by JoAnn Cassell | Sep 15, 2025 | 401k Communication, Audit Procedures
Completing your independent 401(k) plan audit is a big milestone—but it’s not the final step. Once your auditor issues the report, there are still a few key tasks to wrap up on your end as the plan sponsor. Here’s what happens after the audit is finished, what’s...
by JoAnn Cassell | Aug 15, 2025 | Merger & Acquisitions
When your company is acquiring or merging with another, the due diligence process doesn’t stop at financials or operations. The target company’s retirement plans—especially their 401(k)—carry risks, responsibilities, and decisions that can impact both compliance and...
by JoAnn Cassell | Jul 15, 2025 | Audit Procedures
In 401(k) plan audits, digital tools and AI-powered platforms are helping plan sponsors and auditors streamline processes, reduce errors, and save time. The result? A smarter, more efficient audit experience that’s better for everyone involved, whether you’re...
by JoAnn Cassell | Jun 15, 2025 | 401k Audit Firm, How to choose an auditor
Selecting the perfect auditor for your 401(k) plan isn’t just a box‑checking exercise—but our handy 401(k) auditor checklist will ensure that you cover the key criteria and questions to ask to make the right choice. Because it’s a decision, after all, that can make...
by JoAnn Cassell | May 15, 2025 | 401k Plan Mistakes, Audit Insights
Conducting a 401(k) audit can feel daunting—especially when you uncover more “gotchas” than guarantees. Every year, we feature the top three errors (= teachable moments) of that audit season. Today, however, we’re gathering lessons learned from successful 401(k) plan...
by JoAnn Cassell | Apr 15, 2025 | 401k Plan Audit, Regulations & Policies, Uncategorized
If you sponsor a 401(k) plan for your employees, you’ve probably heard talk about retirement plan audits. Maybe someone told you you’ll need one once you hit 100 participants… or was it 120? Eligible? Contributing? It’s confusing, we get it. The good news? You’re not...
by JoAnn Cassell | Mar 15, 2025 | Regulations & Policies, SECURE Act
The big SECURE Act 2.0 changes mandated for 401(k) plans are still rolling out—and 2025 is no exception. So, with new rules around auto-enrollment, catch-up contributions, and long-term part-time employee eligibility, as a plan sponsor, you’ll need to be prepared to...
by JoAnn Cassell | Feb 15, 2025 | 401k Compliance Error, 401k Plan Mistakes, Audit Insights, Eligible compensation discrepancies
With 2024’s audit season a none-too-distant memory, it’s time to look back at the top 3 errors on 401(k) plan audits we saw our clients make last year… So you can prevent them from showing up during your next benefits plan audit! Since we specialize in 401(k) plan...
by JoAnn Cassell | Jan 15, 2025 | 401k Plan Audit Documentation, Record Retention, Regulations & Policies
Updating your payroll procedures for paperless, electronic documents? Good. Improperly retaining said documents, putting you out of compliance with federal policy and regulation? Bad. In short, are you retaining your digitally signed payroll Form I-9 correctly? Here’s...
by JoAnn Cassell | Dec 15, 2024 | 401k Compliance
So, what is a SOC report? Many plan sponsors of 401(k) and other benefit plans outsource critical plan tasks to outside service providers or vendors like payroll servicers, third-party administrators, and recordkeepers. This makes you the customer, or to use the...
