by JoAnn Cassell | Mar 15, 2026 | 401k Compliance Error, 401k Plan Mistakes, Audit Insights
As a sponsor of a 401(k) plan, you’re not trying to break the rules—the opposite, you have the best intentions for your employees. You’re offering a benefit that protects their futures! But as I recently shared on The 401(k)ouple Podcast, most mistakes don’t come...
by JoAnn Cassell | Dec 15, 2025 | 401k Audit Time, Preparing for a 401(k) audit
If you’ve been through a few 401(k) audits, you know the routine. But for Kyle Mishler, Director of Operations at Civiltech Engineering, Inc., audit prep isn’t just a once-a-year task—it’s part of how she stays organized year-round. We sat down with Kyle (a long-time...
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...
by JoAnn Cassell | Sep 15, 2024 | 401k Compliance, Fiduciary, Record Retention, Regulations & Policies
Understanding your fiduciary responsibilities as a 401(k) plan sponsor is critical to staying compliant and protecting yourself from personal liability. In short, no matter what, the buck stops with you. (Yes, we made a visual pun! Enjoy.) The Department of Labor...
by JoAnn Cassell | Mar 15, 2024 | 401k Plan Audit, 401k Plan Audit Documentation, Audit Deadlines, Audit Procedures, Preparing for a 401(k) audit
For employers or plan sponsors with 401(k) plans with 100 or more participants with balances, here’s how to prepare for your first 401(k) plan audit. Step One: Determine whether your 401(k) plan requires an independent audit. Firstly, who makes this determination? ...
