Employee Benefit Plan Audit

Audit and consulting services for employee benefit and retirement plans

Navigate the complexities of employee benefit plans 

An employee benefit plan (EBP) audit is more than a compliance exercise; it’s a window into plan management and operations. 

Plan sponsors have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of the participants of their plan with the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to them. The EBP audit plays a critical role in helping plan sponsors examine the operations of their plan  and can also shed light on opportunities for improvement. 

BDO conducts efficient EBP audits that provide insight into the operations of your plan with minimal business disruption. As one of the largest employee benefit plan audit firms, we have experience with plans of all sizes and levels of complexity, including Fortune 500 plan sponsors with multiple plan types and billions of dollars in assets. We take a technology-enabled approach with tools like our Global Portal to streamline project management and communication. We also advise plan sponsors on regulatory and reporting standards.  

To stay current with the dynamic regulatory environment, our professionals receive specialized training on EBP audit standards and other employee benefit plan topics. Dedicated to providing value-added service to our clients, we are available throughout the year to discuss current business, operational, regulatory, accounting and auditing matters affecting all types of employee benefit plans. 

How BDO Can Help

Capabilities

BDO is a founding member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center (EBPAQC). We actively support its mission to ensure the quality and integrity of all employee benefit plan audits.  

Our audit experience includes: 

  • 401(k) and 403(b) plans 
  • Profit-sharing and stock ownership plans  
  • Defined benefit pension plans 
  • Health and welfare benefit plans 
  • Master trust arrangements 
  • Complex and alternative investments 
  • Initial and stub period audits 
  • Form 5500 and Form 990 or 990T Filings 

BDO has a long, blue-chip track record of helping public companies comply with annual Form 11-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

Our professionals perform full-scope audits for plans that file Form 11-K, including those with complex and alternative investment arrangements. 
 
We also ensure plan audits are performed in compliance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) standards. 

We help clients understand and comply with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). We can assess regulatory audit readiness and remediate internal control weaknesses. Our advisory services also include guidance on: 
  • Plan mergers, acquisitions and spin-offs 
  • Full or partial plan terminations 
  • Department of Labor and Internal Revenue System (IRS) investigations 

Through our ERISA Center of Excellence, we address current developments impacting plans and their respective audits. Visit the ERISA Center of Excellence to stay abreast of emerging trends and requirements. 

BDO’s highly specialized health and welfare benefits audit team allows for a thorough, compliant and error-free audit process year over year.

Client, Director, Total Compensation Programs

BDO Global Portal

BDO’s Global Portal is a personalized, secure, cloud-based window into both your business and your BDO relationship. It is a gateway to insights – from the market, your organization, your data, and from BDO – and a platform for communication and collaboration. 

The Portal provides you with a single, global view of engagements, allowing for greater transparency, more streamlined work processes, and centralized data and document management. Communication with your BDO professionals is easier than ever before, with interactions integrated into your day-to-day in a way that works best for you and your organization. 

 

Employee Benefit Plan Audit Insights

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At BDO, you can do much more than fulfill your career ambitions — here, you can explore your full potential. That’s because we’re committed to helping our employees achieve on both personal and professional levels.