Gain the knowledge and skills you need to help you excel
Flexible learning for SMSF practitioners, seasoned professionals and aspiring SMSF Specialists
Brush up on your SMSF knowledge or upskill and build on the skills you need to kickstart your SMSF career. The new standalone SMSF modules encompass a broad selection of single modules spanning a range of topics for new and aspiring SMSF practitioners, all the way up to experienced SMSF professionals.
Developed for the SMSF Specialist Advisor and SMSF Specialist Auditor programs, each interactive module has the latest information and resources; and covers technical topics such as SMSF regulatory framework, contribution standards, members interests and preservation standards, investing in SMSFs, audit engagement and independence, audit planning and risk, fraud, auditor reporting, and much more.
Refresh your knowledge on a specific topic by completing a single module, or complete a selection of modules to upskill and build on your SMSF capabilities as you progress in your career.
Use the buttons below to view the different module options:
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SMSF Module: Advice
SMSF Advice – SMSF Regulatory Framework
The key to specialising in self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) is to understand how legislation interacts and how the various regulators of the superannuation industry interpret the law. While there are many pieces of Commonwealth and state legislation that are relevant to superannuation, two Acts and their associated Regulations, are critical
SMSF Advice – Regulating SMSFs
This module looks at the steps to establish a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) as a regulated superannuation fund in order to become a complying superannuation fund entitled to tax concessions. The module identifies the trustee covenants that all trustees must abide by and are deemed to be incorporated into the
SMSF Advice – Contribution Standards
Contributions require a thorough understanding of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 (Cth) (SIS Regulations), and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) (ITAA 97) and Income Tax Assessment Regulations 1997 as they provide the rules on making and accepting contributions, and determine the taxation treatment, designation and deductibility. This
SMSF Advice – Investing in an SMSF
Self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustees have ultimate control over the investments of the fund, so long as all investments are made in conjunction with the fund’s investment strategy, the sole purpose test and within the investment restrictions outlined in the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (SIS Act) and Superannuation
SMSF Advice – Taxing an SMSF
This module explores a complying superannuation fund’s taxation obligations. It considers the taxation of contributions, the applicable capital gains tax (CGT) provisions, how foreign transfers are treated and ordinary income. This module also identifies income from transactions that are not maintained on an arm’s-length basis and imposes a higher rate
SMSF Advice – Members’ interest and preservation standards
All superannuation members have an interest in their superannuation fund. For self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) members, these interests are a single accumulation interest and/or single or multiple pension interests. This module defines an interest is an SMSF and explains the preservation status of a members’ benefit. The module also considers
SMSF Advice – Pension payment standards and paying a benefit
This module considers the features of a member account and how a member can access their money. It also discusses how money can be taken either as a superannuation lump sum or as an income stream and how both lump sum and pension payments are proportioned between taxable and tax-free
SMSF Advice – Taxing superannuation payments
This module provides the final overlay of taxation on benefit payments. Having identified the components of a member’s interest, the proportioning that applies to benefit payments and the types of benefits that can be paid, the final step is to determine how much tax is to be paid on those
SMSF Advice – SMSF Controls – planning for life
This module provides the relevant references to paying benefits from a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) in the event of the death of a member. It revisits the trustee requirements on death, the benefit payment options and references the appropriate taxation. The module also investigates the ways in which a member
SMSF Module: Audit
SMSF Audit – Preliminary engagement activities
OVERVIEW It is easy to focus on the demands of practice in performing an engagement rather than the vehicle used in one’s modus operandi. But safety checks before entering the freeway are a good idea. For the SMSF auditor, they are essential. Prior to the acceptance of any audit engagement,
SMSF Audit – Audit Standards
OVERVIEW The module, Being an Auditor examined the compliance framework for the professional and statutory obligations that apply to auditors. This module examines the framework that applies to the conduct of the audit, comprising of Audit and Assurance Engagement Standards, and how it applies to the audit of an SMSF.
SMSF Audit – Being an SMSF Auditor
OVERVIEW To ensure compliance with the rules, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as the regulator of SMSFs places reliance on the work of SMSF auditors. It is a legislative requirement that the financial statements of all SMSFs are audited each year. In many respects, the integrity of the SMSF industry
SMSF Audit – Conducting the audit – Part B (Investments)
OVERVIEW The SMSF auditor must form an opinion on the SMSF’s compliance with prescribed requirements of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (SIS Act) and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 (Cth) (SIS Regulations). This comprises Part B of the audit report and is generally referred to as ‘the compliance
SMSF Audit – Conducting the Audit – Part A
OVERVIEW Under section 35B(1) of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (SIS Act), self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustees are required to ensure that a statement of financial position and an operating statement is prepared for each financial year. Section 35C of the SIS Act requires that those financial statements
SMSF Audit – Planning and risk – identification, assessment and response
OVERVIEW As part of the audit process, the auditor seeks to reduce the risk of material misstatement to a suitably low level. The identification and assessment of actual or potential risk is therefore a key part of the audit process. A risk assessment will assist the auditor in determining the
SMSF Audit – Audit Reporting
OVERVIEW The final part of the audit process is to form an audit opinion and prepare the audit report. The results of the audit are then communicated. Reporting in connection with the SMSF audit involves several dimensions and various parties. These reporting obligations must be understood to ensure that auditors
SMSF Audit – Conducting the Audit – Part B (Administration)
OVERVIEW The SMSF auditor must form an opinion on an SMSFs compliance with prescribed requirements of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (SIS Act) and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 (Cth) (SIS Regulations). This comprises Part B of the audit report. This part of the engagement is generally referred