Defined Contribution Plan - Employer 401(k) Match Accrual
Accruing the employer's matching contribution to employee 401(k) accounts at period-end, based on employee deferrals during the period per the plan's matching formula.
| Account Name | Type | Debit ($) | Credit ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401(k) Match Expense - Employer Contribution | Expense (+) | 3,850,000.00 | - |
| Accrued 401(k) Employer Match Payable | Liability (+) | - | 3,850,000.00 |
💡 Accountant's Note
Defined contribution plan accounting is dramatically simpler than DB plans — the employer's entire obligation is the current period contribution. There is no PBO, no plan assets on the employer's books, and no actuarial measurement. The employer match = employee deferrals × match percentage, subject to plan limits. Common formula: 100% match on first 3% of pay + 50% match on next 2% of pay = effective 4% match on 5% employee deferrals. Accrued monthly, paid to the plan trustee (typically quarterly for small plans, more frequently for large plans). The 401(k) is governed by IRC Section 401(k) and ERISA Title I — nondiscrimination tests (ADP/ACP) must be passed annually.
Practitioner & Systems Framework
💻 ERP Architecture
The matching calculation requires payroll integration: employee deferral amounts per pay period × match formula × vesting percentage (for plans with matching vesting schedules). IRS contribution limits (2024: $23,000 employee deferral limit; $69,000 total annual additions limit) must be enforced in the payroll system. Safe Harbor 401(k) plans (either 3% non-elective or 4% match formula) automatically satisfy ADP/ACP nondiscrimination testing — widely adopted to avoid testing.
⚠️ Audit Flags
Auditors test the match calculation against the plan document formula and employee deferrals per payroll records. Plan assets (held in trust) are tested separately from the employer's financial statements — if the plan exceeds $250,000 in assets, an annual independent audit of plan financial statements is required (Form 5500 large plan filer). Nondiscrimination testing results (ADP/ACP tests) must be reviewed — failures require corrective distributions to highly compensated employees.
📄 Required Documentation
Plan document specifying match formula and vesting schedule, payroll records of employee deferrals, match calculation workpaper, contribution remittance records (Form 5500 Schedule H), nondiscrimination testing results (ADP/ACP), top-heavy determination, IRS annual 401(k) limit compliance documentation.
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