Auditing employee benefit plans (EBPs) requires specialized knowledge, experience, and a deep understanding of a highly regulated environment. Without the appropriate expertise, CPA firms and plan sponsors face increased risk and heightened regulatory scrutiny.
We help firms and plan sponsors navigate the complex and evolving requirements imposed by the Department of Labor (DOL), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and other regulatory bodies. Our services provide the insight and support needed to promote compliance, reduce risk, and operate confidently in today’s dynamic regulatory landscape.
We are employee benefit plan subject matter experts with deep expertise in auditing, accounting, compliance, and filing requirements across all plan types. Our flexible service offerings support both audit firms, through services such as EBP Engagement Quality and pre-issuance quality reviews, and plan sponsors, including financial statement preparation, with the experience and resources needed to address your specific needs.
Darlene Bayardo, founder of Bayardo Accounting and Consulting, PC, has more than 25 years of experience with national public accounting firms and private accounting. She has extensive knowledge in the audits of employee benefit plans. She focuses on ERISA audit quality and risk management. Her expertise facilitates technical consultations, development of audit and accounting guidance, resources and training programs for employee benefit plan auditors, industry development communications, and quality reviews for EBP Practices.
Darlene Bayardo is the founder of Bayardo Accounting and Consulting, PC, and brings nearly 30 years of experience spanning national public accounting firms and private industry. She collaborates with accounting firms across the country to strengthen the quality, consistency, and compliance of employee benefit plan (EBP) audit practices.
Darlene’s work focuses on enhancing audit quality and managing risk through technical consultations, comprehensive quality reviews, and the development of customized training programs, guidance, and practical resources. She also partners directly with plan sponsors to assist in preparing accurate, compliant financial statements in accordance with professional standards and ERISA requirements.
A frequent speaker on technical EBP matters, Darlene has presented at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants EBP Conferences and various state conferences. She is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and participates in its annual EBP conference as a speaker and as part of the conference planning committee. Darlene has served on the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Expert Panel and the AICPA Technical Standards Subcommittee of the Professional Ethics Executive Committee.
A recognized thought leader in the EBP audit community, Darlene is a frequent speaker on complex and evolving EBP technical matters. She has presented at national conferences hosted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and at numerous state society conferences. She is actively involved with the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, where she regularly presents at the annual EBP conference and serves on the conference planning committee.
Darlene has held several leadership roles with the AICPA, including serving on the Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center Executive Committee, the Employee Benefit Plan Expert Panel, and the Technical Standards Subcommittee of the AICPA’s Professional Ethics Executive Committee.
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