Search
Close this search box.
Home / Articles / New Audit Standard for Employee Benefit Plans: What You Need to Know

New Audit Standard for Employee Benefit Plans: What You Need to Know

January 4, 2022

Share:

Benefit plans with a year ending on or after December 15, 2021, will need to follow a new auditing standard. Statement on Auditing Standard No. 136, Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements of Employee benefit Plans Subject to ERISA, provides clarity over management and auditor responsibilities and additional transparency in reporting.

Updated Reporting

One of the more significant changes in the standard is the introduction of the ERISA Section 103(a)(c)(3) audit (previously referred to as a limited scope audit). Unlike a limited scope audit, which resulted in a disclaimer of opinion related to certified investment information, an ERISA Section 103(a)(c)(3) audit will provide a two-pronged opinion covering the audit and whether the certified investment information contained in the financial statements agrees to the certification. In addition, all ERISA audit reports [even if management does not elect an ERISA Section 103(a)(c)(3) audit] will have expanded wording relating to both auditor responsibilities and management responsibilities.

Additionally, auditors are now required to report, in writing, any “reportable findings” at the conclusion of the audit. Reportable findings can include identified instances of noncompliance or other areas the auditor determines significant or relevant to those charged with governance. Previously, auditors could have communicated less significant items verbally. As a result, management can expect to receive more written comments for their 2021 plan audit.

Updated Requirements for Plan Management

Expanded responsibilities for plan sponsors include:

  • Determining whether the plan audit qualifies for an ERISA Section 103(a)(c)(3) audit:
    • Are requirements met?
    • Is there a proper certification of investments?
  • Acknowledging management’s responsibility to:
    • Maintain a current plan instrument, including amendments
    • Administer the plan in accordance with plan provisions
    • Maintain sufficient records to determine participant benefits
    • Provide the auditor with a substantially completed draft Form 5500 prior to completing the audit

Updated Requirements for Plan Auditors

Expanded responsibilities for plan auditors include:

  • Performing engagement acceptance procedures—obtaining management’s acknowledgements as noted above and inquiring how management determined the plan qualified for an ERISA Section 103(a)(c)(3) audit
  • Evaluating management’s assessment of investment certification qualifications
  • Obtaining the most recent plan documents and design procedures necessary to assess whether the plan is following plan provisions
  • Reading the draft Form 5500 to identify any material inconsistencies to the audited ERISA plan financial statements and obtain revisions as necessary
  • Evaluating and communicating reportable findings in writing, with a description of the potential impact to the plan for each finding

Plan sponsors can find additional tools provided by the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center for more information.

See Part 2 of this series: How to implement the new standard.

 

All content provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Matters discussed in this article are subject to change. For up-to-date information on this subject please contact a Clark Schaefer Hackett professional. Clark Schaefer Hackett will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.

Guidance

Related Articles

Article

2 Min Read

ESOP evaluation from a succession planning perspective

Article

2 Min Read

Proposed regulations for inherited IRAs bring unwelcome surprises

Article

2 Min Read

Time to Increase Your Internal Audit Awareness

Article

2 Min Read

Preparing for New Employee Benefit Plans Audit Standard

Article

2 Min Read

Top Ten Strategies for End of Year Planning

Article

2 Min Read

IRS announces adjustments to key retirement plan limits

Get in Touch.

What service are you looking for? We'll match you with an experienced advisor, who will help you find an effective and sustainable solution.

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.