Michigan 401k Audit Services | 8 Best 401k Audit Firm in Michigan
POINTS
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Michigan 401(k) audits check plan compliance and accuracy.
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Plans with 100+ participants generally need an annual audit.
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Auditors review contributions, investments, loans, and distributions.
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Late deposits and payroll errors are common audit issues.
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Specialized 401(k) auditors can simplify the audit process.
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Costs vary by plan size and complexity.
Michigan employers maintain thousands of workplace retirement plans.
Independent CPA firms provide 401(k) audit services for plans that require an annual audit under federal rules.
Employee benefit plan audits are performed by firms with specialized retirement plan practices.
Audit experience, industry focus, and firm size vary across Michigan providers.
When Is A 401(k) Audit Required?
Reaching 100 participants? See when a 401(k) audit is required and what employers need to know.
Check If You Needed One?Top Michigan 401(k) Audit Firms
A look at leading Michigan-based CPA firms performing employee benefit plan (EBP) audits, including their sector focus and estimated fee tier.
Plante Moran
Size/Ranking: ~7th-largest US CPA firm; MI’s largest, 1,400+ plans audited annually
- Member of AICPA EBPAQC
- Broad: 401(k), 403(b), DB, ESOPs, non-profits, govt.
- Clients incl. public charities like Mott Foundation
Doeren Mayhew
Size/Ranking: 6th-largest MI firm (440 employees); top-100 US firm
- Dedicated EBPA specialty practice
- Serves manufacturing, credit unions, and more
- Lists MI EBPA partners on site
Forvis Mazars
Size/Ranking: National firm (formerly BKD); #2 US EBP provider
- AICPA EBPAQC member
- Partners have helped write industry guides
- Clients incl. auto, manufacturing, PEOs
Baker Tilly
Size/Ranking: Top-15 US firm; MI offices in multiple cities
- EBPAQC member since inception
- 2,000+ EBP audits per year
- Works with trusts, public sector, healthcare
Rehmann
Size/Ranking: Regional firm; AICPA “Firm of the Year” 2023
- AICPA EBPAQC member
- Wide plan types: 401(k), 403(b), DB
- Clients in manufacturing, healthcare
CBIZ CPAs
Size/Ranking: Nationwide (rebranded MHM); ~1,900 EBP audits/year
- EBPAQC member
- Broad: DB, DC, 401(a), ESOP, welfare plans
- Fortune 500 to small business clients
Hungerford
Size/Ranking: Largest West Michigan firm
- Regional EBPA specialists
- Offers audits and Form 5500 prep
- Serves manufacturing, schools, agribusiness
RSM
Size/Ranking: #4 US national firm; strong in the Midwest
- EBPAQC member
- National EBP practice
- Focus on wealth mgmt, manufacturing, tech
Firm details, rankings, and fee tiers are estimates provided for informational purposes and may change. Contact each firm directly for current pricing and engagement terms.
Michigan 401k Audit Preparation Checklist (for Sponsors)
What Is a 401(k) Audit?
A 401(k) audit is a formal review of a company’s 401(k) retirement plan to verify that it is being managed properly.
That participant contributions and plan assets are accurately reported, and that the plan follows applicable laws and regulations.
Why is a 401(k) audit performed?
A 401(k) audit helps confirm that:
- Employee payroll deductions are deposited correctly and on time
- Employer matching contributions are calculated correctly
- Plan investments and records are accurate
- Participant accounts match the plan’s records
401(k) Audit Check
401(k) Auditors Near Me: Find the Right CPA
Need a 401(k) audit? Find qualified auditors near you, understand when an audit is required, what it costs, and how to choose the right CPA.
Find a 401(k) AuditorWhich Michigan Plans Require Audits?
401(k) plans with 100 or more participants generally are required to include an independent audit report with their annual Form 5500 filing under ERISA.
| Michigan 401(k) Plan Type | Typical Participant Count | Audit Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Large employer 401(k) plan (private company) | 100+ participants with account balances at beginning of plan year |
Yes
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| Mid-size 401(k) plan | 80–120 participants |
Maybe
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| Small employer 401(k) plan | Fewer than 100 participants with account balances |
Usually no
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| Solo 401(k) / one-participant plan | Owner (and possibly spouse) only |
Usually no ERISA audit
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| Michigan nonprofit 401(k) plan | 100+ participants |
Yes
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| Michigan healthcare, manufacturing, education, or service employer 401(k) | 100+ participants |
Yes
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| Governmental retirement plan not covered by ERISA | Varies |
Depends
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Plans with fewer than 100 participants may qualify for an audit exemption if they meet the requirements for the small plan filing exception.
If the plan had fewer than 80 participants with balances last year and does not exceed 120 this year, the plan generally would not require an audit until it crosses the applicable threshold.
ERISA Audit Requirements
An employee benefit plan with 100 or more participants at the beginning of the plan year must have an annual ERISA audit.
The audit requirement applies to many large retirement plans, including:
- 401(k) plans
- Pension plans
- Profit-sharing plans
- Large 403(b) plans
Smaller plans may qualify for an audit exemption if they meet DOL requirements.
Detailed Audit Procedures and Common Issues
Employee Benefit Plan audits performed evaluate key areas that affect plan financial reporting and compliance with ERISA requirements, including
- Participant records
- Contributions
- Investments
- Benefit payments, and
- Internal controls.
| Audit Area | What Is the Auditor Checking? | Common Problems Found |
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| 1. Participant Records (Census Testing) |
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| 2. Employee & Employer Contributions |
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| 3. Plan Investments & Assets |
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| 4. Participant Loans & Distributions |
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| 5. Internal Controls & Plan Administration |
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How to Choose a Michigan 401(k) Audit Firm
The goal is to find a CPA firm that knows retirement plan audits, has experience with plans like yours, and can guide you through the process.
| Step | What You Do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Find Out If You Need an Audit | Confirm your plan needs a 401(k) audit | Check your plan requirements and deadlines before looking for an auditor |
| 2. Search for 401(k) Audit Specialists | Look for CPA firms that regularly audit retirement plans | Avoid choosing a firm that only does taxes or general accounting |
| 3. Make a List of 3–5 Firms | Create a short list of possible auditors | Include firms with experience working with plans like yours |
| 4. Check Their Experience | Ask how many 401(k) audits they perform | More experience usually means they understand common retirement plan issues |
| 5. Check Their Credentials | Review CPA licenses, quality programs, and experience | Look for firms involved with employee benefit plan audit quality programs such as EBPAQC |
| 6. Ask About Similar Clients | Find out if they audit companies like yours | A manufacturing company, nonprofit, or large employer may have different needs |
| 7. Schedule Interviews | Meet the audit team before hiring them | Make sure you are comfortable with their communication style |
| 8. Ask Simple Questions | Learn how they work | Ask: “Who will handle our audit?” “How long will it take?” “What will you need from us?” |
| 9. Compare Prices | Review audit fees from each firm | Understand what is included and what could cost extra |
| 10. Check References | Talk to other clients if possible | Ask whether the firm was responsive and finished on time |
| 11. Review the Contract | Read the engagement letter carefully | Make sure it explains the work, timing, fees, and responsibilities |
| 12. Choose Your Auditor | Select the firm that offers the best combination of experience and service | The cheapest option is not always the best choice |
A strong 401(k) audit partner should make the process easier, explain requirements clearly, and help your organization meet its reporting responsibilities with confidence.
How Much Does 401(k) Audit Costs
401(k) audit fees vary based on the size of the plan, complexity of the investments, number of transactions, and how organized the plan records are.
Most standard audits fall within the ranges below, but fees can be higher for complex plans or situations requiring additional work
| Plan Size | Approximate Participants | Typical Annual Cost | What Usually Makes It More Expensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Plan | 100–200 participants | $8,000–$15,000 | More transactions, messy records, first-time audit |
| Medium Plan | 300–500 participants | $15,000–$25,000 | More employees, multiple payroll systems, more testing |
| Large Plan | 1,000+ participants | $25,000–$50,000+ | Complex investments, multiple locations, high transaction volume |
| Very Complex Plans | Multiple plans or special arrangements | $30,000+ | Multiple filings, unusual assets, additional reporting requirements |
Many EBPA auditors (e.g., Anders, PriceKubecka) use fixed-fee pricing.
This covers all fieldwork, testing, and reporting; clients pay little more for standard issues.
Michigan 401(k) Audit Requirements FAQ
A 401(k) plan generally requires an audit when it is considered a large plan under ERISA. This usually means the plan has 100 or more participants with account balances at the beginning of the plan year, subject to the 80–120 rule.
The 80/120 rule allows plans with 80–120 participants to keep their prior year filing status. This helps prevent frequent changes between small and large plan status.
A 401(k) audit must be completed by an Independent Qualified Public Accountant (IQPA). The auditor must meet professional requirements and issue an opinion on the plan’s financial statements.
The audit must generally be completed for the prior plan year and attached to the Form 5500 filing. Calendar-year plans typically file by July 31, with an extension available in certain cases.
Yes. Plans with fewer than 100 participants generally do not require an audit. Church plans, governmental plans, and certain plans meeting audit waiver requirements may have different rules.
Not always. A plan may still require an audit if it meets the large-plan threshold, even when assets are held by a bank or financial institution.
Failure to complete a required audit can result in penalties for Form 5500 reporting failures. The Department of Labor may provide correction options for certain late filings.
Employers should gather plan documents, payroll records, contribution data, and trust statements before the audit begins. Early coordination with the plan administrator and auditor can help identify issues.
The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) enforces ERISA requirements for 401(k) plans nationwide, including Michigan plans.
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