Employee Benefits Conference

Employee Benefits Conference - Virtual

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Availability

Registration Required

Online Meeting

Dec 09, 2026 8:25 AM - 12:20 PM CT

Cost

Member: $275.00

Non-Member: $360.00

Retired: $275.00

Educator & Government & Non-Profit Member: $275.00

Credit Offered

4 CPE Credits

Field of Study:

1 Information Technology
1 Auditing
1 Personnel/Human Resources
1 Business Law

Wednesday, December 9, 2026
8:25 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Virtual
4 CPE Credits

Cost: $275 Member | $360 Non-Member

Hear directly from Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) leaders about investigations and cybersecurity best practices for employee benefit plans. This half-day virtual conference also examines key risks in health and welfare plan audits and strategies for managing remote and hybrid accounting teams. Gain practical guidance to support plan compliance, strengthen audit quality, and improve team performance.

CPAs and auditors who work with employee benefit plans, along with plan sponsors, fiduciaries, administrators, advisors, and finance and HR professionals responsible for plan oversight.

Suzy Blazeska, CPA, Blaze Benefit Plan Services
Rachael Bowman, CPA, Forvis Mazars LLP
Shawn Carter, CPA, Sassetti
Neil Dewan, CPA, Illinois CPA Society
Delante Greer, CPA, Opulentia
Bob Reitz, FCA, EA, MAA, Firethorn Actuarial Consulting
Austin Zarbuck, CPA, Grant Thornton LLP

Anne-Marie Kinahan

Associate Regional Director, Chicago Regional Office U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration

Anne-Marie Kinahan is the Associate Regional Director in the Chicago Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration. She provides technical guidance and training, serves as a liaison between EBSA and other agencies, conducts outreach, and provides compliance assistance regarding the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Ms. Kinahan joined EBSA as an Investigator in 2009. Since that time, she has conducted numerous plan level and service provider investigations, including ESOPs, MEWAs, group health plans, multiemployer plans, financial institutions, and investment advisors. Ms. Kinahan has a B.S. in Finance and Business Administration, a B.A in Political Science, and a J.D from the University of Florida. She is admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois.

Beth Lee Garner

CPA, Partner, Frazier & Deeter LLC

Frazier & Deeter (FD) is an award-winning professional services firm, comprised of Frazier & Deeter, LLC, a US licensed CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients, and Frazier & Deeter Advisory, LLC, an alternative practice structure that provides tax and advisory services to clients worldwide. Frazier & Deeter Advisory, LLC and its subsidiaries are not a licensed US CPA firm As an audit partner specializing in employee benefit plan at FD, Beth Lee has over 30 years of experience in accounting and auditing in the employee benefit industry. She is a certified public accountant (CPA) and a recognized EBP specialist who oversees the execution of high-quality and efficient audits for various types of employee benefit plans, including 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit, health and welfare, and ESOP plans. Beth Lee is passionate about what she does and loves to share her knowledge and expertise with her clients, colleagues, and the EBP community. She is actively involved in FD's initiatives, such as developing and teaching in-house training programs, designing the audit approach, creating marketing plans, reviewing SOC reports, conducting internal inspections, and writing the EBP thought leadership. She also contributes to several publications and speaks at various conferences and webinars on EBP audit topics. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering for various organizations.

Victoria Hale

CPA, A&A Learning Professional, Galasso Learning Solutions

Vicky is an accounting and auditing learning professional with nearly 15 years of experience helping accountants make sense of the standards that keep them up at night. She’s a licensed CPA in Virginia with expertise in U.S. GAAP, IFRS, and auditing (U.S. GAAS, PCAOB, ISAs). She began her career in PwC’s audit practice in Richmond, Virginia, before realizing her love for the classroom. For the next 13 years at GAAP Dynamics, an accounting and auditing training firm, Vicky designed and facilitated everything from hands-on classroom workshops to interactive webinars and eLearning courses for firms around the world. She strives to make technical topics approachable, practical, and (dare we say) even a little fun. Vicky earned her degree in business administration (accounting concentration) from the University of Richmond, where she also minored in visual arts. A former college cheerleader, she brings energy, positivity, and a touch of creativity into every learning experience. Outside of work, Vicky’s main gig is as chauffeur-in-chief to her four young daughters, shuttling them to school, sports, and more. When she’s not behind the wheel, she’s usually trying to finish a DIY project, art project, or catching a rare but glorious beach nap.

Siamack Gharanfoli

Deputy Director of Enforcement, U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration

Siamack Gharanfoli serves as the Deputy Director of Enforcement at the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). He began his EBSA career at EBSA's Philadelphia Regional Office in 2008. He is a graduate of West Virginia University (BA), University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business (MBA), and the University of Baltimore School of Law (JD).

Matthew Halstead

CISSP, Investigative Analyst, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor

Matthew Halstead serves as a Cybersecurity Specialist (Investigation) within the Division of Criminal Investigations in the Office of Enforcement (OE) at the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). He has been with EBSA since 2018. While with EBSA he has overseen the auditing of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, led Internal Revenue Service Safeguard Audits, worked with the Department of Labor (DOL) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) on various cybersecurity projects/tasks, provided training and guidance, and helped to bring to fruition the OE Cybersecurity Investigation Project. Prior to EBSA he worked a short stint with DOL OCIO in their Cybersecurity Governance Division. Matthew came to DOL after having worked for 15 years in multiple branches of the Department of Defense (Air Force, Coast Guard, and Army) always specializing in cybersecurity. Matt has two degrees from Auburn University (Public Relations and Management Information Systems).