Calibre CPA Group PLLC

7:30 AM - Networking / Introductions - Refreshments
8:15 AM - “Guaranteed Income Benefits in 401(k) Plans” presented by Prudential Retirement
9:00 AM - “Hate Your 401(k) Year-End Testing? Tips to Make Your Job Easier with Plan Audits, 5500 Changes, and New Requirements” presented by James Kokolas, CPA, Partner of Calibre CPA Group, sponsored by Victory Investments
9:45 AM - “Managing Stress at Work and in Life” presented by Dr. Mark Bergel, Founder, A Wider Circle
10:30 AM - “Retirement Readiness: Driving Participant Behavior” presented by MassMutual Retirement Services and Hartford Financial
11:30 AM - “Monitoring Your 401(k) Plan Investments: An Update on Target-Date Funds, Investment Policy Statements, and Investment Reviews” presented by AFS Financial Group, LLC, sponsored by Pioneer Investments
12:30 PM - Luncheon "Hot Topics and Legislative Developments for Employee Benefit Plan Fiduciaries" presented by David N. Levine, ERISA Attorney, Groom Law Group, Chartered, sponsored by MFS Investments

Who Should Attend?
Our half-day educational conference is geared towards Chief Financial Officers, Benefit Managers, Human Resources Directors, Finance Directors, and other retirement plan sponsors within your organization. The event will feature in-depth presentations, pertinent information, and insight from leading subject matter experts in the 401(k) and qualified plan industry.

Continuing Professional Education
This event is a "group-live" event and will grant 5.0 hours of CPE credit.

Registration
If you would like to attend, register online at 401(k) Fiduciary Symposium

Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Jonathan Martin at (301) 961-8410 or by email at jonathanm@afsfinancialgroup.com

Form 990 Workshop

The last major revision by the IRS to Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, occurred in 1979. Since then, the tax exempt community has evolved and donors and other interested parties have pressured the IRS to create a Form that provides accountability as well as transparency. As such, the IRS revised Form 990 and for larger tax exempt entities, the new Form becomes effective for the 2008 tax year – calendar and fiscal year ends of December 31, 2008 and later.

Our workshop focused on the details behind the new and old questions on the Form, such as the organization’s operating policies and “safe harbor” questions.

Our program covered all new pertinent areas of Form 990, including, but not limited to:

governance policies and procedures;
management practices;
compensation reporting;
relationship disclosures; and
general tax compliance.

If you would like to receive a complimentary copy of the program materials, contact us or call 1.866.464.2839

Fourth Annual Conference on ERISA and Labor Compliance

In conjunction with Groom Law Group, our firm’s professionals presented the Fourth Annual Conference on ERISA and Labor Compliance on December 9, 2008. Topics covered included:

Defined Benefit Plan Funding - What is the effect of a change in funding status in light of the current financial crisis and what, if any, changes in funding rules can we expect in the future?

Meals, Entertainment, and Gifts, ERISA Conflict of Interest Rules, EBSA Enforcement Guidelines, and Related Reporting - This session will focused on the new rules governing giving and receiving of business gratuities and what has to be reported.

Form 5500 Reporting and 408(b)(2) Service Provider Regulations - New reporting requirements for Form 5500 and employee benefit plan service providers are expected to become effective January 1, 2009. Our discussion will centered on these changes and how you can best prepare for them.

Plan Asset Valuation and the Financial Crisis - Significant issues regarding the valuation of private equity arose even before the financial disaster hit. How are plans coping with these requirements and how do rules apply in times of a financial meltdown?

ICAP Audits, Form T-1, and Form LM-30 - This session centered on issues surrounding the Department of Labor’s Internal Compliance Audit Program (ICAP) and provided an update on Forms T-1 and LM-30.

If you would like to receive a complimentary copy of the program materials, contact us or call 1.866.464.2839

Changes to Federal Forms 990 and 5500

In conjunction with Groom Law Group, our firm presented the seminar, “Changes to Federal Forms 990 and 5500.” The Internal Revenue Service has implemented changes to Federal Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax and Form 5500, Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan. Revised reporting is designed to provide increased transparency for users of these documents.

Our seminar updated the proposed changes, how they could potentially impact an organization’s reporting, and how to prepare for that impact. In particular, our speakers discussed:

Form 990

New Governance and Management Questions
16 New Schedules
New Compensation Questions and Required Information
Increased Reporting on Political Campaigns and Lobbying Activities
Increased Reporting on Fundraising and Gaming Activities
Increased Reporting on Transactions with Interested Persons
Increased Reporting on Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships

Form 5500

Overview of New Form 5500 Requirements
Focus on Reporting Service Provider Compensation (Schedule C)
Coordination with DOL’s Proposed Service Provider (408(b)(2)) Regulation and Participant Disclosure Proposal
Outstanding Issues – Pending Guidance

If you would like to receive a copy of the handout materials from this program, please contact us

Plant the Seeds for a Fruitful Future: A Seminar

In conjunction with AFS Financial Group, our firm hosted a complimentary seminar designed to help with management of employee benefit fund(s). Topics presented were:

“How to Minimize Fiduciary Risk and Maximize Retirement Success in the Company’s 401(k) Plan” – presented by Alex Assaley, Retirement Planning Specialist and Alp Atabek, President and Registered Investment Broker, AFS Financial Group
“Changes to Form 5500: What You Must Know” – presented by James C. Kokolas, CPA, Partner, Calibre CPA Group

If you would like to receive a copy of the handout materials from this program please contact us

What is SAS 112 and How Will It Affect You? Seminar

In conjunction with Beyond the Bottom Line our firm presented "What is SAS 112 and How Will It Affect You?" Our seminar was designed to provide a topical discussion of Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 112, Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit, and its impact on tax exempt organizations. Topics included:

Overview of Risk Assessment Standards and SAS 112
Definitions of Key Terms
Application Examples and Strategies for Addressing Common Control Deficiencies in Not-for-Profits
Next Steps

If you would like to see our presentation materials, click here.

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Civic Opera Building, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60606 • 312.920.9400 phone • 312.920.9494 fax
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