# Bakery Tilly vs BDO
Source: https://planprovider.pro/compare/bakery-tilly-vs-bdo

> Compare Baker Tilly vs BDO for ERISA plan audits—size, 401(k) audit volume, plan types supported, and how to choose the right auditor.

Compare Baker Tilly US LLP and BDO USA P.C. side by side.

| Category|Baker Tilly US LLP|BDO USA P.C.|

| Year Founded|1,931|1,910|

| Employees|10,001|—|

| Headquarters|Madison, WI|Philadelphia, PA|

| Website|bakertilly.com/|bdo.com/locations/bdo-philadelphia-office|

| Latest Audit Statistics|3,801 plans audited · $917.5B AUM|1,274 plans audited · $454.9B AUM|

| Services|—|—|

| Plans Supported|401(k), 403(b), Defined Benefit, ESOP, Health & Welfare|401(k), 403(b), Defined Benefit, ESOP, Health & Welfare|

| Accreditations|AICPA Member, AICPA EBPAQC|AICPA Member, AICPA EBPAQC|

| Locations|Madison, WI|Philadelphia, PA|

## Comparison Details

Baker Tilly vs BDO USA P.C.: Which ERISA Plan Auditor Fits Your Retirement Plan? Choosing an ERISA plan auditor is a high-stakes decision for plan sponsors and committees—your audit impacts Form 5500 filings, participant confidence, and how smoothly your team navigates audit season. Both Baker Tilly US LLP and BDO USA P.C. are large, national assurance firms that audit employee benefit plans (EBPs) across common plan designs, including 401(k) , 403(b) , defined benefit , ESOP , and health & welfare plans. At-a-glance comparison Founded: Baker Tilly (1931) vs BDO (1910) Scale (employees): Baker Tilly reports 10,001 employees; BDO employee count not provided here Plan types supported: Both support 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit, ESOP, and health & welfare 2024 401(k) audits (DB): Baker Tilly 3,801 vs BDO 1,274 2024 401(k) AUM audited (DB): Baker Tilly $917.5B vs BDO $454.9B Audit volume and retirement plan specialization If you’re comparing auditors for a 401(k) plan, one of the most practical differentiators is how many plans the firm audits and how much plan asset complexity it sees in practice. Based on the provided 2024 audit stats for 401(k) plans: Baker Tilly audited 3,801 401(k) plans with approximately $917B in audited 401(k) assets. BDO audited 1,274 401(k) plans with approximately $455B in audited 401(k) assets. Higher audit volume can translate into deeper familiarity with common EBP issues (eligibility, late remittances, payroll mapping, SOC report reliance, participant data controls, and plan document operational compliance). That said, the “best” firm is often the one that matches your plan’s complexity and your internal team’s preferences for communication, timelines, and coordination with your recordkeeper and TPA. Firm footprint and what it can mean for service Baker Tilly US LLP Baker Tilly positions itself as a top-ten advisory, tax, and assurance firm with a coast-to-coast presence and membership in Baker Tilly International (a global network). Headquartered in Madison, WI , Baker Tilly’s size (10,001 employees listed) can be a plus for sponsors who want broader bench strength, specialized technical resources, and continuity across multi-location or growing organizations. BDO USA P.C. BDO is a long-established firm (founded 1910 ) providing assurance, tax, and advisory services across industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, and technology. The provided website reference highlights a Philadelphia office location, which may matter if you prefer a team that can meet locally or coordinate closely with regional stakeholders. BDO’s scale and breadth can be attractive for plans tied to complex corporate structures or sponsors that want an auditor who can align EBP work with broader financial statement and advisory needs. Pricing: what to expect when quotes aren’t published Neither provider lists public audit pricing in the information provided, which is typical for ERISA audits. Audit fees usually depend on participant counts, number of funds, plan features (match, profit sharing, auto-enroll), payroll complexity, number of locations, prior-year findings, and how organized plan data is. When requesting proposals from Baker Tilly and BDO, ask for: A clear list of PBC (provided-by-client) items and timelines Whether the fee is fixed or subject to change Expected fieldwork duration and review cycles Experience with your recordkeeper/TPA and SOC report approach How to choose between Baker Tilly and BDO Choose Baker Tilly if you value higher observed 401(k) audit volume in 2024 and want a large bench for retirement plan audit execution and technical depth. Choose BDO if you want a long-tenured national firm and prefer a team aligned to your regional footprint (e.g., Philadelphia) and broader assurance/advisory needs. Next step: request proposals from both and compare the engagement team’s EBP credentials, proposed timeline, communication cadence, and how they handle common EBP pain points (late deposits, eligibility errors, and data integrity).

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