Self-managed Superannuation Fund Australia: Should Your Client DIY It?

More individuals want to take charge of their superannuation fund. According to the ATO, there is an increase of 15% in the Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSF) in Australia over the last five years, which makes it enticing for those who choose to be more involved in the management of their super funds.

Many commenters call SMSF a do-it-yourself super fund, but that doesn’t mean that anyone can have a go at it. So how would your accounting firm offer assistance should your client decide to start their own SMSF? First of all, it’s important that they understand what’s involved in the process.

What Your Client Needs to Know about SMSF 

In Australia, learning how to manage your SMSF sounds appealing since you’ll handle your own retirement investment plan, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. Here are some of the things that your client needs to know before they make a decision.

What an SMSF is for 

One of the reasons why having one’s own SMSF investment strategy is popular is its flexibility. Unlike with industry and retail super funds, an SMSF can be used to invest in collectibles, term deposits, residential and commercial property, and direct shares, among others.

An SMSF should be run solely for providing for your client’s retirement. It’s illegal for someone to set up an SMSF to try to get early access to their super or get loans to purchase a personal property. Using the fund to provide financial assistance to a fund member or to a relative of a fund member is also not allowed.

In addition, SMSF assets should be kept separate from a trustee’s personal assets. This will help the trustee’s auditor identify who the owner of a particular asset is. 

Read Next: How to Choose the Best SMSF Service Provider

How to set up self-managed super 

When your client first sets up an SMSF, they would have to:

1. Identify who the fund members and trustees would be;
2. Establish the trust and trust deed;
3. Open a bank account;
4. Register with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO),
5. Create an investment strategy, and
6. Include a plan for when your SMSF ends

Once it’s set up, there are other things to consider, such as:

• Rolling over of existing super;
• Organising employer contributions;
• Making investments that are compliant to the regulations; and
• Documenting all transactions for up to 10 years.

The trustee will also have to take care of the following each year:

• Accounts and financial statements;
• Annual return lodgements; and
• SMSF levy and other taxes that are due

Whether your client decides to set up an SMSF or opts for other super funds, it’s important for you to provide useful financial information that will help them meet their short- and long-term investment goals.

Considering SMSF outsourcing 

As a finance and accounting expert, your job does not end with planning and reporting. You have to focus on adding value and providing sound advice to your clients that will help them make better financial decisions. As always, what your clients need is the peace of mind that an expert is guiding them throughout the process.

Outsourcing SMSF tasks to a reliable partner would work to your best advantage. And this is where D&V Philippines can help. In Australia, we help our clients manage their self-managed superannuation fund and ensure compliance. With us, you can turn over your bookkeeping, financial analysis, and other financial and accounting services so you can devote more hours to client services. 

Learn more about what sets us apart from other outsourcing firms and find out how we can help you by downloading our latest whitepaper, Finding the Right Talents: D&V Philippines’ Solutions to Modern Accounting Firms, today!

This post was first published 6 February 2018  and edited 20 July 2021.
Edited by: Maria Katrina dela Cruz