CORPFIN 6009OL - SMSF Best Practice

Online - Semester 2 - 2022

This subject will provide students with an underpinning in the concepts and theories of SMSF operations. Students will consolidate their existing knowledge and skills base and extend this into complex SMSF scenarios. Students will study and evaluate complex financial retirement scenarios to identify best practice methods of SMSF operations As one of three core subjects in this qualification, students will also be given the opportunity to develop their critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills. Successful completion of this subject means a student can apply for SMSF Practitioner (SSPTM) accreditation with the SMSF Association.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CORPFIN 6009OL
    Course SMSF Best Practice
    Coordinating Unit International Centre for Financial Services
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Online
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Course Description This subject will provide students with an underpinning in the concepts and theories of SMSF operations. Students will consolidate their existing knowledge and skills base and extend this into complex SMSF scenarios.
    Students will study and evaluate complex financial retirement scenarios to identify best practice methods of SMSF operations
    As one of three core subjects in this qualification, students will also be given the opportunity to develop their critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills.
    Successful completion of this subject means a student can apply for SMSF Practitioner (SSPTM) accreditation with the SMSF Association.
    Course Staff
    Peter Hogan

    Email: peter.hogan@adelaide.edu.au 
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1. Explain how the different SMSF related occupations can contribute to the optimal operation of an SMSF
    2. Intergrate regulatory and legislative requirements into SMSF advice functions
    3. Research, assess and apply best practice methodology to the operation of an SMSF
    4. Research and evaluate the suitability of an SMSF investment strategy based on the individual circumstances presented


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    All

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    All

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    All

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    All

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    All
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Negline, T 2020, The Essential SMSF Guide 2020-2021, Thomson Reuters, Pyrmont, NSW
    Recommended Resources
    Supplementary reference materials and learning resources are provided on MyUni. 
    Online Learning
    This course is offered predominataly online with all materials available in your MyUni site
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This is an online course, students are expected to undertake the weekly topics as per the Activity Planners.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students should expect to work through a topic per week by the due date provided on the Activity Planner.

    Students are required to complete 1 assignment and weekly quizzes for this course plus set aside time to study for the exam.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topic 1 - SMSF Fund History
    Topic 2 - Barriers to entry, Suitability and Setting up a Fund
    Topic 3 - Managing Investments
    Topic 4 - Contributions
    Topic 5 - SMSF Reporting
    Topic 6 - Benefit Payments
    Topic 7 - Taxation
    Topic 8 - Winding up a fund
    Topic 9 - SMSF Trustee Guidance

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Tasks Due Weighting Learning Outcomes
    Assignment Week 6 35% 1,3, 4
    Quizzes Weeks 4,5,7,8 & 9 10% (2% each) 2,3
    Online Examination Week 13 55% 1,2,3
    Assessment Detail
    Weekly Quizzes
    There are 5 weekly quizzes in total each consisting of 4 or 5 questions. The quizzes represents 10% of the final grade. 

    Assignment
    Critical review essay - students are requried to submit a critical review essay on a specific scenario.
    This is an individual assignment due in Week 6 and presents 35% of the final grade.
    The overall word limit is 1000 +/- 10% and submitted via Turnitin on the course site.

    Online Examination
    The exam consists of multiple choice, multiple answer, True/False, Yes/No and short answer questions representing 55% of the final grade.
    Submission
    Weekly Quizzes must be completed on MyUni.

    Assignment must be submitted via Turnitin by the due date. Assignments submitted after the due date will need to be emailed to the Program co-ordinator and will be penalised 5% for each day it is overdue
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.