Benefit Plan Advising & Auditing I Meaden & Moore

Meaden & Moore employee at a conference table

Dedicated Resources

In today’s regulatory environment, a strong focus from a firm in the benefits world is needed to navigate the complexity of ERISA, DOL, and IRS regulations surrounding benefit plans. If an issue were to arise with regulatory agencies, Meaden & Moore is fully qualified to represent your organization. We will work together as a collaborative team with you and your outside parties.

Acquiring Success with an Employee Benefit Plan Audit

One of our 401(k) audit clients was experiencing significant growth at the corporate level and acquired two companies over the course of four years. As part of these transactions, they required audits of the acquired entities’ 401(k) plans and turned to us for our expertise.

professionals discussing employee benefit plan audits

Reap the Benefits

Are You Considering an ESOP?

Meaden & Moore has assembled a team of professionals with the technical and industry expertise necessary for ESOP implementation to ongoing ESOP management. Our team approach to servicing clients brings better ideas and more diverse thinking to help our clients meet their goals. Our holistic approach to clients provides all-inclusive solutions.

We have relationships with trustees, attorneys, third-party administrators, and financial institutions that assist us in providing the most knowledgeable professional advice available in this very specialized field.

Meaden & Moore team member standing next to office wall

Meaden & Moore ESOP advisor meeting with client

Your Comprehensive ESOP Partner

ESOP Companies

Meaden & Moore understands the accounting, tax, and business issues that at times can be a challenge to ESOPs, and recognize the distinct opportunities an ESOP provides to its employee-owners. As ESOP advisors, we keep our clients informed of current developments that affect ESOPs. We provide comprehensive internal training to assist our staff in becoming highly skilled business advisors.

Our services include audited, reviewed or compiled financial statements, tax planning and preparation, ESOP plan audits, assistance in applying ESOP accounting, employee communication and ESOP education consulting and management transition planning.

Companies Considering an ESOP

In addition to working with ESOP clients, we also help companies consider an ESOP structure. Our team will help you understand how an ESOP works, the benefits and risks of employee ownership, what the process looks like, and whether or not it’s right for you.

Our services include:

Transaction Consulting and Assistance
Review of ESOP Feasibility Study – Is It Right for Your Company?

ESOP advisor talking with client about retirement benefits

The Characteristics of a Healthy ESOP

ESOPs aren't for every organization, but they can be perfect solutions for many businesses. When done right, ESOPs provide employees with great retirement benefits and serve as reliable exit vehicles for owners.

Improve Fiduciary Oversight

Fiduciary Assessments

As a fiduciary, you act solely in the interest of your plan participants and beneficiaries. You provide benefits to participants while prudently carrying out your duties, following the plan documents, diversifying plan investments, and paying only reasonable plan expenses.

If these responsibilities have become too hard to handle on your own, Meaden & Moore can help. Together, we can improve the fiduciary oversight of your plan and make sure it complies with the federal ERISA statute.

Meaden & Moore employees talking about fiduciary standards and training

Our Resources

With the benefit of an AIFA® certified professional on staff, Meaden & Moore has a comprehensive understanding of fiduciary responsibilities, gained through successful completion of the training on a fiduciary standard. We complement that knowledge by training on ISO-like assessment procedures (i.e., Fi360). The result – enabling fiduciaries to conform to this standard of excellence.

Fi360 is the leading fiduciary training and resource organization in the United States. Every company that embraces Fi360 shares a common commitment to spreading the knowledge and application of the Prudent Practices for Investment Fiduciaries among brokers, investment advisors, financial planners, and other investment professionals in the U.S. and abroad. The Fi360 curriculum designers develop the AIFA's and other fiduciary training programs, which are delivered to thousands of investment professionals, advisors, and stewards every year.

Industry-Leading Insights

Delivering insights and points of view on vital news, strategies to consider, technology developments, and current topics that are important to your business and personal financial success. Check here for content from Meaden & Moore professionals.

IRS Halts Processing of New Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Claims – What Now?

Where Is My Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Refund? Part 2

How to Prepare for an Audit of Your Employee Retention Credit (ERC)

Defining Your Employee Benefits Strategy

Answers to Common Questions About ESOPs

Answers to Common Questions About Employee Retention Credits (ERCs)

How to Calculate Return on Equity (ROE) with the DuPont Formula

DOL Issues Changes to Benefit Plan Audit Requirements and Form 5500

How Do ESOPs Work and How Well Do They Perform for Employees

Secure Act 2.0—Changes to Retirement Plans

Construction Industry Economic Outlook Presented by FMI

Where Is My Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Refund?

Cybersecurity for Employee Benefit Plans

Claiming the Employee Retention Tax Credit Using Form 941-X

Lease Standard ASC 842 Implementation Solutions

Proposed Regs for Inherited IRAs Bring Unwelcome Surprises

Benefit Plan Considerations Your Organization Should Consider in the Current Talent Climate

PCAOB's 2021 Conversations with Audit Committee Chairs

What’s In Store if the SECURE Act 2.0 Gets Signed into Law?

WEBINAR: ESOP Repurchase Obligation - Considerations for 2022

Employee Retention Credit for Recovery Startup Businesses

Highlights of Accounting Lease Standard ASC 842

ESOP vs. Non-ESOP Companies: What’s the Difference?

Has the Coronavirus Pandemic Been Kind to ESOPs?

Utilize Internal Controls to Prevent Employee Fraud and Embezzlement

Why Industry 4.0 Represents the Future of Manufacturing

New Auditing Standard – SAS 136 will Impact Employee Benefit Plan Audits

IRS Issues Retirement Plan Limits for 2022, Pension Plan FAQs

Policy and Climate Change: Recent Actions and Their Impact on Accounting

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - Compliance Overview

Advantages of Utilizing an ESOP In a Transition Strategy

Are You Thinking About Your ESOP Repurchase Obligation?

How to Guard Against the Most Common Cyberattacks

Journal Entries for Employee Retention Credits

Important Factors for Hiring Quality Employee Benefit Plan Auditors

New Employee Retention Credit Guidance - PPP Forgiveness Gross Receipts, Owner Wages, Employee Counts, Amended Income Tax Returns and More

SBA Streamlines Forgiveness for Smaller PPP Loans

Employee Plan Corrections: IRS Offers Updated Guidance

How to Improve Your Business Using Data Analytics

PPP Forgiveness and Repayment: What Businesses Need to Know Now

Managing Your Retirement Plan - How to Stay on Top of Complex Requirements

SECURE Act 2.0? How Retirement Plans Might Change

Diversity + Inclusion Spotlight - Pride Month

Diversity + Inclusion Spotlight - Empathy

Diversity + Inclusion Spotlight - Workplace Culture

ESOP Valuations - How 2020 Changed Things

Questions to Ask Yourself to Assess Your Cybersecurity Risk

WEBINAR: The Employee Retention Credit - Deep Dive into How to Qualify and Calculate

PPP Application Deadline Extended

Diversity + Inclusion Spotlight—Respectful Communication

Employee Retention Credits (ERC) – What Is a Partial Shutdown?

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

Are you Eligible for the Employee Retention Credit?

PPP Revisions Target Smallest Businesses

Diversity + Inclusion Spotlight - Black History Month

WEBINAR: 2021 Economic Outlook and JobsOhio Incentive Programs

What Plan Sponsors Need to Be Thinking About in 2021

Sales and Use Tax Implications on Construction Contracts

Employee Retention Credits in 2021 – Considerations for Contractors

Fiduciary Risk Alert: Missing Plan Participants – DOL Offers Long-Awaited Guidance

Second Draw PPP Loans: How to Calculate Revenue and Maximum Loan Amounts Including What Documentation to Provide

WEBINAR: Stimulus Bill Overview – PPP is Back, Employee Retention Credits, and Much More

Additional Guidance from SBA for PPP Second Draw Loans - What Do I Need and When Can I Apply?

Employee Retention Credits (ERC) - Do You Qualify Now?

Stimulus Bill Update – PPP is Back for Another Round and Expenses are Tax-Deductible

WEBINAR: PPP Loans – An Update on What Bankers are Seeing as Loans get Processed

Benefit Plan Compliance Alert 2021: Are You Ready?

How to Implement an ESOP: 5 Decisions You Need to Make

Recent Legislation Created New Retirement Plan Opportunities for Small Businesses

SBA Audits of Paycheck Protection Program Loans – Questionnaire for Loans over $2 million

Starting an ESOP? Do These Three Things First

Accounting for Forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans

Construction Accounting - Using Accounting Data to Help Project Managers Manage Their Projects

The ESOP Participant’s Guide to ESOP Funding Rules

WEBINAR: PPP Forgiveness Application Time – Are You and Your Bank Ready?

The IRS Issues Guidance on the Executive Action Deferring Payroll Taxes

Best Practices for ESOP Companies

WEBINAR with FMI: Imagining a Reimagined Future - US Construction Outlook Post COVID-19

PPP Loans - Timing of Recognition of Forgiveness

A Recap of CARES Act Changes for Defined Benefit Plans

PPP Forgiveness Covered Period Considerations – Longer Covered Period and More Expenses Could Cancel Out Reduced FTE and Salary Reduction Penalties

Internal Controls in the Age of the CARES Act

Can I use Data Analytics in my Business?

Updates and Revisions to PPP Loan Forgiveness – File Early, Reduced Business Safe Harbor

WEBINAR: Where Do We Go From Here?

Guidance Issued by the AICPA on Accounting and Reporting for PPP Loan Forgiveness

Should I use 8-weeks or 24-weeks for my PPP Loan Covered Period?

The Benefits of an ERP Audit in the COVID-19 Era

Should You Apply for PPP Loan Forgiveness Now?

PPP Loan Forgiveness Documentation Checklist

Cash flow considerations related to defined contribution retirement plans under COVID-19

Considerations on Accounting and Reporting for PPP Loan Forgiveness

What You Need to Consider as You Seek Loan Forgiveness – Q&A Highlights

PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form Released

SBA Extends Repayment Deadline Until May 18, 2020

WEBINAR: How Your Organization Can Adjust to the New Normal

Working Capital Adjustments – Why and How?

The IRS Clarifies the Deductibility of PPP-Funded Expenses

SBA Extends the PPP Repayment Deadline for Self-Certification

401(K) Plan Internal Controls Improvements

Remove the worry and fiduciary risk from managing your employee benefit plan. Typically, with first-year employee benefit plan audits, there can be errors in the plan where the plan sponsor is not following the plan’s provisions included in their plan document.

two employees talking and walking through the office

Meet Our Experts

At Meaden & Moore, our people are our most vital asset, providing the strength behind our reputation, technical excellence, and top-notch quality service. Wherever your business operates, you can count on the leaders at Meaden & Moore to provide the comprehensive services you need.

Carlo Berlingieri, CPA

Carlo has 23 years with the Meaden & Moore Assurance Services Group.

Joseph T. Manolas, CPA

Joe is a Senior Manager in Meaden & Moore’s Assurance Services Group ...

Luda Arkhipov, CPA

Luda is a Senior Manager in Meaden & Moore’s Assurance Services Group ...

Michelle H. Buckley, CPA, AIFA®

Michelle is a Vice President in Meaden & Moore’s Assurance Services ...

Karen B. Cooney, CPA

With extensive tax research and consulting, Karen has dealt with a wide ...

Hillary Kastelic, CPA

Hillary is a Senior Manager in Meaden & Moore’s Assurance Services ...

Alison M. Martanovic, CPA

Alison is a Senior Manager with Meaden & Moore and has been with the ...

Sarah K. Lynch, CPA

With over 15 years working in public accounting, Sarah’s accounting ...

Brian D. Dunfee, CPA, CEBS

With over 20 years in public practice, Brian has extensive audit ...