* Limited scope audits, in which the auditor is not required conduct auditing procedures on investment information that's been prepared and certified by a bank or similar institution, are not well understood. As a result, they may be used inappropriately.

As a result of these and other findings, the Report identified 10 recommendations. Among them:

* Require plan administrators to identify on Form 5500 or another annual report whether the auditor is a member of the AICPA's EBPAQC.

* The DOL should require plan administrators to include any certification issued in connection with a limited scope audit within the plan's Form 5500 or other report.

* The Labor Department also should provide education and promote quality in employee plan audits and auditors. This seems key, given that the DOL and Employee Benefits Security Administration found in 2004 that 30% of plan audits didn't comply with professional auditing standards.