Experience

Elaine Papadopoulos, a partner in Citrin Cooperman’s Employee Benefit Plans and Franchise Practices, has more than 15 years of experience performing and managing audits, reviews, and compilations. She also serves businesses in the construction, staffing, manufacturing, distribution, and restaurant industries.

Elaine has extensive experience auditing single-employer and multiple-employer defined contribution 401(k) plans, and their unique regulatory and reporting requirements. She guides employee benefit plans to help ensure they are operating in accordance with their plan documents. She has also assisted employee benefit plans with their Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL) audits.

In addition, Elaine has a specialized focus in the franchising industry. She provides counsel in areas such as assessing the risks and benefits of becoming a franchisor, evaluating the franchise and royalty structure, analyzing tax structures, and establishing advertising funds.

Elaine has deep expertise in examining the various operations of the franchise system, including accounting, franchisee reporting, internal accountability, and compliance, to help her clients improve efficiency and profitability. She also develops and implements systems to monitor franchisee compliance and track leads.