After speculation of changes to superannuation reached fever-pitch, we saw today the Treasurer, Wayne Swan and Minister Bill Shorten announce reforms to address issues of adequacy and sustainability for the long-term future of superannuation. It’s pitch was clear, fairer super for all Australians. It is important to remember, these are simply announcements to be delivered … Continue reading »
It seems not a day goes past in the news at the moment where the Labor Government’s ‘robin hood’ approach to superannuation tax reforms are discussed. Depends on which side of the fence that you sit, it is either a tax-grab from a bulging retirement bucket, or it’s providing reform to address longer-term adequacy and … Continue reading »
Aaron talks to Andrew Daddo about his presentation, “The role of social media with SMSFs” at the 2013 SPAA National Conference in Melbourne (recorded 14 February 2013). In this discussion, Aaron talks about the growing impact social media is having on the SMSF profession and how it can be used to build stronger client relationships … Continue reading »
With a growing number of self managed super funds, it is without question that adequate resources are required to ensure that SMSFs remain as a well-functioning sector. It is with some concern however, that the cost of regulation may soon become a barrier to entry, in particular where these costs are increasing against administration and … Continue reading »
The use of social media continues to grow significantly – it has truly become part of everyday lives. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and the like are all tools to not only engage with friends but they have also been used to form communities to build knowledge, trust and understanding of common interests. Let’s face it; … Continue reading »
Watch this video blog post where Aaron discusses his views on the recent talk around changes to superannuation policy, in particular his thoughts about where the Government would be better served to address the issue of equality in tax concessions. Obviously some of these issues aren’t going to be popular with self-funded retirees, but what … Continue reading »
I read with great interest recently in the Australian newspaper, an article titled “Setting up an SMSF to buy property a risky strategy” (13 November 2012) regarding ASIC commissioners Peter Kell and Greg Tanzer focusing a taskforce on aggressive marketing of speculative property developments with SMSF limited recourse borrowing arrangements. Whilst there appears to be a lot … Continue reading »
The growth of the self managed super industry has spawn specialist SMSF administrators, both domestically and abroad. This specialisation has also extended to many accounting firms who are now also developing in-house solutions, with specialist services in SMSF administration to complement their financial services offering. There has been some debate over the past week within the … Continue reading »
I’m pretty passionate about defending the SMSF industry (maybe I’m biased), but it makes my blood boil when representatives from the ‘other side of the fence’ take a few cheap shots at self managed super funds with very little supported data (or none at all). I’m referring to an article I read in Money Management yesterday prepared … Continue reading »
The announcement by Government on the weekend of the proposed replacement of the accountant’s exemption with a conditional licensing framework has been claimed as an overwhelming victory for the accounting profession who argue their member’s stronger professional standing with providing strategic advice to SMSFs. It may not necessarily be a viewed shared by many within … Continue reading »