Weaver and Tidwell vs LBMC

Comparison Details

Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P. vs LBMC, PC: Which retirement plan auditor fits your organization? Choosing a qualified employee benefit plan auditor can impact your timeline, fiduciary confidence, and overall audit experience. Both Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P. (HQ: Houston, TX) and LBMC, PC (HQ: Brentwood, TN) are established CPA firms that support a broad mix of retirement and benefit plan audits, including 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit, ESOP, and health & welfare plans. Below is a side-by-side comparison focused on scale, experience, and plan-audit activity. Firm profile and scale Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P. : Founded in 1950 with approximately 1,500 employees . Weaver is a long-tenured firm with deep roots in Texas and a significant presence in Houston. LBMC, PC : Founded in 1984 with approximately 900 employees . LBMC is a major regional CPA firm headquartered in the Nashville/Brentwood market with a strong consulting and advisory orientation. If you prefer a larger team and longer operating history, Weaver’s scale and longevity may be appealing. If you want a large regional firm that emphasizes specialized business solutions and consulting, LBMC may be a strong match. Retirement plan audit experience (2024 401(k) activity) Audit volume can be a useful proxy for how frequently a firm navigates common 401(k) audit issues such as eligibility, contributions, forfeitures, participant loans, SOC reports, and investment disclosures. Weaver (2024 401(k)) : 476 plans audited; reported 401(k) plan AUM audited of approximately $138.45B . LBMC (2024 401(k)) : 399 plans audited; reported 401(k) plan AUM audited of approximately $41.94B . Based on the available 2024 data, Weaver shows higher 401(k) audit volume and substantially higher audited AUM, which may indicate more exposure to larger or more complex plans. LBMC also demonstrates significant 401(k) audit activity, which can be a good fit for sponsors seeking a high-capacity firm with broad plan-audit repetition. Plan types supported and potential complexity Both firms support the same major plan categories: Defined contribution : 401(k), 403(b) Defined benefit : pension plans with actuarial reporting and funding considerations ESOP : valuation and participant allocation complexity Health & welfare : eligibility, claims, and premium/benefit accounting considerations If your organization has multiple plan types (for example, a 401(k) plus a health & welfare plan), either provider can cover the scope, so the decision often comes down to team fit, responsiveness, and experience with your specific plan features. Geography and working style Weaver : Strong Texas footprint with a notable Houston presence, which may be beneficial for Texas-based sponsors or organizations wanting local access to engagement teams. LBMC : Based in Brentwood, TN, often a natural fit for sponsors in Tennessee and the broader Southeast looking for a regional partner. Pricing and selection considerations Neither provider has public pricing listed here, so a competitive RFP is typically the best way to compare fees. When evaluating proposals, consider: Who will staff the engagement (partner/manager continuity and benefit-plan specialization) Expected timeline and PBC (prepared-by-client) process Experience with your recordkeeper/TPA and SOC report approach Support for complex features (safe harbor, auto-enroll, multiple payrolls, acquisitions, ESOP valuation) Bottom line: Choose Weaver and Tidwell if you value a larger headcount, long-established history, and higher reported 2024 401(k) audit volume/AUM. Choose LBMC if you want a large regional CPA firm with substantial plan-audit activity and a consultative approach rooted in the Brentwood/Nashville market.