AICPA National Conference on Employee Benefits Plans

The 2008 AICPA National Conference on Employee Benefit Plans will address how recent legislation changes affect the taxation, accounting and audits of benefit plans.

You’ll hear directly from authorities from the Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Treasury as well as industry experts about important changes and issues. This invaluable opportunity will keep you abreast of the latest rules, regulations and implementation guidelines. There is no easier way to receive information this comprehensive and important to you and your firm or company.

So, bring your staff to be fully prepared for the year ahead!

What you’ll take away: As stakes get higher and legislative reforms occur, benefit plans have become so complex that professionals in the industry need expert guidance to understand and navigate the changes and keep aware of best practices.

This conference will educate you on all new issues this year including changes in pension plan limitations, how compensation and benefits under FIN 48 and the New Tax Preparer Standards affect you, as well as health and welfare benefit updates essential to you and your firm’s employees.

Why you need to act quickly:
This conference and the hotel space has sold out early. So, register for the conference and make your hotel reservations now.

Experts will address topics that include:
• Understanding Your Plan Processes – Defined Contribution
• SAS 104-111 Implementation
• DOL Findings, Observations & Best Practices
• Planning/Audit Mergers, Acquisitions, Spin Offs & Terminations
• Executive Compensation Technical Update
• Your Clients in an IRS/DOL Audit
• Reading the Actuary Report – Defined Benefit and Health & Welfare
• Limited Scope Audits

Who should attend: Auditors, practitioners, plan sponsors and those involved in the audit, administration or financial aspect of employee benefit plans.

Dowload Complete Agenda with Session Descriptions

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 – Main Conference, Day One
7:00AM-4:40PM Registration and Message Center Open

7:00AM-8:00AM Continental Breakfast and Vendor Display

8:00AM-8:15AM Welcome Remarks

8:15AM-9:15AM Keynote Presentation
1 Long Term Fiscal Outlook of Federal, State, and Local Governments – How It Will Affect Your Retirement

9:15AM-10:45AM General Session
2 Regulatory Update

10:45AM-11:15AM Morning Refreshment Break and Vendor Display

11:15AM-12:30PM General Session
3 Overview of Developments Throughout the Year

12:30PM-1:30PM Luncheon

1:30PM-1:40PM Change Break

1:40PM-2:55PM Concurrent Sessions (select one)
4 Understanding Your Plan Processes – Defined Contribution (repeated in Session 25)
5 SAS 104-111 Implementation (repeated in Session 19)
6 Plan Sponsor Perspective on Financial Statement Audits
7 DOL Findings, Observations and Best Practices (repeated in Session 47)
8 EPCRS Update
9 Plan Qualifications/Compliance Found on Audit (repeated in Session 15)
10 NEW! Retirement Plan Investment Due Diligence "Best Practices"

2:55PM-3:25PM Afternoon Refreshment Break and Vendor Display

3:25PM-4:40PM Concurrent Sessions (select one)
11 Understanding Your Plan Processes – Defined Benefit
12 Planning and Audit Strategy
13 Planning & Auditing Mergers, Acquisitions, Spin Offs & Terminations (repeated in Session 21)
14 Stable Value FSP – One Year Later (repeated in Session 41)
15 Plan Qualifications/Compliance Found on Audit (repeat of Session 9)
16 All You Need to Know About Plan Expenses
17 Health & Welfare Benefits Tax Update

5:00PM-7:00PM Welcome Reception

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - Main Conference, Day Two

7:00AM-5:30PM Registration and Message Center Open

7:15AM-8:30AM Continental Breakfast

7:30AM-8:30AM Discussion Sessions (Select One)
200 DOL Q&A
201 Audit Quality Center Update
202 Case Studies in Fees: Working Out the Finances
203 Retirement Plan Pitfalls – Fix-it Guides to Keep Your Clients Out of Trouble (continued in #23)

8:30AM-8:40AM Change Break

8:40AM-9:55AM Concurrent Sessions (Select One)
18 Understanding Your Plan Processes – Health & Welfare
19 SAS 104-111 Implementation (repeat of Session 5)
20 Multiemployer Plans
21 Planning & Auditing Mergers, Acquisitions, Spin offs & Terminations (repeat of Session 13)
22 Distributing Planning
23 Retirement Plan Pitfalls – Use IRS Fix-it Guides to Keep Your Clients Out of Trouble (continued from #203)
24 409A Panel Discussion on Common Pitfalls

9:55AM-10:05AM Change Break

10:05AM-11:20AM Concurrent Sessions (Select One)
25 Understanding Your Plan Processes – Defined Contribution (repeat of Session 4)
26 Unique Issues Related to SAS 70s (repeated in Session 55)
27 11K Audits (repeated in Session 50)
28 Alternative Investments – Auditing & Reporting (repeated in #40)
29 403(b) Update
30 Automatic Enrollment Under PPA (QDIA)
31 Executive Compensation Technical Update

11:20AM-11:50AM Morning Refreshment Break & Vendor Display

11:50AM-1:05PM Concurrent Sessions (Select One)
32 General Investment Overview
33 Operational Defects, Prohibited Transactions (repeated in Session 48)
34 ESOPs – Implementing, Operating and Auditing
35 PPA Update (Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution)
36 401(k) Plan Technical Update
37 Service Providers – Bundled & Unbundled
38 Equity Based Compensation Design Do’s & Don’ts

1:05PM-2:05PM Luncheon

2:05PM-2:15PM Change Break

2:15PM-3:30PM Concurrent Sessions (Select One)
39 Limited Scope Audits
40 Alternative Investments - Auditing & Reporting (repeat of Session 28)
41 Stable Value FSP – One Year Later (repeat of Session 14)
42 A Discussion of the New Communication Standards – SAS 112 & SAS 114 (repeated in Session 54)
43 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans for Tax-Exempt Entities
44 Behavorial Economics
45 Hear it from the IRS: Determination Letters – Process & Practical Pointers

3:30PM-4:00PM Afternoon Refreshment Break and Vendor Display

4:00PM-5:30PM General Session
46 Ask the Regulators

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Main Conference, Day Three
6:30AM-5:00PM Registration and Message Center Open

6:45AM-8:00AM Continental Breakfast and Vendor Display

7:00AM-7:50AM Discussion Sessions (Select One)
204 SAS 70 Basics
205 Health & Welfare Plans Q&A
206 Accounting & Reporting
207 Fees, Services & Fiduciary

7:50AM-8:00AM Change Break

8:00AM-9:15AM Concurrent Sessions (Select One)
47 DOL Findings, Observations and Best Practices (repeat of Session 7)
48 Operational Defects, Prohibited Transactions (repeat of Session 33)
49 Form 5500 – Compliance & Reporting (repeated in session 57)
50 11K Audits (repeat of Session 27)
51 Your Clients in an IRS/DOL Audit
52 Compensation and Benefits Issues Under FIN 48 and the New Tax Preparer Standards
53 Reading the Actuary Report – Defined Benefit and Health & Welfare

9:15AM-9:45AM Morning Refreshment Break and Vendor Display

9:45AM-11:00AM Concurrent Sessions (Select One)
54 A Discussion of the New Communication Standards SAS 112 & SAS 114 (repeat of Session 42)
55 Unique Issues Related to SAS 70s (repeat of Session 26)
56 Audit Efficiencies
57 Form 5500 – Compliance & Reporting (repeat of Session 49)
58 Defined Benefit Carveouts & Creative Uses of Defined Benefits
59 Plan Governance
60 Forget Me Nots – Common Errors in Administration (repeated in Session 65)

11:00AM-11:10AM Change Break

11:10AM-12:25PM Concurrent Sessions (Select One)
61 Ask the Experts
62 Who is the Employer & Employee
63 Internet Research
64 Cafeteria Plan Regulations
65 Forget Me Nots – Common Errors in Administration (repeat of Session 60)

12:25PM Main Conference Adjourns