your 2017 employee benefit plan audits. Discuss accounting and auditing issues that affected the 2015 audits of employee benefit plans.  Recognize accounting and auditing considerations for the 2016 audits and understand topics that are on the horizon.

Rance Buss, CPA/Partner in Charge/Employee Benefit Plan Services/Weaver LLP/Houston

11:00 a.m. – Legal Updates in the ERISA World

Learn how after nearly a decade of Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) fee litigation, we can begin to draw conclusions about the law governing these cases, make predictions about the specific issues that are likely to be the focus of litigation going forward and highlight the practical insurance and process considerations that ERISA plan sponsors and fiduciaries would be wise to consider in preparation for what lies ahead.

Michael Abbott, Partner Tax, Gardere Wynne Sewell

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

12:50 p.m. – ASU 2015-17, ASU 2015-10, and ASU 2015-12: Lessons Learned from the Early Adopters

Gain an overview of ASU 2015-07, ASU 2015-10, and ASU 2015-2, and discuss important considerations and challenges related to implementation. Understand the characteristics of an investment similar to a mutual fund (RDV) vs. NAV as practical expedient. Utilized examples of financial statements and disclosures.

Kerri Franz, CPA/Senior Manager, Employee Benefit Plan Services/Weaver LLP/Houston

Kathy Zbikowska, CPA/Senior associate, Employee Benefit Plans/CliftonLarsonAllen/Phoenix, AZ

2:05 p.m. – Break

2:20 p.m. – IRS/DOL Correction Programs and Audit Implications

Delve into illustrations of common errors, uncommon errors and potential solutions from an official correction program perspective, and suggested approaches a plan sponsors/auditor can use before, during and after the issues are identified and correction is planned and finalized.

Chip Harris, CPA, CGMA/Partner, Chairman, Benefit Plan Audit Services Group/RubinBrown LLP/Kansas City, MO

3:10 p.m. – Assisting Clients with Fiduciary Compliance

Cover the key fiduciary responsibilities our plan sponsor clients should perform timely and consistently to meet stringent ERISA requirements.

Rance Buss, CPA/Partner in Charge/Employee Benefit Plan Services/Weaver LLP/Houston

4:10 p.m. – Q & A Session

Get 20 minutes of important time to get answers to your questions from the experts. Take home valuable pointers from the conference.

Michael Auerbach/Acting Chief Accountant and Chief, Division of Accounting Services/Employee Benefits Security Administrative/U.S. Department of Labor/Washington D.C.

Rance Buss, CPA/Partner in Charge/Employee Benefit Plan Services/Weaver LLP/Houston

Kerri Franz, CPA/Senior Manager, Employee Benefit Plan Services/Weaver LLP/Houston

Chip Harris, CPA, CGMA/Partner, Chairman, Benefit Plan Audit Services Group/RubinBrown LLP/Kansas City, MO

Jason Luter/Attorney at Law/Gray Reed & McGraw/Dallas

Kathy ZBikowska, CPA/Senior associate, Employee Benefit Plans/CliftonLarsonAllen/Phoenix, AZ

4:30 p.m. – Adjourn

Basic Course Information

*Employee Benefits

*Auditing