Join us for an in-person event like no other to network and learn with other young professional members! We will have two in-person learning locations which are listed above. Lunch will be provided and after the learning sessions we will have snacks and beverages for networking.
10:00 am - 11:50 am: Leading wih Purpose | Karli Moch
Join Karli as she guides leaders and organizations through a powerful exploration of cultivating significance in their culture. Through engaging storytelling and insightful reflection, attendees will be inspired to redefine success and align their individual, team and organizational missions with their deepest values and aspirations. Attendees will be guided through interactive exercises designed to uncover the unique strengths, passions, and aspirations of each team member. Through collaborative activities and strategic discussions, participants will identify the threads of purpose that weave through their organization, guiding them towards impactful action and meaningful growth.
This presentation will help motivate you to be the best you can be at home and at work. We will calculate our own hours and how they are spent. We will also look at tools for time management and setting priorities to find a rewarding and balanced life.
2:30 - 3:30 PM: We will have snacks and beverages for some networking time after the learning sessions for the day.
At the MNCPA Audits of Employee Benefit Plans Conference, get the practical, up-to-date information you need to deliver efficient and effective EBP audits. Gain new perspectives to navigate challenges and maintain compliance in the specialized area of employee benefit plan audits.
Designed for: CPAs, auditors and other financial professionals who are responsible for auditing employee benefit plans
Sessions: 8–9:20 a.m. A1. Department of Labor Update Lynne McMennamin, CPA, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC
Within the Department of Labor, the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) monitors compliance with reporting requirements for all ERISA-covered employee benefit pension and health and welfare plans. Hear directly from Lynne McMennamin, assistant chief in the OCA’s Division of Reporting Compliance, about the OCA, why it matters to you and how it affects Form 5500 filings.
Explore findings from the most recent Audit Quality Study, issued in December 2023. Learn about common reporting deficiencies (and how to avoid them), types of OCA enforcement actions and how to help clients comply with ERISA regulations. Gain clarity on the types of notices your clients might receive, how you can help navigate them and what you can do to ensure your audits are satisfactory.
FOS: Auditing - Technical (1.5)
9:30–10:45 a.m. B1. Impact of Recent Auditing Standards on Employee Benefit Plans Darlene Bayardo, CPA, Bayardo Accounting and Consulting, PC, Newport Beach, CA
New auditing standards may require changes in your firm’s audit methodology, especially in performing EBP audit risk assessments. Look at recent auditing standards (SAS No. 142-145) that may impact the 2024 ERISA employee benefit plan audit season, including audits of ERISA plan financial statements for periods ending Dec. 31, 2023. Make sure you’re up to date so your audits are conducted in accordance with professional standards and carried out efficiently and effectively. Find out when additional documentation is required and get tips to reduce the risk of deficient audits. Come away with valuable insights and a broader perspective on how others are implementing the new standards.
FOS: Auditing - Technical (1.5)
10:55–11:45 a.m. C1. Audit Implications of Plan Changes Randy Dummer, CPA, Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough PLLC, Chattanooga, TN
Anytime an employee benefit plan endures a change – from switching providers or terminating a plan to EBP freezes, mergers or other big events – there are downstream audit implications and risks. Examine these scenarios and the impact they have on your audits. Find out what to look for and how to adjust your audit approach to address the additional risks that accompany plan changes.
FOS: Auditing - Technical (1)
12:45–1:35 p.m. D1. Recent Findings in Peer Review Randy Dummer, CPA, Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough PLLC, Chattanooga, TN
Peer review findings shed light on important issues and opportunities for your audit practice. Look at real-life examples of issues identified in recent peer reviews that have implications for all EBP audits. Learn what peer reviewers are looking for and how to avoid problems. Plus, review professional standards in a variety of areas, including ERISA audits, through the lens of peer review findings.
FOS: Auditing - Technical (1)
1:45–2:35 p.m. E1. Compensation and Compliance Testing Debra Linder, JD, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Minneapolis, MN
Kristin Tveit, CPA, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Saint Cloud, MN
The definition of compensation is a very common compliance issue with 401(k) plans. Compensation comes in many forms and can be very complex. Not adhering to the compensation definition, or failing compliance testing, can lead to costly tax qualification issues for plan sponsors. Learn about common issues with following the plan's definition of compensation, what compensation is included and excluded, and how compensation is intertwined with compliance testing. Examine the various compliance tests that apply to defined contribution plans. Find out how to design audit procedures to detect issues with compensation and compliance testing, as well as how to navigate issues that arise.
FOS: Auditing - Technical (1)
2:50–4:30 p.m. F1. Panel Discussion: Ask the Experts Moderator: Marjorie Heap, CPA, Eide Bailly LLP, Plymouth, MN Panelists: Darlene Bayardo, CPA, Bayardo Accounting and Consulting, PC, Newport Beach, CA
Lynne McMennamin, CPA, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC
Randy Dummer, CPA, Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough PLLC, Chattanooga, TN
This interactive session highlights the unique perspectives of a variety of seasoned leaders in the employee benefit plan auditing space. Hear from Lynne McMennamin, Darlene Bayardo and Randy Dummer about pressing hot topics affecting your work.
FOS: Auditing - Technical (2)
Speakers:
Bayardo, Darlene Bayardo Accounting and Consulting, PC, Newport Beach, CA
Darlene Bayardo, CPA, the founder of Bayardo Accounting and Consulting, PC, has more than 25 years of experience with national public accounting firms and private accounting. She has extensive knowledge of the audits of employee benefit plans. Bayardo focuses on ERISA audit quality and risk management. Bayardo's expertise facilitates technical consultations, the development of audit and accounting guidance, resources and training programs for employee benefit plan auditors, industry development communications, and quality reviews for EBP practices.
Dummer, Randy Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough PLLC, Chattanooga, TN
Randy Dummer joined HHM in 2011 as a quality control partner in the Accounting and Assurance Department. He leads the firm in many initiatives including the peer review practice and employee benefit plan audit niche, in addition to providing technical reviews for clients in multiple industries such as auto dealerships, nonprofits, construction and manufacturing. Dummer is a nationally recognized employee benefit plan audit specialist and leads discussions for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) in this area. As the review captain for approximately 50 peer reviews each year, he helps other CPA firms raise the bar of quality for accounting, auditing, and attestation services. In addition, Dummer is an approved Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) audit specialist for the AICPA enhanced oversight project.
Heap, Marjorie Eide Bailly LLP, Plymouth, MN
Marjorie H. Heap, CPA, a senior manager with Eide Bailly, LLP, has experience in all phases of employee benefit plan engagements including planning, execution and quality control. In addition, she has a wide variety of public accounting experience covering all levels of financial statement service across several industries, developing and teaching training programs, and involvement in various levels of firm quality control.
Linder, Debra Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Minneapolis, MN
Debra J. Linder, JD/MA, CPA, is a shareholder in the compensation planning and employee benefits group at Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. She advises large and small public, closely held and tax-exempt employers on plan design, administration and compliance issues. She speaks frequently to professional and business groups about recent developments in benefits and executive compensation. In the past, she served as adjunct faculty at the University of St. Thomas, teaching courses in the administration of retirement and welfare benefit plans.
McMennamin, Lynne U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC
Lynne McMennamin, CPA, is an Assistant Chief in the Division of Reporting Compliance (DRC) in EBSA’s Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA). She has been with OCA for 10 years in roles in both the DRC and in Division of Accounting Services. Prior to this, McMennamin worked in public accounting, specializing in Employee Benefit Plans, for over 20 years, including 10 years as a partner in an international accounting firm. She previously served on the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Expert Panel and the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center Executive Committee.
Tveit, Kristin CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Saint Cloud, MN
Kris Tveit, CPA, is a principal with CliftonLarsonAllen in the Benefit Services Group. She specializes in providing assurance, tax, and consulting services to plan sponsors of various employee benefit plans including 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension, employee stock ownership, defined benefit, and health and welfare plans. Tveit has over 30 years of experience in public accounting. She is a national practice leader of the CLA employee benefit plan audit practice. Tveit is responsible for developing and implementing the employee benefit plan audit approach and also leads various firm-wide initiatives for operational excellence, audit innovation and financial reporting for employee benefit assurance services at CliftonLarsonAllen more info...
Develop a foundation of business valuation knowledge that you can use to pursue certification or enhance your related consulting and advisory offerings. Business valuation concepts will be demonstrated with a real-world case study to tie theory and practice together. Practitioners in public practice and industry will benefit from an increased understanding of the relationship between accounting and finance from a business valuation perspective.
Major subjects:
Business valuation purposes and intended users
Valuation standards and other requirements
Appraisal principles and approaches
Qualitative and quantitative valuation analysis
Discounts, premiums, and adjustments
Objectives: Understand how to value a business using theory and practical tools.
Designed for: CPAs in public practice and industry
Instructor:
Dr. Shawn Stumphf, CPA ABV CFE ASA-BV is the managing director of Forvalas, a boutique firm that specializes in business valuation, forensic accounting, and economic damages. He has prepared over 1,000 business valuation reports for various purposes including litigation support, estate and gift tax reporting, and transaction negotiations. Dr. Stumphf has valued businesses from $500,000 to $500,000,000 in annual revenue in a variety of industries, and been qualified as an expert witness in numerous jurisdictions. In addition to consulting work, he teaches accounting and finance topics to undergraduate and graduate students. more info...
Get together with other small firms in North Dakota to discuss and learn about some of the big topics.
Schedule is coming soon but here is a list of the important topics we are going to discuss:
ND Economic Update
Licensure and Profession Update from the Society
State of Cyberthreat Landscape
Staffing & Recruiting
Firm Compliance
FSA Programs
Succession Planning
Corporate Transparency Act and BOI
Credits: 16 CPE credits
Fees: Add $25 if registereing after Monday, May 22
Member - $350
Nonmember - $450
Cancellation and Refunds: Full refund if received 10 working days prior to conference. A $30 admin fee is charged if cancelin less than 10 working days before conference. Exceptions considered on a case by case basis. more info...
The practical application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the accounting profession is spreading like wildfire with the release of powerful applications such as ChatGPT. A byproduct of this evolution is the origination of new ethical dilemmas for CPAs on how to address the use of this technology in the delivery of their services. This course, presented by John Higgins, CPA, a nationally recognized technology advisor to the profession, will provide CPAs with a practical framework for addressing the various ethical issues that can arise with the application of AI in their work.
The Management Conference gives CPAs and other financial professionals who work in Business and Industry a chance to step away from their daily tasks and see what's on the horizon. Our sessions focus on many key areas affecting you today such as management and financial issues, technology, human resources and personal development. The conference is developed by and for our CPAs in business and industry but you will find that the sessions are of interest to the business community in general.
Our schedule features Chris Kuehl, Jim Lindell, and Boz Bostrom. Check out the full schedule below.
The Management Conference gives CPAs and other financial professionals who work in Business and Industry a chance to step away from their daily tasks and see what's on the horizon. Our sessions focus on many key areas affecting you today such as management and financial issues, technology, human resources and personal development. The conference is developed by and for our CPAs in business and industry but you will find that the sessions are of interest to the business community in general. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.
Our schedule features Chris Kuehl, Jim Lindell, and Boz Bostrom. Check out the full schedule below. Schedule more info...
This 100 -minute webinar is designed to help viewers understand the foundations of generative AI, distinguish between risks and benefits of this emergent technology, and be better equipped to identify opportunities and determine policy around AI into the future. Throughout the course, students will delve into a range of critical topics, analyzing real-world case studies and engaging in thought-provoking discussions. They will explore both the ethical implications and practical applications of AI, enabling them to make informed decisions and contribute to responsible AI development.
Learning Objectives
When you complete this course, you will be able to:
Evaluate existing and emerging legal and regulatory frameworks for AI, and their implications for ethical development and deployment.
Analyze the vulnerabilities and risks associated with AI, such as adversarial attacks, data poisoning, and AI-driven disinformation.
Apply effective strategies for mitigating risks and ensuring ethical AI practices.
Discuss the ethical challenges posed by AI technologies and the need for responsible development.
