Surgent's Auditing 401(k) Plans: Critical Issues and Annual Update

Overview

Due to increasing scrutiny in the employee benefit plan area, it is imperative for auditors of 401(k) plans to remain up to date on the rules and regulations that may impact the audit engagement. With SAS 136, the AICPA’s new employee benefit plan auditing standard, now effective, this knowledge is even more critical.

In this course, auditors will enhance their knowledge by understanding the changes affecting audit procedures and reporting under SAS 136, identifying best practices, and performing efficient audit engagements.

Objectives

Recall key elements of SAS 136
Understand the current changes to the rules and regulations associated with 401(k) plans
Identify best practices associated with engagement performance
Understand the risks associated with a benefit plan audit engagement
Avoid common mistakes noted during peer reviews

Highlights

Key requirements of SAS 136
Changes affecting 401(k) plans
Audit strategy and improving overall efficiency
Common mistakes as noted in peer reviews and DOL inspections

Designed For

Experienced practitioners responsible for planning and performing employee benefit plan audit engagements

Prerequisites

Basic understanding of auditing defined contribution plans

Preparation

None

Notice

To access this program, log into your CTCPA account at https://www.ctcpas.org/my-cpe/upcoming and click on the orange “Launch Event” button.

Fees

Credits

Level

Code

Vendor

Fields of Study

Leader(s):

Melissa Critcher

Leader Bios

Melissa Critcher

Melissa G. Critcher attended Appalachian State University where she received a B.S. 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 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has extensive experience in auditing and accounting, which includes manufacturing, professional service, health care, 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, the NCACPA, Surgent, and CPA firms, as well as for 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, and others on topics such as 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 and as a committee member for the NCACPA Accounting and Attestation Committee, as well as holding local chapter positions for the NCACPA. For the past seven years, Melissa has also served as a volunteer on the AICPA Enforcement Committee for Employee Benefit Plans, which is responsible for evaluating referrals from the Department of Labor for deficient audits and makes recommendations for disciplinary actions.

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