Author: Darlene Finzer
Article
New Audit Standard for Employee Benefit Plans Casts Bright Light on Role of Fiduciary
As a new auditing standard becomes effective this year for most employee benefit plans, individuals charged with managing and administering plans should be aware of their responsibilities as plan fiduciaries.
Blog
SAS 114: Essential Information May Be Hiding In Plain Sight
What the heck is a SAS 114 letter and why are you getting one? Read on to find out.
Events
Don’t SAS 136 Me! – How the New Auditing Standard is Impacting Employee Benefit Plan Sponsors
New audit standards mean new responsibilities for auditors and plan sponsors. With SAS 136 coming into effect for plans that will be audited in 2022, plan sponsors may want to become familiar with the new rules to ensure they are prepared.
Apr 7, 2021
Podcast
Episode 277: How To Plan For Your Permanent Vacation: Retirement
Your ideal retirement isn't gonna plan itself!
Blog
Now & Later: Don’t Just Plan For Your Next Vacation …
It's not breaking news - people are more likely to prepare for their next vacation before they plan for retirement. Read on to find out how to plan for both.
Blog
Social Security Questions Answered
Wondering if you are maximizing your Social Security benefits? Worried that you won't get what you need during retirement? We're answering your real questions.
Events
Social Security V. Medicare: Addressing Your Most Asked Questions
Will Social Security still be around when you retire? Are there ways to maximize your benefits? Is there a difference in Medicare options? Get answers to these questions and more.
Blog
Benefits Set To Increase In 2021, Says Social Security Administration
SSA will provide additional relief to retirees beginning 2021.
Blog
Retirement Is Knocking …
Wherever you’re at on the retirement spectrum there are practices you can put in place now to move you toward your retirement goals.
Blog
How Furloughs And Layoffs May Affect Company Retirement Plans
Gain insight on the long-term impact furloughs and layoffs will have on retirement plans.
Blog
What To Know About Layoffs & Partial Plan Terminations
Have you implemented (or plan on implementing) layoffs in your company? Before you do, consider how this decision will impact your retirement plan.
Events
Why Caregiving Is Becoming Prevalent In The Workplace
Join Darlene Finzer as she talks about why caregiving is becoming prevalent in the workplace during a special webinar co-presented by the Tuscora Chapter of SHRM.
Events
What Is Life After Coronavirus? Understanding The Impact During Your Retirement
There is a lot of uncertainty these days - especially if you are planning to retire or already have retired. This webinar will provide you with the insight you're looking for.
Dec 9, 2019
Podcast
Episode 214: Family Legacy Planning Explained
When it comes to planning your legacy, are you savvy or are you selfish?
Blog
Here’s The Scoop On Fiduciary Responsibility
Taking your fiduciary responsibility seriously is a must. Want to find out why? Here‘s the scoop!
Blog
Don’t Be A Statistic On The DOL’s Enforcement Report
Being selected is not always a good thing ...
Blog
The Power Of A SOC Report
If you contract with a vendor to help manage your company's employee benefit plan, as for a SOC report.
Blog
New Retirement Plan Legislation Keeps Up With The Times
Pending SECURE and RESA legislation aims to fix the retirement financial crisis and help workers save more for retirement. Read on to learn more.
Apr 15, 2019
Podcast
episode 179 – protect your elders
Elder abuse, it's a topic that isn't easy to discuss but is necessary to talk about. Listen to (or watch) this episode of unsuitable on Rea Radio to hear from Rea's professional in financial abuse, Darlene Finzer, as she discusses the growing elder abuse problem and how CPA's can combat it.
Apr 15, 2019
Podcast
episode 179 – transcript
Read the "official transcript" of this episode of unsuitable on Rea Radio to read what Darlene Finzer had to say about the role of CPA's in fighting back against the growing problem of elder abuse.
Blog
And The Times, They Are A-Changing
New regulations could allow small businesses to band together in an effort to offer associate retirement plans. Read on to discover what you need to know.
Blog
Prepare For The New Employee Benefit Plan Audit Standard Now – Not Later
Change is constant ... the same is true for your employee benefit plan audit standards. Read on to learn more.
Blog
Social Security: Not Just Another Tax
Ever wonder if you or your employees could opt out of paying Social Security based on religious reasons? Read on for answers.
Blog
How Long Do I Have To Keep This?
Are you tired of collecting paper? Who isn't?! Find out the document retention rules for plan sponsors under ERISA.
Blog
Are You Taking Your Nondiscrimination ADP Test For Granted?
Similar to preparing a student for a big test, there's only so much you can do to prepare your retirement plan for nondiscrimination ADP compliance testing. Read on to learn more.
Blog
The Buck Stops With You
Retirement plan sponsors, do you know what considerations to keep in mind before choosing a plan auditor? This article will help.
Blog
Plan Sponsors Can Predict The Future
It's time to predict the future ... err ... determine if your retirement plan has an audit requirement.
Blog
Don’t Just Sign On The Dotted Line
It can be tempting to blindly sign the representation letter from your audit team. After all, it's the only thing standing between you and your completed report. Keep reading to learn why you should proceed with caution.
Blog
‘More, More, More’ Is Not Always Better
The AICPA has proposed new auditing standards in the hopes of solving the wide-spread shortcomings associated with employee benefit plan audits. Read on to find out what's on the table.
Mar 13, 2017
Podcast
episode 72 – dropping the unsuitable ‘F-Bomb’ – fiduciary
Darlene Finzer and Paul McEwan, principals and benefit plan experts at Rea & Associates join Dave on this episode of unsuitable on Rea Radio to talk about the “F word” all plan sponsors should be acutely aware of – fiduciary. In recent years, there has been more mainstream attention to the role and requirements of … Continued
Blog
Suitable Suggestions Are No Longer Suitable For Fiduciaries Under New Rule
The Fiduciary Rule is an attempt to require anyone providing investment advice for a retirement account (in exchange for compensation) to act as a fiduciary. Read on to learn more.
Blog
‘Noteworthy Changes’ Shake Up Filing Requirements Among Plan Sponsors
Have you taken advantage of your chance to review advance copies of the 2016 Form 5500 to find out how the DOL's proposed changes will impact your business?
Blog
Ch-ch-ch-ch Changes On The Way For Form 5500 Filings
The DOL’s focus has been primarily on retirement plans, but that’s changing. Focus is shifting to health and welfare plans. Businesses that offer these plans should pay special attention to compliance.
Blog
Unlock The Savings Potential Of Your Plan’s Participants
Back when pensions were standard, workers could count on receiving payouts based on a formula that took their salary and the number of years they worked into consideration to determine their monthly income in retirement. That's not how it works today.
Blog
How Safe Is Your Plan Participants’ Data?
Retirement plan fiduciaries are held to a higher standard when it comes to protecting participant and beneficiary personal identifiable information. Find out how you can protect cybercriminals from breaching this sensitive data.
Blog
Department of Labor Finalizes Fiduciary Rule
The DOL released its final regulation to define who is expected to assume fiduciary responsibility of a retirement plan as determined by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Read on for tips to help you prepare.
Blog
Retirement Plan Sponsors: Do You Know What You’re Paying For?
If you don’t know the actual cost of plan services, how can you know if the price the plan is paying is reasonable? Are you paying a few dollars in convenience charges or a lot more? In order to meet your fiduciary responsibility as a retirement plan sponsor, it's your responsibility to find out. Read on to learn more.
Feb 9, 2016
Podcast
episode 19: it starts with a penny
On episode 19, “it starts with a penny,” Darlene Finzer, CPA, QKA, CSA, a principal and director of benefit plan audit services at Rea & Associates discusses the importance of taking control of your finances. By setting personal financial goals and developing a strategy for reaching those goals, you can prepare your bank account for … Continued
Blog
Bad Benefit Plan Audits Hurt Good Businesses
Protect your company from noncompliance issues that may result from choosing the wrong team to conduct your employee benefit plan audit. Read on to learn how.