Ellen Alphonso: Employee Benefit Plan Audit Best Practices

Ellen Alphonso, CPA, is a Senior Manager at Boyum Barenscheer PLLP and a recognized expert in employee benefit plan audits, with extensive experience guiding plan sponsors through the complexities of employee benefit plan compliance. Licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in Minnesota, Ellen has led audits for retirement plans ranging from under $500,000 to over $5 billion in assets, offering a rare depth of insight across a wide spectrum of plan sizes and structures.Known for her collaborative approach and clear communication style, Ellen excels at translating technical audit findings into actionable strategies for fiduciaries and plan management. Her work emphasizes not only regulatory compliance but also the importance of accountability, transparency, and a participant-first mindset.Ellen leads Boyum Barenscheer’s training initiatives for employee benefit plan audits, a vital component of the firm’s ongoing compliance with its EBPAQC (Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center) credentials. She also contributes her expertise as a member of the Minnesota Society of CPAs’ Audits of Employee Benefit Plans Conference Task Force, helping shape educational programming for practitioners across the state. Beyond her professional work, Ellen serves as the board treasurer for In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater, supporting the organization’s mission to foster creativity and community through the arts.In this episode, Eric and Ellen Alphonso discuss:Prioritizing specialized expertiseStrengthening audit scope and practicesAddressing common pitfallsLeveraging auditors as partnersKey Takeaways:Auditors with deep experience in employee benefit plan audits reduce errors and ensure compliance. Choosing specialists, especially for first-time audits, safeguards accuracy.Effective audits go beyond financials to include compliance checks, reconciliations, and verification of new employee contributions, building stronger systems.Errors often stem from overextended HR/payroll departments, manual processes, or system changes. Proactive integration and training minimize risks.Strong audit firms provide more than compliance—they communicate with service providers, share best practices, assist with onboarding, and support fraud prevention through security measures.“Absolute best practice I see in my superstar clients is they do reconciliations regularly and on an annual basis.” - Ellen AlphonsoConnect with Ellen Alphonso:Website: https://myboyum.com/leadership/ellen-alphonso/ Connect with Eric Dyson: Website: https://90northllc.com/Phone: [phone]Email: [e-mail] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/401kguy/ Important clarification from the podcast show dialogue: "If an ERISA plan exceeds 100 participants with an account balance but remains under 120 in perpetuity, then the plan would not require an audit for each subsequent year that it remains under 120 participants with a balance. Please verify current rules and check with your plan record-keeper, advisor, or CPA to ensure compliance with this requirement." The information and content of this podcast are general in nature and are provided solely for educational and informational purposes. It is believed to be accurate and reliable as of the posting date, but may be subject to change.It is not intended to provide a specific recommendation for any type of product or service discussed in this presentation or to provide any warranties, investment advice, financial advice, tax, plan design, or legal advice (unless otherwise specifically indicated). Please consult your own independent advisor as to any investment, tax, or legal statements made.The specific facts and circumstances of all qualified plans can vary, and the information contained in this podcast may or may not apply to your individual circumstances or to your plan or client plan-specific circumstances.