Vincent D. Castrigano

Internal Revenue Agent /Senior Benefits Specialist

Internal Revenue Service, IRS

Cincinnati, Ohio

06.2009 - Current

Audits and interprets benefit plans
Examines returns filed in connection with the plans
Reviews operating mechanics, considers probable effects of contributions and benefits and ensures that plans are benefiting employees in general and do not discriminate in favor of the highly compensated employees
Plans reviewed are complicated in nature, involve a large amounts of money, numerous participants and/or involve unusual features and novel problems
Evaluates complex voluntary compliance benefits plan failures submitted to the IRS for corrective actions and completeness
Further, assist taxpayers with correcting the benefit plan failures
Resulting with successful benefit plan compliance to the taxpayer and providing benefits to American workers
Analyzes applications and issues determination letters on are most complex pension, multi-employer, profit-sharing and stock-bonus plans under applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions
Analyzes information in exhibits and applies technical tests to determine if applicable statutory and other requirements are met
Analyzes amendments to existing plans to determine if their qualification or exempt status is adversely affected
Examines curtailments and terminations of a plan and determines if discrimination will result and if a valid business reason existed for such action
Examines accounting practices and bookkeeping systems of pension, multi-employer, profit sharing 403(b)/457 plans, and related operations of the trust if applicable
Provides accurate technical expertise to serve internal and external customers with professional and helpful service
Examines employer's return for employee's pension or profit-sharing plans to substantiate deductions for contributions made under the most complex deferred compensation plans
Participates as a team coordinator and team member in coordinated examination audits including pre-audit planning
Designs and drafts audit plans for managerial approval
Ensures that plans are qualified in operation and that deductions are within the limits of the Code
Prepares all necessary reports such as IDRS and 5701s as they pertain to Employee Plans
Explains adjustments to customers and/or their representatives and attempts to secure concurrence of the recommended changes
Furnishes technical guidance to less senior or non-specialized revenue agents and others on the interpretation of Employee Plans provisions of the Code and Regulations
Advises as to the qualified status of plans and interpretation of plan provisions
Confers with customers to determine whether the plan satisfies all the requirements for qualification and contacts third parties to obtain or verify information
Proposes revocation of trust’s exempt status when the related plans have ceased to qualify
Recommends the re-establishment of exempt status when plans have fulfilled the appropriate compliance requirements
Participates in solving or improving overall office working conditions
Serve as acting group manager and senior group advisor for technical assistance
Professional knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices as evidenced by an accounting degree, equivalent class work, applicable certificate, and requisite experience and the ability to apply these techniques to analyze the most complex pension, stock bonus and profit sharing plans, examine and interpret provisions of the plans and perform audits on related tax returns
Specialized knowledge of the pension and profit-sharing area of tax law, precedents, rulings and court decisions, and skill in applying the tax laws in cases of great significance, or issues of considerable complexity, controversy and impact
Working knowledge of actuarial science sufficient to recognize problem areas and to recommend courses of action
Knowledge of computers including word processing, spreadsheet and databases
Ability to work with electronic tax records
Aptitude to successfully examine or review a wide variety of very complex deferred compensation plans and related proposals
Negotiates with professional clientele when proposing adjustments or providing assistance
Expertly communicates, both internally and externally, in a firm, businesslike and professional manner
Writes clear, concise, and comprehensive reports of examination
Plans and related proposals reviewed or audited are of a wide variety and difficult
Such plans involve a very large number of participants (e.g., over 1000) and they include multiple plans for related companies; industry, area-wide or union negotiated plans; pooled fund arrangements; problems of customized features benefiting highly compensated employees; Cash Balance Plans and leveraged ESOPS
Also, amendments affecting plan structure such as complex mergers, acquisitions, consolidations and conglomerates
Plans typically affect thousands of participants and involve investment proposals or assets in excess of $25,000,000
Issues are often precedent-setting and have a significant impact on industries or large labor unions
Contacts include persons with national reputations in business, legal and accounting circles
These are usually high ranking officials of very large prominent corporations and others of outstanding political, social, or economic importance and influence
Contacts are made with customers and/or their representatives to obtain information, discuss proposed plan changes, explain adjustments to deductions and contributions and secure concurrence
Conferences and advisory contacts are continuous and of considerable importance
They involve negotiation of controversial, intricate and complex issues
Professionalism, tact, technical expertise and skillful negotiations are necessary to secure agreement and encourage voluntary compliance

Employee Benefits Investigator, Employee Benefits Security Administration

Department of Labor

Cincinnati, Ohio

11.2019 - 04.2022

Plans, conducts, and coordinates investigations of complex benefit plans, service providers, trust departments, and other financial entities having relationships and conducting transactions with the plans
Initiate and arrange for meetings, conferences, and discussions with plan officials, service providers, and their legal and financial representatives to explain the purpose and scope of investigation, ERISA requirements and EBSA policy and procedures, and conduct formal interviews
Examine and analyze employee benefit plan financial records, trustee meeting minutes, and other plan records and applies employee benefit plan operating procedures to determine compliance with plan documents and ERISA
Further, examines Form 5500 annual reports with financial statements and audit reports to determine ERISA compliance
Prepare comprehensive and well-documented investigative reports
Successfully negotiates corrective actions with plan officials, fiduciaries and their representative to secure monetary restitution and other remedial actions
Effectually provides employers with corrective remedies to benefit plan issues and provide American workers with their benefits

Regional Manager

SwimSafe Pool Management, Inc.

Cincinnati, Ohio

05.2015 - 07.2019

Managed day to day operational responsibilities of facilities and supervised teams of managers
Managed contracts to operate, maintain, and manage facilities
Hired, trained and managed staff at facilities
Responsible for over 400 employees
Retained 100% contract renewals with existing customers
Increased revenue streams by contracting repair services and attaining new customers

Financial Accounting Intern

SS&G Financial Services

Akron, Ohio

06.2008 - 08.2008

Employee Benefit Audits performed
Reviewed and completed audit work-papers on operation of qualified retirement plans and non-qualified retirement plans
Completed form 5500 for clients
Tax Returns completed for individual clients

Summary

Overview

Work History

Internal Revenue Agent /Senior Benefits Specialist

Employee Benefits Investigator, Employee Benefits Security Administration

Regional Manager

Financial Accounting Intern

Education

B.S.B.A. - Accounting

B.S.B.A. - Accounting

High School Diploma -

Skills

Timeline

Employee Benefits Investigator, Employee Benefits Security Administration

Regional Manager

Internal Revenue Agent /Senior Benefits Specialist

Financial Accounting Intern

B.S.B.A. - Accounting

B.S.B.A. - Accounting

High School Diploma -

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