Agenda

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM
Welcome & Announcements

8:35 AM – 10:05 AM
DOL Update
How will regulatory developments impact this season’s benefit plan audits? Join our keynote where we discuss DOL changes, challenges and expert insights on the audit side of employee benefit plans.
Michael Auerbach – Chief Accountant, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C.
Credit: 1.8 AA

10:15 AM – 11:05 AM
Introduction to Agentic AI: Implications for Accounting
Discover how AI agents are revolutionizing accounting by automating workflows, minimizing manual tasks and boosting efficiency. Discuss their strategic impact on both firm operations and client service, while gaining practical and applicable insights to prepare your firm for the future of Agentic AI.
Ellen Choi, MBA – Founder and CEO, Edgefield Group, San Francisco, CA
Credit: 1.0 AA

11:05 AM – 11:55 AM
What’s New, Peer Review?
The AICPA released an updated peer review engagement checklist in November of 2024 regarding Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) audits. Review the key updates on the checklist and use recent peer reviews to identify common issues related to ERISA audits.
Randy Dummer, CPA – Partner, HHM Certified Public Accountants, Chattanooga, TN
Credit: 1.0 AA

11:55 AM – 12:45 PM
Break for Lunch

12:45 PM – 1:35 PM
Planning and Risk Assessment: Laying the Foundation for ERISA Audits
Walk-through the planning and risk assessment process for an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) audit. Explore the audit’s conceptual framework, learn how to evaluate SOC 1 reports, and review docu50mentation and risk assessment linkage to audit procedures – ensuring compliance and precision in your EBP audits.
Steven J. Triezenberg, CPA – Shareholder, Hungerford, Grand Rapids
Credit: 1.0 AA

1:35 PM – 2:25 PM
Key A&A Updates and SECURE 2.0: Insights, Challenges, and Best Practices (1.0 Other)
Stay up to date with the latest developments in audit and accounting standards impacting employee benefit plan audits, including key updates, common challenges, and best practices. We provide a practical overview of SECURE 2.0, offering valuable insights and resources to help you navigate its complexities and apply the latest guidance effectively.
Scott Grenier, FSA, EA – Senior Manager, Plante Moran, Detroit
David Thornton, CPA – Assurance Manager, Plante Moran, Southfield
Credit: 1.0 OT

2:35 PM – 3:25 PM
DOL Audit Quality Study and Resources available from the AICPA’s EBP Audit Quality Center
The U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration issued an Audit Quality Study in November 2023. The study examined the financial statement audits of employee benefit plans (EBPs) for the 2020 filing year. Among other things, the report found that members of the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center (EBPAQC) had a lower deficiency rate than non-member firms. This session will review the key findings of the report and explore the tools and resources the EBPAQC has available to address common EBP audit deficiencies.
Kendra Dodson, CPA – Audit Managing Director, Grant Thornton LLP, Southfield
Credit: 1.0 AA

3:25 PM – 4:25 PM
Ask Our Experts: EBP Panel
Navigate the complexities of Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) audits with the informed perspectives of our expert panelists. Discover how others are approaching new and ongoing challenges and pose your own questions to the panel.
Marisa Ahrens, CPA – Principal, Yeo & Yeo, Saginaw
Justin Masters, CPA – Assurance Principal, Rehmann, Troy
Jayme Moerdyke, CPA – Senior Manager, Plante Moran, Southfield
Moderator: Gary Remer, CPA, Esq. – Shareholder, Maddin Hauser, Southfield
Credit: 1.2 AA

4:25 PM
Adjournment