PEP & 401(k) Audits

The audit firm built for
your retirement plan.

Pepper helps employers and plan administrators complete benefit plan audits faster, manage their DOL filings, and avoid the penalties that come from getting it wrong.

Get Your Proposal → See Pricing

Or email hello@pepperauditors.com

Pepper Auditors, Inc. & Pepper Auditors, PLLC: Annual 103(a)(3)(C) audits are required for ERISA-covered retirement plans with 100 or more eligible participants at the start of the plan year. Plans filing Schedule H with the DOL are subject to this requirement. Certain conditions may affect your threshold. Consult a qualified ERISA professional to confirm your plan’s obligations.

AICPA EBPAQC Member
Licensed CPA Firm
PEP Specialists

Who It's For

Purpose-built for retirement plans and the teams that power them

Pooled Plan Providers

You're the named fiduciary and administrator. You need an auditor who understands your obligations and won't slow you down.

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Employers

You sponsor a 401(k) for your team. You need a focused auditor who delivers on time with fixed pricing and no surprises.

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TPAs & Recordkeepers

You coordinate across multiple adopting employers. You need an auditor who can handle the complexity without creating more work for you.

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Advisor-Led PEPs

You've built a PEP to serve your clients. You need an audit partner who reflects the quality you promise them.

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Why Pepper

We only do retirement plans.
That focus changes everything.

PEP expertise from day one

No ramp-up. No explaining how pooled plans work. We've structured our entire practice around this specialization.

Fixed, transparent pricing

We quote based on plan complexity, not hours. You'll know exactly what the engagement costs before we start.

One document request

Not 5-10 rounds of follow-ups. One comprehensive request upfront. We respect your time and keep the process tight.

24-hour response time

Questions answered fast. Status updates without asking. No vanishing into a black box for weeks.

Modern audit technology

Automated testing, secure portal, real-time visibility into where your audit stands. No more spreadsheet chaos.

How It Works

Three steps to a painless audit

1

Share Your Details

Tell us about your plan structure, participant count, and timeline. Get an instant proposal with your exact price.

2

Lock In Your Engagement

Accept your fixed-price proposal. We'll send one comprehensive document request and establish your timeline.

3

Relax While We Work

We handle the audit with minimal disruption. Weekly status updates, delivered on schedule. No surprises.

The Difference

Traditional audit firms vs. Pepper

Traditional
Pepper
Document Requests
5-10 rounds of follow-ups
1 comprehensive request
Response Time
Days to weeks
Within 24 hours
Pricing Model
Hourly billing (unpredictable)
Fixed price upfront
PEP Experience
Learning on your dime
Day-one expertise
Timeline
Uncertain, often delayed
Predictable, on schedule

Pricing

We believe in transparent pricing.

Our fees are based on plan complexity — not hours. Get an instant proposal with your exact price in under 2 minutes.

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Fixed fee No hourly billing

FAQ

Common questions

Most CPA firms treat retirement plan audits as a side business. We only do retirement plan audits. That focus means every member of our team has deep expertise in ERISA, DOL requirements, and the specific complexities of pooled employer plans. You won't spend time educating our staff on how your plan works.
We quote based on plan complexity — number of participants, adopting employers, plan features — not hours. The price we quote is the price you pay, assuming the scope doesn't materially change. No surprise invoices, no "we went over budget" conversations.
Most PEP audits take 2-4 weeks from kickoff to final report, depending on plan size and complexity. We establish a timeline at the start of the engagement and stick to it. You'll receive weekly status updates so you always know where things stand.
We send one comprehensive document request at the start of the engagement — not a drip of requests over months. Typical items include plan documents, trust statements, payroll records, participant census data, and contribution/distribution records. We'll provide a detailed checklist tailored to your specific plan structure.
Yes. Beyond annual audits, we provide advisory support for DOL inquiries, correction programs (EPCRS and VFCP), and operational questions that come up throughout the year. Our team has experience navigating DOL examinations and can help you respond appropriately.

Ready to get started?

Get your audit proposal in under 2 minutes. Fixed pricing, no surprises.

Get Your Proposal →

Or email us at hello@pepperauditors.com