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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250424T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250424T140000
DTSTAMP:20260414T012613
CREATED:20250120T194752Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T194752Z
UID:10000420-1745499600-1745503200@www.belfint.com
SUMMARY:Strafford: Audits of Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs)
DESCRIPTION:Christopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA is presenting Strafford’s Webinar – Audits of Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) \nTopic: Audits of Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) \nDate: April 24\, 2025 @ 1:00pm EDT \nThis webinar will explain pooled employer plans (PEPs) for businesses and accountants considering implementing or recommending this new flexible retirement plan option. Our panel of seasoned retirement plan auditors will cover eligibility requirements for PEPs\, design considerations\, and differences between PEP audits and other examinations. \n\nFor more information\, visit Strafford’s Website.
URL:https://www.belfint.com/event/strafford-pep-audits/
CATEGORIES:BLS Speaking Engagement
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.belfint.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/strafford.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250306T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250306T150000
DTSTAMP:20260414T012613
CREATED:20250120T200005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251215T191328Z
UID:10000421-1741266000-1741273200@www.belfint.com
SUMMARY:Strafford: Employee Benefit Plan Audit Peer Reviews
DESCRIPTION:Christopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA is presenting Strafford’s Webinar – Employee Benefit Plan Audit Peer Reviews \nTopic: Employee Benefit Plan Audit Peer Reviews \nDate: March 6\, 2025 @ 1:00-2:50pm EDT \nFirms that audit employee benefit plans must pay careful attention to peer review preparation and anticipate the reviewer’s concerns about handling participant data\, investments\, fees\, contributions\, and other aspects of the plan. The plan audit group’s reputation is at stake during these reviews. \nPeer reviewers routinely find substandard risk assessment procedures\, failure to properly document the procedures performed\, improper reliance on SOC reports\, failure to test investment transactions earnings\, timely remittance of employee contributions\, and other problems in reviewing benefit plan audits. Plan audit groups often struggle to assess risk adequately. \nListen as our veteran employee benefit plan advisers and auditors help you evaluate your firm’s peer review preparation and proactively address noncompliance issues that often arise during inspections. \n\nFor more information\, visit Strafford’s Website.
URL:https://www.belfint.com/event/strafford-benefit-plan-audit-peer-reviews/
CATEGORIES:BLS Speaking Engagement
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240124
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240125
DTSTAMP:20260414T012613
CREATED:20240129T154112Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240129T154126Z
UID:10000332-1706054400-1706140799@www.belfint.com
SUMMARY:Strafford: 401k Annual Audits: Anticipating Serious and Costly Errors\, Understanding the Latest SASs\, and Impact of Recent Legislation
DESCRIPTION:Christopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA is co-presenting Strafford’s Webinar – 401k Annual Audits: Anticipating Serious and Costly Errors\, Understanding the Latest SASs\, and Impact of Recent Legislation \nTopic: 401k Annual Audits: Anticipating Serious and Costly Errors\, Understanding the Latest SASs\, and Impact of Recent Legislation \nDate: January 24\, 2024 \nCo-Presenters: \n\nChristopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA – Belfint\, Lyons & Shuman\, CPAs\nKristin Ryan\, CPA – Ryan + Mann\n\n\nProficiency in administrating and auditing 401(k) plans requires staying on top of myriad and ever-changing IRS\, DOL\, and accounting rules and regulations. Most 401(k) plans with more than 100 participants with balances (formerly included eligible employees) must attach audited financials to the Form 5500\, which are closely scrutinized by the DOL and IRS.Audit professionals and advisers must know red flags identified by the IRS and DOL in Form 5500 filings and be able to identify these problems prior to filing the Form 5500 to get ahead of any issue with the IRS. \nOur panel of veteran professionals will review differences in non-ERISA Section 103(a)(3)(C) and ERISA Section 103(a)(3)(C) audits\, recent changes made under SASs affecting retirement plan audits\, and new considerations for these audits regarding new legislation and changes including the SECURE Acts. \nListen as our panel offers best practices and insights based on real world experience for avoiding common high-risk mistakes associated with 401(k) audits. The panel will also outline approaches to identify and correct plan errors before an audit or after a filing and how recent SASs and the SECURE Act modify audit requirements. \n\n\nFor more information\, visit Strafford’s Webinar Listing.
URL:https://www.belfint.com/event/strafford-401k-audits/
CATEGORIES:BLS Speaking Engagement
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230525T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230525T150000
DTSTAMP:20260414T012613
CREATED:20230412T164549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230412T165513Z
UID:10000276-1685019600-1685026800@www.belfint.com
SUMMARY:Preparing Forms 5500\, 5500-SF\, and 5500-EZ
DESCRIPTION:Christopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA\, will be a panelist at Strafford’s Webinar – Preparing Forms 5500\, 5500-SF\, and 5500-EZ: Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan \nTopic: Preparing Forms 5500\, 5500-SF\, and 5500-EZ: Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan \nDate: Tuesday\, May 25\, 2023 \nTime: 1:00pm – 2:50pm ET \nPanelists: \n\nChristopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA – Belfint\, Lyons & Shuman\, CPAs\nJeanne Schanzenbach\, QPA\, CPC\, ERPA – Limestone Pension Associates\n\n\n\nForms 5500\, 5500-SF\, and 5500-EZ satisfy the annual reporting requirements of the IRS\, DOL\, and PBGC. These series of forms provide these federal agencies with information about an employer’s benefit plans. Form 5500 generally must be filed by large employer plans (those that cover 100 participants or more at the beginning of the year). Form 5500-SF may generally be filed by small employer plans (those that cover less than 100 participants at the beginning of the plan year. Form 5500-EZ is generally filed for one-participant plans\, which means the plan covers the owner (and spouse)\, one or more partners in a partnership\, and does not provide benefits for anyone except an owner\, spouse\, or one or more partners. Accurate reporting on these forms is important because the IRS and DOL monitor the forms and certain details may trigger an IRS audit or DOL investigation. Completing these forms completely and accurately\, and filing these forms timely is extremely important. The SECURE Act increased the penalty for late filing a Form 5500.\n\n\n\nThe IRS penalty for late filing of a 5500-series return has increased 10-fold to $250 per day\, up to a maximum of $150\,000.\nThe DOL penalty for late filing can run up to $1\,100 per day\, with no maximum.\n\nTax advisers working with employers maintaining employer benefit plans must understand the due dates\, filing requirements\, and how to complete these returns properly. Listen as our panel of employee benefit plan experts walks you through the preparation of Forms 5500 and related schedules\, including tips for completing the form efficiently and avoiding potential audit triggers. \n\n\nFor more information\, visit Strafford’s Webinar Listing.
URL:https://www.belfint.com/event/strafford-form-5500-webinar/
CATEGORIES:BLS Speaking Engagement
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220517T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220517T150000
DTSTAMP:20260414T012613
CREATED:20220321T125607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220321T125607Z
UID:10000213-1652792400-1652799600@www.belfint.com
SUMMARY:Mastering Form 5500 Schedule H: Avoiding Audit Triggers
DESCRIPTION:Christopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA\, will be a panelist at Strafford’s Webinar – Mastering Form 5500 Schedule H: Avoiding Audit Triggers \nTopic: Mastering Form 5500 Schedule H: Avoiding Audit Triggers \nDate: Tuesday\, May 17\, 2022 \nTime: 1:00pm – 2:50pm ET \nPanelists: \n\nChristopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA – Belfint\, Lyons & Shuman\, CPAs\nLinda T. Fisher – 5500 Consulting\n\n\nSchedule H of Form 5500 provides important plan financial and compliance detail to the IRS and DOL. Schedule H is generally required to be completed and attached to Form 5500 for plans that cover more than 100 participants. A completed Form 5500 Schedule H will appropriately report the financial position of the plan and communicate answers to a series of compliance questions. \nEffective for plans with years ending after December 15\, 2021\, Statement on Auditing Standards 136 (SAS 136)\, Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements of Employee Benefit Plans Subject to ERISA\, makes changes to the independent qualified public accountant’s audit opinion\, which changes how a preparer will fill out Part III of the Schedule H. Retirement plan professionals need to be aware of the recent changes made to the Form 5500 to properly complete it. \nListen as our experienced panel provides a thorough and practical guide to mastering Form 5500\, with a specific emphasis on Schedule H\, Financial Reporting for Employee Benefit Plans\, as well as the impact of recent accounting changes to Form 5500 filing requirements. \n\n\n  \nFor more information\, visit Strafford’s Webinar Listing.
URL:https://www.belfint.com/event/strafford-form-5500-schedule-h-webinar/
CATEGORIES:BLS Speaking Engagement
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.belfint.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/strafford.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20210610T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20210610T150000
DTSTAMP:20260414T012613
CREATED:20210412T191826Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210412T191826Z
UID:10000121-1623330000-1623337200@www.belfint.com
SUMMARY:Preparing Forms 5500\, 5500-SF\, and 5500-EZ: Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan
DESCRIPTION:Christopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA\, will be a panelist at Strafford’s Webinar – Preparing Forms 5500\, 5500-SF\, and 5500-EZ: Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan \nTopic: Preparing Forms 5500\, 5500-SF\, and 5500-EZ: Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan \nDate: Thursday\, June 10\, 2021 \nTime: 1:00pm – 2:50pm ET \nPanelists: \n\nChristopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA – Belfint\, Lyons & Shuman\, CPAs\nJeanne Schanzenbach\, QPA\, CPC\, ERPA – Limestone Pension Associates\n\n\nThis webinar will explain what plans are required to file Forms 5500\, 5500-SF\, and 5500-EZ\, how to prepare these required information returns and related schedules\, and the most recent changes to these forms.\n\n\n\nThe Form 5500\, 5500-SF\, and 5500-EZ satisfy the annual reporting requirements of the IRS\, DOL\, and the PBGC. These series of forms provide these federal agencies with information about an employer’s benefit plans. The Form 5500 generally must be filed by large employer plans (those that cover 100 participants or more at the beginning of the year). The Form 5500-SF may generally be filed by small employer plans (those that cover less than 100 participants at the beginning of the plan year. The Form 5500-EZ is generally filed for one-participant plans\, which means the plan covers the owner (and spouse)\, one or more partners in a partnership\, and does not provide benefits for anyone except an owner\, spouse\, or one or more partners. \n  \nAccurate reporting on these forms is important because the IRS and DOL monitor the forms and certain details may trigger an IRS audit or DOL investigation. Completing these forms completely and accurately\, and filing these forms timely is extremely important. The SECURE Act increased the penalty for late filing a Form 5500. \n\nThe IRS penalty for late filing of a 5500-series return has increased ten-fold to $250 per day\, up to a maximum of $150\,000.\nThe DOL penalty for late filing can run up to $1\,100 per day\, with no maximum.\n\n  \nTax advisers working with employers maintaining employer benefit plans must understand the due dates\, filing requirements\, and how to complete these returns properly. \n\n\n  \nFor more information\, visit Strafford’s Webinar Listing.
URL:https://www.belfint.com/event/strafford-benefit-plan-form-prep/
CATEGORIES:BLS Speaking Engagement
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20210323T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20210323T150000
DTSTAMP:20260414T012613
CREATED:20210219T194554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210302T180507Z
UID:10000020-1616504400-1616511600@www.belfint.com
SUMMARY:Webinar: Employee Benefit Plan Voluntary Correction Programs: Fixing Costly Errors and Preserving Tax Benefits
DESCRIPTION:Christopher J. Ciminera\, CPA\, QKA\, will be presenting at Strafford’s Webinar – Employee Benefit Plan Voluntary Correction Programs: Fixing Costly Errors and Preserving Tax Benefits \nTopic: Employee Benefit Plan Voluntary Correction Programs: Fixing Costly Errors and Preserving Tax Benefits \nDate: Tuesday\, March 23\, 2021 \nTime: 1:00pm – 2:50pm ET \n  \nThis webinar will provide employee benefit plan auditors with best practices and the proper procedures to remedy serious and costly (but all too common) benefit plan errors through available IRS and DOL retirement plan correction programs. The panel will explain the processes and potential pitfalls that practitioners often encounter in correcting plan mistakes and outline how to address these issues based on real-world experiences.\nIdentifying an operational error during the plan audit is usually only the first step. As a valued service provider\, your client generally will request your help to correct operational failures identified during the audit. To be able to appropriately guide them through the correction and to keep the plan in compliance\, you must stay on top of the IRS’s and DOL’s ever-changing rules and regulations and understand the available options to correct mistakes once they are discovered.To appropriately assess risk in the audit and help correct identified errors\, employee benefit plan auditors and advisers must understand the most prevalent errors and have familiarity with the government’s compliance programs. Our panel will explain how you can provide additional value to your client by helping identify and correct errors in their retirement plan operations–before an IRS audit or DOL investigation occurs. \nOur panel will elaborate on the available options to fix plan errors. The panel’s insights will help you identify common errors and effectively collaborate with service providers\, potentially including ERISA counsel\, to present the client with the available correction options for their consideration. The program will help you gain an understanding of different types of corrective actions under the IRS’s Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) and the DOL’s Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance (DFVC) and Voluntary Fiduciary Correction (VFC) programs. \nListen as our panel offers insights based on real world experience for remedying high risk mistakes commonly identified during benefit plan audits. The panel will also outline approaches to correct plan errors before an audit or after a filing. \n\nFor more information\, visit Strafford’s Webinar Listing.
URL:https://www.belfint.com/event/strafford-voluntary-correction-program-webinar/
CATEGORIES:BLS Speaking Engagement
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