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Professional Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation

• Overview
• Enquiries
• Study Plan
• 2008 Locations and Dates
• Graduate Attributes
• Program Rules
• Accreditation

Overview

Investment in superannuation in Australia is accumulating at an astonishing rate and now totals over $1.15 trillion. In particular the Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) industry is rapidly increasing with over 2000 new accounts opening each month taking the total to over 337,000 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.

The Professional Certificate is a unique qualification that links higher education with the requirements of industry. Courses are delivered in executive style intensive mode by academics and industry practitioners. It is proposed that these two courses will articulate to higher qualifications such as the Graduate Diploma in Wealth Management.

Download the Program Brochure for the Professional Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation  (pdf 131kB)

Download the Application Form (pdf 113kB) for the Professional Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation.

Enquiries

Enquiries, including details on course times 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

Study Plan

There are two compulsory courses which comprise the Professional Certificate in Self Managed Super Funds: Establishment & Accumulation, and 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, CGT small business exemptions and instalment warrants including the new borrowing rules. The rules concerning related party asset acquisitions, sole purpose, in-house assets, loans to members and accepting contributions will also be examined. Additionally the participants will learn the rights and obligations of the trustees, members and other parties that are connected with the operation of the fund. 

Self Managed Super II - Distribution & Estate Planning

This course consists of two sections. Three days will focus on SMSF's and examine 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, preservation rules, the payment of benefits to members and beneficiaries and the process to follow 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.

Locations and Dates for 2008

Graduate Attributes

Download the official program rules. (pdf 26kB)

Program Rules

Download the official program rules. (pdf 28kB)

Accreditation

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 by LASA. It is the first University Course accredited in the two and a half years that 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 or Masters 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 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.

Financial Planning Association of Australia

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

Accreditation number 003209 for 35 points credit of continuing professional development.

ASIC Compliance

The Professional Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation has been included on the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) Compliant Training Register. Details of compliance can be viewed here