The primary objective of The BPA Financial Group of
Companies' consulting
services is to ensure that clients receive the best
professional advice possible for decision making so that
their duties and fiduciary responsibilities can be
properly discharged. All of BPA's consulting services
are supervised by its fully qualified in-house staff.
The Account Executives will provide the direct personal
consulting services.
The following is an outline of the various consulting
functions available from BPA:
At the Inception of the Pension Plans
Develop a projected budget to determine
availability of funds for plan benefit;
Design plan benefits to suit the budget as well as
the specific needs of plan Members;
Draft announcement material outlining eligibility
and benefits for distribution to plan Members;
Assist accountants and attorneys in preparation of
tax and legal documents, if required;
Design and implement use of customized
administration forms and procedures;
Preparation of Plan Text to ensure compliance with
Federal or Provincial Legislation;
Preparation of Statement of Investment;
Preparation of Plan Governance Policies and
Procedures documents; and
Preparation of Trust Fund Privacy Policy.
On a Day-to-Day Basis
Act as the intermediary between the trustees,
auditors, investment counsellor, legal advisor and fund
custodian;
Determine death, retirement and termination
entitlements and process same in a timely and
cost-effective manner;
Respond to inquiries from Members, and
beneficiaries or their financial advisors regarding
entitlements from the plan;
Prepare periodic reports to the trustees on
special situations and other matters; and
Initiate and review cost containment procedures.
On an Annual Basis
Prepare pension statements for distribution to the
Members;
Conduct a reconciliation of the pension fund
detailing receipts and disbursements;
Conduct an audit of payments made to pensioners;
Prepare and submit federal and provincial Annual
Information Returns as required;
Assist auditors in preparation of financial
statements;
Prepare an Administrator's Report for the
trustees;
Report to the trustees on benefits' adequacy and
upcoming trends in pension legislation and plan
design; and
Conduct Actuarial Valuation to determine adequacy
of funding and benefit levels.
Special Reports
Report new cost containment procedures which may
reduce plan costs;
Report benefit costs to assist the trustees in
collective bargaining or during arbitration
proceedings and carry out litigation procedures in
matters involving the trustees on their behalf; and
Prepare Triennial Actuarial Valuation Reports for
submission to Federal and Provincial Regulatory
Authorities.
