Employee Benefit Plans Conference 2020

May 4, 2020 ‐ May 6, 2020

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Preview Available

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Operation Credit Type : Management Services

Operation Level : Basic

Operation Prerequisites : 1-2 Years in the Profession

Operation Advanced Prep : None

Session description goes here

Learning Objectives:

• 1st LO
• 2nd LO

Speaker(s):

• Amanda Joslin, Program Manager, AICPA

This is a Test

Preview Available

This is a Test

Operation Credit Type : Management Services

Operation Level : Basic

Operation Prerequisites : 1-2 Years in the Profession

Operation Advanced Prep : None

Session description goes here

Learning Objectives:

• 1st LO
• 2nd LO

Speaker(s):

• Amanda Joslin, Program Manager, AICPA

Investment Basics

Preview Available

Investment Basics

Operation Credit Type : Auditing

Operation Level : Basic

Operation Advanced Prep : None

Operation Prerequisites : 1-2 Years in the Profession

This session will cover the basics of common investments in employee benefits plans. The session will cover the types of investments, audit procedures considerations and disclosure considerations. 

Learning Objectives:

• Gain an understanding of common investments in employee benefits
• Gain an understanding of testing and disclosure considerations

Speaker(s):

• Kerri Franz, Weaver
• Douglas Bertossi, CPA, CEBS, Principal, CLA

Advanced SOC 1 Matters

Preview Available

Advanced SOC 1 Matters

Operation Credit Type : Auditing

Operation Level : Advanced

Operation Prerequisites : Other

Operation Advanced Prep : None

This session will address advanced topics related to SOC 1 reports and their utilization within an employee benefit plan audit.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate risk assessment considerations from current guidance with a focus on SOC 1 reliance considerations and requirements
• Assess SOC 1 report adequacy of presentation, testing and control coverage.
• Evaluate user entity controls relevancy and level of testing the user entity should consider and the effect on the EBP audit.
• Analyze carve-outs and their relevancy for the user entity and the effect on the EBP audit.

Speaker(s):

• Lara Stanton, Consultant
• Audrey Katcher, CPA, CITP, CISA, CGMA, Partner, RubinBrown LLP

The Changing Landscape of Account-Based Health Plans

Preview Available

The Changing Landscape of Account-Based Health Plans

Operation Credit Type : Taxes

Operation Level : Basic

Operation Advanced Prep : None

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.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand when and how HRAs may be offered to employees
• Understand what medical items may be offered without cost-sharing in a high-deductible health plan

Speaker(s):

• Christa Haas Bierma, Principal, Ernst & Young LLP

Choices for small and start-up business retirement plans

Preview Available

Choices for small and start-up business retirement plans

Operation Credit Type : Taxes

Operation Level : Overview

Operation Prerequisites : 1-2 Years in the Profession

Operation Advanced Prep : None

Choices for small and start-up business retirement plans:

This session will eExplain the various retirement plan types available to small + start-up businesses.  We will dDiscuss the rules that pertain to each plan type and the employer responsibility. The session will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of small retirement plans

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the various retirement plan types available to small + start-up businesses
• Discuss the rules that pertain to each plan type and the employer responsibility
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of small retirement plans

Speaker(s):

• Mark D. Swedelson, CPA, QPA, Vice-President, Goldberg, Swedelson & Associates Inc.
• Kim A. Flett, CPA, BDO

SOC 2, SOC 3 and SOC for Cyber Security Risk Management – relevance to your

Preview Available

SOC 2, SOC 3 and SOC for Cyber Security Risk Management – relevance to your

Operation Credit Type : Auditing

Operation Level : Intermediate

Operation Prerequisites : Other

Operation Advanced Prep : None

This session will review SOC 2, SOC 3 and SOC for Cyber Security Risk Management to assess the content and the differences between the reports; for consideration in interpreting relevance to your clients.

Learning Objectives:

• Differentiate between the basics of SOC 2, SOC 3 and SOC for Cyber Security Risk Management reports
• Interpret the SOC 2, SOC 3 and SOC for Cyber Security Risk Management reports for and understanding of EBP entities (not for direct EBP audit reliance).
• Interpret Trust Services Criteria: Security, Confidentially, Privacy Availability and Processing Integrity.
• Evaluate the extent of how auditors can review and interpret cyber security issues for client communications.

Speaker(s):

• Audrey Katcher, CPA, CITP, CISA, CGMA, Partner, RubinBrown LLP
• Lara Stanton, Consultant

Introduction to Employee Benefit Plan Audits--Critical Audit Issues

Preview Available

Introduction to Employee Benefit Plan Audits--Critical Audit Issues

May 3, 2020 9:00am ‐ May 3, 2020 6:00pm

Identification: EBP20101

Operation Credit Type : Auditing

Operation Level : Overview

Operation Prerequisites : Other

Operation Advanced Prep : None

This all-day pre-conference session is geared toward individuals interested in a general overview and update of the audit, accounting, and reporting requirements for employee benefit plans.  Auditors new to EBP audits, experienced auditors interested in a refresher course, benefit plan professions as well as service providers who want to understand the audit process, could benefit from this session.  It provides a basic understanding of the requirements for all types of EBP audits based on the AICPA’s Employee Benefit Plans-Accounting and Auditing Guide as well as DOL requirements.

Participants will have ample time to discus specific issues and resolutions for real-life employee benefit problems.  Attending this session will help participants choose other sessions they will benefit from at the General Conference from in-depth fundamental sessions to specific topics.

Learning Objectives:

• Underdertand the critical audit objectives for EBP plans
• Understand the DOL requirements for EBP plans

Speaker(s):

• Bob Cote, CPA, Cote, LLP
• Marilee P. Lau, CPA, Consultant, Marilee Lau, CPA
• Marcus Aron, U.S. Department of Labor

Form 5500 Workshop: Bring It On!

Preview Available

Form 5500 Workshop: Bring It On!

May 3, 2020 1:00pm ‐ May 3, 2020 5:00pm

Identification: EBP20102

Operation Credit Type : Taxes

Operation Level : Overview

Operation Prerequisites : 1-2 Years in the Profession

Operation Advanced Prep : Other

This workshop is available for both onsite and online participants and part of the flex-pass option.

This half-day Form 5500 workshop will provide a practical review of the Form 5500 and related schedules. We also explore common practitioner questions and pitfalls of the Form 5500 and related schedules. We find that when practitioners bring their questions to the workshop, we all learn more, especially with Department of Labor specialist attending the session! The session is designed for plan administrators, auditors, and preparers who want to learn about the Form 5500 as well as expand their knowledge of the Form 5500 filings.

Attendees will leave workshop able to:

• Identify Form 5500/5500-SF specifics
• Identify changes to the 2018 Form 5500
• Use Form 5500 related schedules and address common questions
• Use the Electronic Filing/EFAST2 system
• Determine when DOL enforcement may occur
• Use Form 8955-SSA

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will be able to identify Form 5500 specifics and identify common issues
• Attendees will be aware of changes to 2019 Form 5500

Speaker(s):

• Michael F. Kraemer, CPA, Fidelity
• Kim A. Flett, CPA, BDO
• Debbie Packer, J.D., Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
• Laura Anderson, E&Y

Unique and Refreshing Approach to Guiding the Emerging EBP Professional

Preview Available

Unique and Refreshing Approach to Guiding the Emerging EBP Professional

May 3, 2020 2:00pm ‐ May 3, 2020 6:00pm

Identification: EBP20103

Operation Credit Type : Auditing

Operation Level : Basic

Operation Advanced Prep : None

This preconference offering delivers a wealth of practical technical and vast resources often found only by experienced EBP practitioners. Part compliance issues, part audit tools and resources, this session will allow new and developing EBP CPAs the ability to understand how to find the best audit resources and tools, and find new marketing opportunities to grow a compliant and robust practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a focused approach to an engagement from initial client meeting to audit wrap up, where key steps are discussed to ensure great peer reviews and streamlined work processes.
• Create a personalized approach to classes needed in the main conference, with mentoring from conference leadership during the entire conference. Mentors will take attendees under their wing as much as they want - to help enhance the overall conference experience – and this will provide valuable networking and post-conference resources.
• Career track enhancement – specializing in certain EBP audits pros and cons and how to develop a niche practice, working with peer reviewers – hear from those who have done it.

Speaker(s):

• Lisa C. Germano, Germano, President and General Counsel, Actuarial Benefits & Design Company
• Kathleen Jackson, Senior Auditor, A.C. Evans LLC
• Jeffrey Snader, CPA, Vice President, Charles W. Snader PC
• David Stern, Partner, Fasten Halberstam LLP