We are now past the calendar year 401(k) Plan deadline (October 15th). However, we know there are severalpPlans out there that have not completed their required 401(k) plan audit. In fact, there are some Plans that have not yet selected an auditor for their Plan. While we know you are probably trying to get your audit started as quickly as possible, given you are past the deadline, it is still important that you conduct some due diligence to ensure you select a qualified firm.
It is important that you select an auditor that has specific knowledge regarding 401(k) plan audits. They are different from traditional company financial statement audits as they are compliance-oriented and test specific regulatory requirements that most auditors are not familiar with.
QUESTIONS TO ASK PROSPECTIVE AUDITORS
- How many audits per year does this audit firm conduct specifically related to benefit plans? What type of benefit plans have they audited? What is the size of the typical benefit plan in their audit portfolio? Does this experience-level match up with your plan? Anders audits over 150 plans per year. Our audits are generally small to medium size audits (up to 500 plan eligible participants) but we do have larger and more complex plans in the mix.
- What level of expertise does the firm staff have specifically related to benefit plan auditing? At Anders, we only use audit staff that have specialized knowledge in this area. You will not be assigned a “new” auditor that does not understand the basics of your plan.
- How long does the typical benefit plan audit take at the firm? Will the firm be able to take on a new client and complete the audit in the timeframe left before the filing deadline? We are on a growth curve at Anders. We expect to add audit clients and we have staffed up for the growth. We will work to your schedule to ensure the audit is completed timely.
- What specialized training does the firm provide for its benefit plan auditors? At Anders we provided over 20 hours of specialized training for all our audit staff at the national AICPA conference on benefit plan auditing in 2021 and we intend to do the same for 2022.
When it’s time for your plan’s audit, it’s vital that you hire a trusted auditor. At Anders, we specialize in retirement plan audits. We have the ability to offer assistance entirely off-site with little or no distraction to your daily office routine. We also offer flat-fee pricing so there are no surprises on your bill when the job is complete.
To get started, request a free 401(k) audit consultation below or contact the team at (314)-886-7913 to schedule an appointment.
