AICPA, state societies, labor department expand national education campaign on fiduciary responsibilities and health benefits compliance.

The AICPA, state CPA societies and the U.S. Department of Labor are expanding their nationwide campaign to improve workers' health and retirement security by educating employers and service providers about their fiduciary responsibilities under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The expanded program is part of a series of compliance assistance initiatives by the department's Employee Benefits Security Administration, which regulates employee pension and health benefit plans for U.S. workers.

As trusted advisers to the small business community, CPAs, CPA/Personal Financial Specialists and their clients are being invited to attend free compliance seminars involving DOL, IRS and Health and Human Services administrators. The AICPA Personal Financial Planning membership section is coordinating the seminars in partnership with the DOL. AICPA material related to the Institute's 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy campaign is being distributed at the seminars, and state societies are branding events as financial literacy activities because they involve the protection of employee retirement and health benefits--important elements of the AICPA nationwide financial literacy program. Approximately 14 seminars on fiduciary responsibility and health benefits will be scheduled in 2005.

The campaign also includes educational materials on such topics as understanding fees and selecting an auditor. These materials and more are featured on a dedicated Web page. The publications and information on the upcoming seminars is available electronically at www.dol.gov/ebsa or by calling 866/444-EBSA (3272).