International Centre for Financial Services The University of Adelaide Australia
You are here: 
text zoom : S | M | L
Printer Friendly Version

International Centre for Financial Services
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
SA 5005
AUSTRALIA
Email

Telephone:
+61 8 8303 8398
Facsimile:
+61 8 8303 4843

Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation

Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation


Overview

Investment in superannuation in Australia is accumulating at an astonishing rate and now totals over $1.08 trillion. In particular the Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) industry is rapidly increasing with over 2500 new accounts opening each month taking the total to over 410,000 SMSF's. This makes it the fastest growing sector in financial planning and wealth management.*

The SMSF industry is subject to legislative changes, compliance issues and vigorous scrutiny. Advisors in SMSF's need to increase their knowledge and skills as well as increasing the financial literacy skills of consumers.

This SMSF course 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.

*Current as at 29th September 2009. Statistics from APRA Quarterly Superannuation Performance Statistics report June 2009 (issued 24 September 2009)

Download the program brochure and application for the Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation.


Enquiries

Enquiries, including details on course time and fees should be directed to:

icfs@adelaide.edu.au 

or contact:

Tania Turner, Assistant Director - Programs
International Centre for Financial Services
Phone: (+61 8) 8303 8398
Room 12 09, Level 12/10 Pulteney Street Adelaide


top

Study Plan

There are two compulsory courses which comprise the Professional Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation:
SMSF 1 - Establishment & Accumulation
SMSF 2 - Distribution & Estate Planning

Self Managed Super I – Establishment & Accumulation

Participants will analyse the benefits of SMSF’s and the factors that have resulted in them being adopted by a wide range of self-employed people, employees on higher salaries with flexible remuneration arrangements and those close to retirement.  The topics covered will include the formation of SMSF’s, issues around trust deeds and the regulations governing them and the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act  (SIS Act).  In addition, there will be a detailed review of compliance, investment strategies, taxation at the fund level, special CGT rules, residency issues, CGT small business exemptions and instalment warrants including the new borrowing rules.  The rules concerning related party asset acquisitions, sole purpose, in-house assets, non-geared trusts, loans to members and accepting contributions will also be examined.  Additionally, the participants will learn the rights and obligations of the trustees, members, auditors and other parties that are connected with the operation of the fund.

 
Topics Covered
General introduction to SMSF's Identify who or what entities are associates
What is a SMSF? Explain the interaction of the various investment restrictions in specific circumstances
Benefits of SMSF's Apply the transitional provisions to prescribed arrangements
Establishing a SMSF Understand the role and responsibilities of auditors
Who can give advice in relation to SMSF Explain the distinction between financial & compliance reports
Ongoing administration requirements of trustees Describe circumstances when an auditor must report breaches to trustees and Regulator
Understand general trustee responsibilities Assessable income of SMSF's
Draft investment objectives and strategy for a SMSF Non arm's length income
Be familiar with applicable legislation Deductions - insurance premiums, self insurance and Anti detriment payments
Understand and apply the principles of the sole purpose test and investment standards Identify the opportunities in the small business CGT concessions
Explain the basic restrictions that apply to investments  

Self Managed Super II - Distribution & Estate Planning

This course consists of two sections. Three days will focus on SMSF’s and examine the latest issues in estate planning, investment strategies, alternative investments, strategic opportunities and taxation.  This section will also cover the pension establishment process and will examine issues such as the use of reserves in the pension environment, the segregation of pension assets for both tax and investment purposes, preservation rules, the payment of benefits to members and their dependents on death and the process to follow and specific issues to be dealt with when winding up a SMSF.

One day of the course is devoted to giving participants a general overview of the techniques used for portfolio construction and how to critically assess performance measurements.

 
Topics Covered
Sole Purpose Test - determination of benefit entitlements Continuing pension liability problems
Commencing a pension - steps to be taken Investment strategy concerns
Personal taxation issues and new pension definitions Rules around use of derivatives
Review taxation of SMSF's Modern Portfolio Theory and the Evaluation of Portfolio Performance
Specific tax issues relating to pensions Estate Planning - dealing with the new environment
Segregated vs un-segregated Winding up a SMSF - what you need to do
Use of reserves in pension environment  

Locations and Dates for 2010

Please note you are required to attend all four dates listed per course .

Adelaide
Self Managed Super 2 Friday 26th March and Saturday 27th March
  Friday 7th May and Saturday 8th May
   
Self Managed Super 1 Friday 23rd July and Saturday 24th July
  Friday 27th August and Saturday 28th August

Brisbane
Self Managed Super 2 Friday 26th February and Saturday 27th February
  Friday 9th April and Saturday 10th April
   
Self Managed Super 1 Friday 6th August and Saturday 7th August
  Friday 10th September and Saturday 11th September

Melbourne
Self Managed Super 1 Friday 16th April and Saturday 17th April
  Friday 21st May and Saturday 22nd May
   
Self Managed Super 2 Friday 30th July and Saturday 31st July
  Friday 3rd September and Saturday 4th September

Perth
Self Managed Super 1 Friday 12th March and Saturday 13th March
  Friday 23rd April and Saturday 24th April
   
Self Managed Super 2 Friday 17th September and Saturday 18th September
  Friday 22nd October and Saturday 23rd October

Sydney
Self Managed Super 2 Friday 19th March and Saturday 20th March
  Friday 30th April and Saturday 1st May
   
Self Managed Super 1 Friday 16th July and Saturday 17th July
  Friday 20th August and Saturday 21st August


Applications for the 2010 courses are now open. To apply please download the brochure and use the Registration form enclosed.

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.


Tuition fees

The 2010 price for the full program is AU$3,500 (2 courses).

 


Graduate Attributes

To download the Graduate Attributes.


 

Accreditation

spaa_logo SMSF Professionals' Association of Australia

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 the first University Course accredited since SPAA has been compiling and developing its Education 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.  

spaa colour logo

 

Download a copy of SPAA Education and Training Register Assessment for Self Managed Super 1 - Establishment and Accumulation.

Download a copy of SPAA Education and Training Register Assessment for Self Managed Super 2 - Distribution and Estate Planning.

This course provides 202 SPAA CPD points.

Financial Planning Association of Australia

The Professional Certificate and Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation has been Accredited by the Financial Planning Association of Australia.

Accreditation number 003687 for 35 points credit of continuing professional development.


top