ERISA Conference - Beaverton
8.0 Credits
Member Price $315.00
Non-Member Price $395.00
Overview

Employee benefit plan audits are complex. It can be an immense challenge to follow proper procedures and maintain current compliance. Our ERISA experts will address plan documentation, compliance and the most relevant issues and topics to help you master the ERISA process.
We encourage in-person attendance to maximize engagement, interaction, and networking. If you're unable to attend onsite, a live webcast option is available.
A special thank you to the members of the ERISA Project Committee for developing the 2026 conference.
Highlights
- Department of Labor Update, with Chief Accountant, Marcus Aron
- Make Sure You’re Covered! – Interpreting Plan Non- Discrimination and IRS Limits Testing
- When Deferrals Go Wrong: Fixing and Preventing Costly Mistakes
- ERISA Plan Document Arena
- Access to Alternative Investments
- Data Security for Professionals
- What Else Do You Need to Know about SECURE 2.0?
Designed For
Auditors in public practice seeking an update on topics affecting ERISA audits and professionals who want to increase their understanding of this unique area.
Objectives
To provide you with an overview of important issues related to ERISA audits.
June 4, 2004
General Session
- What Else Do You Need to Know about SECURE 2.0?
Darren Holsey, Owner and Executive Consultant, Premier Retirement Services Inc
Darren Holsey
Darren Holsey is one of the owners of Premier Retirement Plan Services headquartered locally here in Oregon. He is nearing 35 years in the industry as a TPA. Darren has been a long-time contributor for the National Institute of Pension Administrators (NIPA) serving on the education/examination and membership committees, the Annual Conference (NAFE) planning committee as both member and chair and he is a past President of NIPA's Board of Directors where is served for 16 years. He is an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent, a member of NIPA and ASPPA. On a personal note, Darren still competes nationally as a wakeboarder and coaches on the side, so if you're ever want to get out on the water, hit him up to take you out!
(3/13/26)
Legislators could have done a lot better in developing the legislation going into SECURE 2.0, but as is always the case, hindsight is 20/20 and besides, controversy gives us something to talk about and demonstrate our value to our clients. To that end, some of the biggest and best stuff is in relation to tax credits for new plan setup and automatic enrollment, which is now a requirement for most new plans any way. Additionally, the act added a lot of opportunity for tax planning and discussions in regard to the retroactive setup of new plans, over the new catch-up contribution rules and the limiting of top-heavy contribution requirements. This session will give a sweeping look at SECURE 2.0, and I hope to show you how to turn it into one of the most valuable tools in your quiver.
This session is available to registrants only.
June 4, 2026
General Session
- Welcome & Opening Remarks
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Make Sure You’re Covered! – Interpreting Plan Non- Discrimination and IRS Limits Testing
Colleen Windham, Director of Retirement Plan Services, Independent Retirement Consulting
Colleen Windham
Colleen Windham, CPA, is the Director of Retirement Plan Services at Independent Retirement (Inde). In this role, she manages both offshore and onshore teams in addition to consulting on topics such as Form 5500 reporting, missed deferrals, compliance testing, and plan design. She is an avid teacher and trainer, taking opportunities to speak and write articles across multiple professional organizations.
(3/13/2026)
When third party administrators deliver annual compliance testing results, plan sponsors and advisors are often presented with multiple reports that include percentages, classifications of included and excluded employees, and technical terminology that can be difficult to interpret. These results frequently generate questions from staff and clients who seek clear explanations and practical guidance.
This session provides a structured overview of qualified retirement plan coverage, nondiscrimination, and contribution limit testing. Participants will examine the purpose of each major compliance test, interpret common testing results, and evaluate corrective action options when failures occur. The session will also address safe harbor plan design features and common testing pitfalls so that practitioners can better advise clients and improve plan outcomes.
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- When Deferrals Go Wrong: Fixing and Preventing Costly Mistakes
Colleen Windham, Director of Retirement Plan Services, Independent Retirement Consulting
Colleen Windham
Colleen Windham, CPA, is the Director of Retirement Plan Services at Independent Retirement (Inde). In this role, she manages both offshore and onshore teams in addition to consulting on topics such as Form 5500 reporting, missed deferrals, compliance testing, and plan design. She is an avid teacher and trainer, taking opportunities to speak and write articles across multiple professional organizations.
(3/13/2026)
What happens when 401(k) plan operations don’t go exactly as intended? Maybe a participant was not timely enrolled, SECURE 2.0 automatic enrollment requirements were missed, or a bonus deferral election wasn’t followed correctly. These situations can lead to missed deferral opportunities (MDOs), but they are fixable.
In this session, we will define what constitutes a missed deferral opportunity, explore the common ways they arise, and walk through correction methods using current IRS guidance. We will also share practical, real-world strategies auditors can use to help clients strengthen processes and reduce the likelihood of future errors.
This session is available to registrants only.
- Break
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- ERISA Controlled & Affiliated Service Group Analysis
Jason Douthit, Douthit Employee Benefits Law LLCJason Douthit
Jason Douthit earned a B.A. at San Francisco State University (Labor Studies and Philosophy) and Juris Doctor from the School of Law and the University of California, Davis (2006). Jason's practice is focused on ERISA/employee benefits (including both retirement and health plans) and executive nonqualified deferred compensation plans.
(4/2/26)
Description coming soon!
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Access to Alternative Investments
Vincent Cacciottoli, Owner, Foster Garvey PCVincent Cacciottoli
Vince Cacciottoli, J.D., is a principal with Foster Garvey, PC, a Northwest law firm with offices in Seattle, Portland, Spokane, New York City, Washington D.C. and Tulsa. Vince has more than 30 years of experience, knowledge and insight to bear in navigating employers through the complex laws that impact the design, operation and termination of employee benefit and executive compensation plans.
Vince serves as an advisor to the boards, committees, trustees and key executives of private and public companies, financial institutions and nonprofit organizations.
He resolves compliance issues for retirement, health and welfare and executive compensation plans. He also negotiates the administrative and investment contracts and agreements for those plans, advises on fiduciary and directors' and officers' liability, corporate governance and plan investment issues, and he handles benefit and executive compensation issues in mergers and acquisitions.
Vince is also a popular speaker on employee benefits and executive compensation issues with business and professional groups.
He is listed in Best Lawyers in America and was named Best Lawyer of the Year for Employee Benefits/ERISA Law in Portland, Oregon for 2024, 2019, and 2015. He is also a Fellow in the prestigious American College of Employee Benefits Counsel. Vince is a Past President of the Western Pension & Benefits Conference and served on the Portland chapter board. Originally from New York City, he received his B.A. from New York University and his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.
(4/3/26)
Description coming soon!
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Lunch Break
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Department of Labor Update
Jennifer Keim, Senior Auditor, US Department of LaborJennifer Keim
Jennifer Keim is a Senior Auditor within the Office of the Chief Accountant at the DOL. Prior to joining the DOL, she worked in public accounting for 16 years, primarily auditing employee benefit plans. She has experience with 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, pension plans and SEC Form 1-k filing requirements. In addition, being a CPA, Jennifer has also attained the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation.
(6/2/26)
Do you wonder what’s going on at EBSA’s Office of the Chief Accountant? Come to this session and find out. This session will include a discussion of the work done with regards to plan audits and Form 5500 filings. Learn common reporting deficiencies and tips on how to help your clients be compliant with ERISA. Also learn why some audits of employee benefit plans are deemed deficient and what you can do to help make sure your audits are satisfactory.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Data Security for Professionals
David Higgins, Internal Revenue Service
David Higgins
David Higgins works as an IRS Tax Specialist in Seattle, WA serving as the primary IRS contact to practitioners, industry, and business organizations throughout Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, and Alaska.
David educates on a variety of tax topics to all taxpayer communities, including employers, community groups, small business resource partners and tax practitioner organizations.(4/3/26)
Everyday, tax professionals are the target of cybercriminals. IRS wants to help keep your business and your reputation safe. Protecting clients is also the law. Protect your clients, and you protect yourself.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Break
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Closing Remarks & Conference Adjourns
This session is available to registrants only.
Non-Member Price $395.00
Member Price $315.00
Registration for this event is closed.