Packages Display Packages

This includes sessions from the conference: Employee Benefit Plans Conference 2020

Sessions Included:

EBPAQC Update: What's New and on the Horizon (Nov 11, 2020 11:30 AM)

Retirement Plan Fees 2.0 Lawsuits, Leveling and Lessons Learned (Nov 10, 2020 05:35 PM)

The EBP Niche: Building (and Maintaining) a Successful Audit Practice (Nov 11, 2020 02:20 PM)

Employee Benefits Litigation - Recent Cases and what we learn from them (Nov 10, 2020 04:05 PM)

Successful Navigation of Plan Vendor Changes (Nov 11, 2020 12:50 PM)

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Plan Design Changes (Nov 10, 2020 02:45 PM)

Cybersecurity Incident Response: A Walk Through A Data Breach (Nov 10, 2020 01:15 PM)

Advanced Investments (Nov 09, 2020 03:00 PM)

Electronic Audit Evidence & Remote Auditing (Nov 11, 2020 12:50 PM)

Don't Take A Gamble When Dealing with Major Plan Changes (Mergers, Spinoffs, Terminations) (Nov 09, 2020 04:45 PM)

Getting Ready NOW for SAS No. 136! (Nov 11, 2020 02:20 PM)

The Changing Landscape of Account-Based Health Plans (Nov 09, 2020 04:45 PM)

SOC 2, SOC 3 and SOC for Cyber Security Risk Management – Relevance to your Clients (Nov 10, 2020 02:45 PM)

Advanced SOC 1 Matters (Nov 10, 2020 04:05 PM)

Basics of SOC 1 Reports for Use in EBP Audits (Nov 09, 2020 03:00 PM)

Eligibility Rules; Ready Set Go (Nov 09, 2020 04:45 PM)

Welcome Remarks & A&A and Tax Update (Nov 09, 2020 11:00 AM)

Part I: Risk Assessment Standards & COVID19 (Nov 09, 2020 04:45 PM)

Beyond the Audit: AICPA Resources That Give You the Upper Hand (Nov 11, 2020 11:30 AM)

SECURE and CARES Act Revisited (Nov 09, 2020 01:30 PM)

Employer Sponsored Guaranteed Lifetime Income – Why Women Win At Work - Presented by Pacific Life Insurance Co (Nov 11, 2020 10:00 AM)

Defined Benefit Plans - Auditing Census Data and Actuarial Assumptions/Reports (Nov 10, 2020 01:15 PM)

The Auditor’s Role in Cybersecurity Risk Management (Nov 10, 2020 05:35 PM)

Adding Value through Plan Governance: For EBP Sponsors and Auditors - Presented by Ashford Investment Advisors (Nov 11, 2020 10:00 AM)

Assessing Challenges and Opportunities for your EBP Practice - Presented by CPA.com (Nov 11, 2020 10:00 AM)

The Aftermath of CARES Act and Continuing the COVID-19 Chronicles (Nov 10, 2020 01:15 PM)

Disallowed Deductions for Parking and Commuting (Nov 10, 2020 01:15 PM)

Part II: Risk Assessment Standards & COVID19 (Nov 10, 2020 05:35 PM)

Tax Implications for Remote Workers (Nov 11, 2020 12:50 PM)

Qualified Plan Compensation in a COVID-19 Environment (Nov 11, 2020 12:50 PM)

Avoid the Stress while working with Distressed Plans (Nov 11, 2020 02:20 PM)

Choices for Small and Start-up Business Benefit Plans (Nov 10, 2020 04:05 PM)

Financial Statements - Common Errors (Nov 10, 2020 05:35 PM)


Welcome Remarks & A&A and Tax Update

Nov 9, 2020 11:00am ‐ Nov 9, 2020 12:00pm

Identification: EBP2001

This session will provide an update of various accounting, auditing, and reporting matters affecting employee benefit plans. Our speakers will share their perspectives and experiences.
Learning Objectives:
  • Recall accounting and auditing issues that affected this year's audits of employee benefit plans.
  • Recognize accounting and auditing considerations for upcoming audit season.
  • Identify changes in tax regulations that affect EBPs now, and going forward.
Category: General Session Online

SECURE and CARES Act Revisited

Nov 9, 2020 1:30pm ‐ Nov 9, 2020 2:45pm

Identification: EBP2003

Are you ready? After 13 years without significant pension legislation, the SECURE Act was enacted at the end of 2019, and in March of 2020 followed by the CARES Act. We will frame the major changes and recent guidance issued and their impact on compliance, plan design and operation. Topics include: recent guidance for CARES Act distributions; what is new with key SECURE Act topics including multiple employer plans, inherited IRAs, long-term part time employees, life time income disclosure, 403(b) plan impact and other key areas. Get ready to GO!

Learning Objectives:
  • Analyze the various loan repayment strategies that recordkeepers are using for the CARES ACT, including amortization.
  • Compare and contrast closed MEPs and the new open PEPs.
  • Examine the planning implications are for long-term part time employees participation.
  • Identify Plan amendments, timing – the 2020ing of plan document compliance!
Category: General Session Online

Basics of SOC 1 Reports for Use in EBP Audits

Nov 9, 2020 3:00pm ‐ Nov 9, 2020 4:15pm

Identification: EBP2004

This course provides auditors with the basic knowledge necessary to effectively read and understand the components of a SOC 1 report. Topics addressed include: identifying common SOC 1 reports used in EBP engagements, professional standards auditors must satisfy when incorporating the use of SOC 1 reports into EBP audits and tips on recognizing issues commonly encountered.

*Attendees should consider attending the Advanced SOC 1 Matters for more advanced discussion on issues related to SOC 1's and how to address them.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify differences between Type 1 and 2 SOC 1 reports and how they impact EBP engagements
  • Recognize the basic elements of the SOC 1 report
  • Distinguish how SOC 1 reports impact risk assessment and planned nature, timing and extent of substantive audit procedures
  • Recognize common issues auditors deal with in evaluating SOC 1 reports

Advanced Investments

Nov 9, 2020 3:00pm ‐ Nov 9, 2020 4:15pm

Identification: EBP2007

Does the plan hold complex investments? Whether a full scope audit or an ERISA 103 (a)(3)(c) audit is performed, the steps to ensure complex investments are properly valued and presented within the financial statements in accordance with appropriate accounting principles remain the same. This session is designed to assist plan administrators and plan auditors in fulfilling that responsibility.

Learning Objectives:
  • Define the unique characteristics and valuation methods for a variety of investments including common trusts, collective trusts, group trusts, hedge funds, limited partnerships, and certain derivatives as well as learn how to identify complex investments in the custodial reports.
  • Identify how FASB’s guidance related to NAV as Practical Expedient can be incorporated when assessing whether the values in the custody reports for commingled and pooled investments are reflective of fair value.
  • Review example disclosures to comply with tabular and narrative footnote requirements.

Eligibility Rules; Ready Set Go

Nov 9, 2020 4:45pm ‐ Nov 9, 2020 6:00pm

Identification: EBP2008

This session will focus on the general participation and eligibility rules including

  • Measuring Years of Service
  • Using elapsed time and how it’s different from counting actual hours
  • Maximum eligibility rules
  • Permitted safe harbor exclusions
  • Exclusions that affect coverage rules
  • Leased employees
  • Applying the break in service rules
  • Duel Eligibility features (impact on Top Heavy plans)

This session is a beginner session and for those who have a working knowledge and want a refresher.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify various provisions for eligibility and participation for retirement plans
  • Recall eligibility requirements for a plan to qualify for favorable tax status
  • Identify common errors for newly eligible employees, and the exclusion of eligible employees or inclusion of ineligible employees

Don't Take A Gamble When Dealing with Major Plan Changes (Mergers, Spinoffs, Terminations)

Nov 9, 2020 4:45pm ‐ Nov 9, 2020 6:00pm

Identification: EBP2009

Differentiate and understand the GAAP treatment, impact to financial reporting and related nuances for:
Mergers
Terminations
Trustee and recordkeeper changes and
Spinoffs

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify the GAAP and tax treatment for mergers, terminations and spinoffs
  • Define the impact to financial reporting for mergers, terminations and spinoffs
  • Identify audit procedures relating to mergers, terminations and spinoffs
  • Recall considerations for changes in trustees and recordkeepers

Part I: Risk Assessment Standards & COVID19

Nov 9, 2020 4:45pm ‐ Nov 9, 2020 6:00pm

Identification: EBP2010

This session will address how COVID-19 is impacting EBP audit risk assessments. Participants will learn about areas of heightened risk and common misconceptions detected through peer review while walking through practical examples illustrating how to apply the risk assessment standards in an EBP audit.

The Changing Landscape of Account-Based Health Plans

Nov 9, 2020 4:45pm ‐ Nov 9, 2020 6:00pm

Identification: EBP2011

This session will cover changes to health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) that may lay the groundwork for an emerging shift from defined benefit to defined contribution in the health care space.  Specifically, we will discuss the new IRS, DOL, and HHS rules governing HRAs, effective for 2020 plan years, that allow these arrangements to be used more broadly and flexibly by employers.  We will identify compliance concerns expected to arise as these new arrangements are implemented.  We will also discuss changes to permissible high-deductible health plans associated with HSAs to understand how these arrangements are permitted to cover additional medical items without cost-sharing, and we will compare FSAs with other account-based arrangements.  Finally, we will consider what the future is for these account-based arrangements.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify when and how HRAs may be offered to employees
  • Recognize what medical items may be offered without cost-sharing in a high-deductible health plan

Defined Benefit Plans - Auditing Census Data and Actuarial Assumptions/Reports

Nov 10, 2020 1:15pm ‐ Nov 10, 2020 2:30pm

Identification: EBP2014

This session will address the auditor’s responsibilities when working with actuaries’ reports and actuarially determined obligations that comprise a component of the financial statements of a defined benefit plan. We will cover how an auditor might test the key actuarial inputs used in an actuarial valuation as well as testing of the underlying census data that was provided to the actuary. The session will also review other common audit tests that may be utilized when working with actuarial reports.
Learning Objectives:
  • Apply common approaches to testing assumptions by actuaries in the calculations of benefit obligations.
  • Employ common approaches to testing census provided to actuaries for their use in calculating benefit obligations, including a consideration of how data analytics may assist in this process.

The Aftermath of CARES Act and Continuing the COVID-19 Chronicles

Nov 10, 2020 1:15pm ‐ Nov 10, 2020 2:30pm

Identification: EBP2015

This session will be a panel discussion covering challenges and the related audit considerations of COVID and the CARES Act facing plan sponsors, service providers and auditors.
Learning Objectives:
  • Define challenges service providers faced implementing the provisions of the CARES Act
  • Identify potential audit risks as a result of the challenges and the impact COVID and the CARES Act
  • Recall what has been learned and what to expect for the 2020 year end audits as a result of the aftermath of the CARES Act and COVID