Signature on the IQPA

[12AX7]

The DOL has a "wet ink" signature requirement for the report. Is the signature required in an invidual's name or can the name of the firm just be signed? This is from the DOL's website:

Attachments

Q24: How do I attach the report of the independent qualified public accountant (IQPA report)?

The IQPA report needs to be documented on letterhead, signed, and then saved as a single Portable Document Format (PDF) file. That PDF file then needs to be attached to the Form 5500 annual return/report. When you submit the Form 5500 annual return/report, the attachments will be transmitted to EFAST2 along with the rest of the information in the annual return/report.

It doesn't seem clear how that signature should be done, so it seems that the name of the firm, would be sufficient?

Thanks.

[Bill Presson]

The DOL has a "wet ink" signature requirement for the report. Is the signature required in an invidual's name or can the name of the firm just be signed? This is from the DOL's website:

Attachments

Q24: How do I attach the report of the independent qualified public accountant (IQPA report)?

The IQPA report needs to be documented on letterhead, signed, and then saved as a single Portable Document Format (PDF) file. That PDF file then needs to be attached to the Form 5500 annual return/report. When you submit the Form 5500 annual return/report, the attachments will be transmitted to EFAST2 along with the rest of the information in the annual return/report.

It doesn't seem clear how that signature should be done, so it seems that the name of the firm, would be sufficient?

Thanks.

I have never seen an audit report signed by any individual. They always sign the name of the firm.

[12AX7]

I've seen it both ways, with most signed as an individual. I had to convince one audtor that using a fancy font was not acceptable. I'll leave it be with the signed name of the accounting firm.