Professional Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation Funds
- Who should enrol
- About this program
- What topics are covered
- Where and when can I study
- Who accredits this program
- How much does it cost
- FAQ's
- How do I enrol
Who should enrol
This SMSF program is suited for those wanting to give comprehensive advice of the highest quality to investors in self managed superannuation funds, including Financial Planners, Fund Administrators, Auditors and Accountants.
About this program
This program is made up of 2 courses:
- SMSF 1 - Establishment and Accumulation
- SMSF 2 - Distribution and Estate Planning
Each course consists of two 2 days sessions that are held on Fridays and Saturdays and a 3 hour open book exam. You are also required to complete assignments during the courses.
Courses are delivered by industry experts Peter Hogan and Peter Burgess.
Benefits
- University qualification
- Delivery is via face to face workshops that allow participants to interact not only with the presenter but also other participants who are generally working in the SMSF industry
- Lectures delivered by Industry experts and Academics
- First University course to receive SPAA accreditation
- SPAA CPD points
- FPA CPD points
- RG146 compliant in Self Managed Superannuation*
* In order to provide advice on Superannuation (including Self Managed Superannuation ) individuals must also complete an approved Tier 1 course in Superannuation.
What topics are covered?
SMSF 1 - Establishment and Accumulation
- General introduction to SMSF's
- What is a SMSF?
- Benefits of SMSF's
- Establishing a SMSF
- Who can be a member of a SMSF?
- Who can give advice in relation to SMSF's?
- Ongoing administration requirements of trustees
- Trustee responsibilities
- Drafting Investment objectives and strategy for a SMSF
- Applicable legislation
- Principles of the sole purpose test and investment standards
- Basic restrictions that apply to investments
- Who and what entities are associates
- Interaction of the various investment restrictions in specific circumstances
- Transitional provisions to prescribed arrangements
- Role and responsibilities of auditors
- The distinction between financial and compliance reports
- Circumstances when an auditor must report breaches to trustees and regulators
- Assessable income of SMSF's in the accumulation phase
- Non arm's length income
- Deductions - insurance premiums, self insurance and Anti detriment payments
- Opportunities in the small business CGT concessions
SMSF 2 - Distribution and Estate Planning
- Sole purpose test - determination of benefit entitlements
- Commencing a pension - steps to be taken
- Personal taxation issues
- New pension definitions
- Review of taxation of SMSF's
- Specific tax issues relating to pensions
- Segregated vs un-segregated
- Use of reserves in pension environment
- Continuing pension liability problems
- Investment strategy concerns
- Rules around use of derivatives
- Dealing with Superannuation assets in the context of the Family Court Decision
- Binding Financial Agreements
- NSW Succession Act
- Superannuation as a notional estate asset
- Estate Planning - dealing with the new environment
- Estate Planning - detailed analysis of who is a dependant and what are their entitlements
- Winding up a SMSF - what you need to do
Where and when can I study
SMSF 1 - Establishment and Accumulation
Friday 26th and Saturday 27th July then
Friday 30th and Saturday 31st August
Exam - Thursday 17th October
SMSF 2 - Distribution and Estate Planning will be scheduled for early 2014. Dates will be available from this site in November 2013.
Friday and Saturday sessions run from approximately 9.00am - 5.00pm. The exam commences at 9.00am and concludes at 12.15pm.
There is a 100% attendance policy for this course.
This course will be held at Cliftons Conference facilities, Level 1, 80 King William Street Adelaide.
If you have any questions please contact Tania Turner via email.
SMSF 1 - Establishment and Accumulation
Friday 9th and Saturday 10th August then
Friday 13th and Saturday 14th September
exam - Thursday 31st October
SMSF 2 - Distribution and Estate Planning will be scheduled for early 2014. Dates will be available from this site in November 2013.
Friday and Saturday sessions run from approximately 9.00am - 5.00pm. The exam commences at 9.00am and concludes at 12.15pm.
There is a 100% attendance policy for this course.
This course will be held at Cliftons Conference facilities, 288 Edward Street Brisbane
If you have any questions please contact Tania Turner via email.
SMSF 1 - Establishment and Accumulation
Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August then
Friday 6th and Saturday 7th September
Exam - Thursday 24th October
SMSF 2 - Distribution and Estate Planning will be scheduled for early 2014. Dates will be available from this site in November 2013.
Friday and Saturday sessions run from approximately 9.00am - 5.00pm. The exam commences at 9.00am and concludes at 12.15pm.
There is a 100% attendance policy for this course.
This course will be held at Cliftons Conference facilities, Level 1, 440 Collins Street Melbourne.
If you have any questions please contact Tania Turner via email.
SMSF 1 - Establishment and Accumulation
Friday 16th and Saturday 17th August then
Friday 20th and Saturday 21st September
exam - Thursday 7th November
SMSF 2 - Distribution and Estate Planning will be scheduled for early 2014. Dates will be available from this site in November 2013.
Friday and Saturday sessions run from approximately 9.00am - 5.00pm. The exam commences at 9.00am and concludes at 12.15pm.
There is a 100% attendance policy for this course.
This course will be held at Cliftons Conference facilities, 191 St Georges Tce Perth.
If you have any questions please contact Tania Turner via email.
SMSF 1 - Establishment and Accumulation
Friday 19th and Saturday 20th July then
Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th August
Exam - Thursday 10th October
SMSF 2 - Distribution and Estate Planning will be scheduled for early 2014. Dates will be available from this site in November 2013.
Friday and Saturday sessions run from approximately 9.00am - 5.00pm. The exam commences at 9.00am and concludes at 12.15pm.
There is a 100% attendance policy for this course.
This course will be held at Cliftons Conference facilities, 60 Margaret Street Sydney.
If you have any questions please contact Tania Turner via email.
All courses are run subject to minimum enrolment numbers being met. The International Centre for Financial Services reserves the right to cancel any course where the minimum numbers are not met.
Who Accredits this program?
- Self Managed Super Fund Professional's Association of Australia (SPAA)
- Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA)
- ASIC compliance
This course is of extremely high standard and has been designed to the required standards of the Self Managed Super Fund Professional's Association of Australia (SPAA) National Education Register, and also independently certified. It is one of the original accredited courses on the SPAA National Training Register.
The course presents and ideal opportunity for SPAA Specialist Advisors to complete studies at a Postgraduate level as well as contributing to their professional development and satisfying a significant proportion of SPAA's CPD requirements.
Download a copy of SPAA Education and Training Register Assessment
This program provides 214 SPAA CPD points.
Financial Planning Association of Australia
The Professional Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation Funds has been accredited by the Financial Planning Association of Australia.
Accreditation number 005515 for 35 points credit of continuing professional development.
| Professional Dimensions | ASIC Competencies |
|---|---|
Capability Critical Thinking |
21 CPD Points Superannuation (SMSF) 7 CPD Points Financial Planning 3.5 CPD Points Skills 3.5 CPD Points Generic Knowledge |
The Professional Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation Funds has been included on the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) Compliant Training Register. Details of compliance can be viewed here
How much does it cost
The 2013 price for the full program is AU$5,250 (2 courses) or AU$2,625 per course.
You do not have to pay the full amount up front as the University will invoice per course enrolment.
As this is a University award program you may seek financial assistance via the Australian Government's FEE-HELP scheme.
More information about FEE-HELP can be found at: www.goingtouni.gov.au/Home.htm
FAQs
Are there any entry requirements for the program?
Yes, as this is a University postgraduate program the entry requirements are an existing degree or relevant work experience.
This degree must be from a recognised University but can be from any discipline, i.e. commerce, economics, finance, accounting etc.
To be accepted into the program on work experience you would need to have been working in the Superannuation or SMSF field for at least 2 years or have been working in the taxation or accounting fields for this period of time and have had exposure to superannuation or SMSF's.
Not sure if you qualify, please contact Tania Turner via email or on (08) 8313 8398.
Is there assessment pieces to complete during the courses?
Yes, after the first intensive weekend for each course you will be given an assignment to complete. You will have approximately 2 - 3 weeks to complete the assignment and it is worth 50% of your overall grade.
The 3 hour open book exam makes up the other 50% of the final grade. This is a written exam made up of short answer and essay type questions.
You must pass the exam as well as achieve 50% overall to pass the course.
Does it matter which order I study the courses in?
No, provided you have existing SMSF knowledge. The courses are independent of each other so you can study them in any order. If you have not had any exposure to SMSF we would recommend commencing with the SMSF 1 - Establishment and Accumulation course.
What is the difference between the Professional Certificate and the Specialist SMSF course program?
The Professional Certificate is:
- A University award program so upon successful completion of the program you will receive a University parchment and make use of the associated post-nominal's.
- You will be eligible to take part in the graduation ceremonies held at the University of Adelaide
- Requires participants to complete an exam as part of the assessment for each course as well as assignments
- Is RG146 compliant in Self Managed Superannuation
- As this is a 6 unit University award program you may be eligible to count these courses towards a Masters program as electives. This is at the discretion of the admitting University.
- You will be eligible for The SMSF Professional's Association of Australia Prize for the Professional Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation
The Specialist SMSF course is:
- A non award course so there are no post-nominal's associated with completion of the course. Upon successful completion of the program participants receive a University branded certificate.
- A concise course designed to provide participants with the knowledge to undertake the SPAA SMSF Specialist Adviser Program
- Is assessed via an optional on-line exam. The exam is required to be completed for those participants wanting to receive RG146 compliance in Self Managed Superannuation by completing this course.
Is the course offered via distance learning?
No, we only teach via face to face workshops and believe this is a benefit of the program. You will have the opportunity to interact with the lecturer and also other participants who are generally working in the SMSF industry.
How up to date is the information covered in the course?
The lecturers are constantly updating the materials and if any rulings come through during the course of your studies they will be updated and included.
How does this program compare to others being offered?
We believe this is the most comprehensive course being offered in SMSF's. As well as meeting industry requirements it has the academic rigour required of a University postgraduate program.
Topics are discussed in detail with reference to primary documents such as legislation and rulings, and real life scenarios.
What post-nominal's can I use after completing the program?
PC.SMSF
How do I enrol
Please download the application form here, complete and send back to the address provided.
You will need to provide certified copies of academic transcripts with the application form.
The official program rules can be viewed here.
