Caron & Bletzer

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) audits can be hassle-free and efficient when organizations embrace the services offered by dedicated experts who use cutting-edge technology and industry best practices. With over 20 years of excellent track record characterized by quality, Caron & Bletzer has positioned itself as one of the first and largest accounting firms exclusively focused on ERISA-governed employee benefit plan audits.

Many organizations find it daunting to find a CPA firm competent to navigate the nuances of ERISA audits and accurately carry out the process. Caron & Bletzer has filled this gap in the market by specializing in auditing 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit, ESOP, and funded welfare benefit plans for DOL and SEC reporting purposes.

“Our 100 percent concentration on the ERISA area has emerged as a key strategy guiding us toward success. This sharpens our competitive edge,” says John Bletzer, partner in charge of the employee benefit assurance practice and quality control at Caron & Bletzer.

The team is adept at understanding the specialized requirements as it applies to client plans and provides cost-effective audit and consulting services. For a variety of reasons, plan sponsors are often delinquent in their filings and subject to DOL fines.

A common issue in a defined contribution plan is that the definition of compensation, as defined by the plan document, is improperly implemented in the payroll system. With attention to detail, Caron & Bletzer helps organize and gather the correct data, selects smart samples to better identify errors, walks clients through correction programs, and prepares and reports on financial statements for the form 5500 filing so that they can comply with DOL rules.

To deliver on this promise, the company has developed its proprietary in-house audit software, Atlas. It is a scheduling and time, and billing system that also acts as an integrated workflow software with a secure portal for the safe exchange of data with clients.

Using the software, Caron & Bletzer sends its engagement letters to clients early, on December 1st each year, to make the process a low-stress one and ensure they are well ahead of audit deadlines. By January, it actively engages with clients, conducting preliminary planning.

The team then transitions to information collection. It publishes all its questions to clients on the portal, through which they can provide the required data, including census and payroll files and custodial reports, in response to those questions. The goal is to have the information collected by February and March.

The software then schedules the audit for clients. The status of audits is tracked in real-time and automated emails are sent to them when due dates are upcoming or missed. The software is also highly interactive, allowing for live updates on the status of deliverables.

A member of the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center (EBPAQC), Private Company Practice Section and Tax Section, and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), Caron & Bletzer adheres to the highest practice standards. At its heart is a strong focus on accuracy and quality at every step of the way, which enables it to continually train its team members to adapt to evolving industry regulations.

With a relentless pursuit of excellence and an entrepreneurial spirit ingrained in its DNA, Caron & Bletzer audited 1000 ERISA benefit plans in the U.S. last year, covering over one percent of the market. This accomplishment has placed it among the top ten ERISA auditing firms in the industry.

Caron & Bletzer’s journey over the years has been nothing short of inspirational, and the company will continue pushing new boundaries.