Self-Managed Super Funds for business owners.
Imagine your super fund owning your business premises.
The rent your business pays would go into your personal super fund. That’s just one of the benefits of a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF). If it’s right for you, your FAJ accountant can help you set up an SMSF.
We can help you start your own SMSF.
If you’ve made an informed choice to start a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund and you understand your obligations as a SMSF trustee, we can establish an SMSF on your instructions.
Your FAJ accountant will show you how to set goals and investment strategies, how to ensure that your bookkeeping and records are well kept, and the steps you need to take to keep your fund compliant.
The benefits of an SMSF.
A Self-Managed Super Fund can be a cost and tax effective way of saving for your retirement. It does require a high level of engagement and understanding, so it’s not for everyone, but consider the advantages an SMSF can offer.
You control the fund’s investment choices.
As the fund’s manager you can choose what it invests in. This may include buying the commercial premises your business leases, purchasing physical assets like gold and art, or making your own choices around the investment profile. And because you control the fund, you can react to market changes quickly and nimbly.
You can structure the fund your way.
We’ll set up the SMSF and underlying trust from scratch, with its members as the trustees. That means we can institute rules and structures to suit your family, your business and your plans – as long as they conform to the legal requirements of a superannuation fund.
There are significant cost and tax advantages.
Unlike most super funds, the fees and costs associated with your SMSF tend to be fixed. That means over time as the fund grows, the costs reduce as a percentage. You can also time certain purchases and other decisions to maximise the tax benefits.
Are you ready to discuss the possibilities?
We can’t advise you to start a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund, but if you’d like to know more we can provide the information that will help you make a decision.
Frequently asked questions and answers.
For more in-depth information.
Have more questions? Our team is here to help—reach out to us today.
Some of the more common questions we are asked about SMSFs are answered below.
Our first meeting is our opportunity to get to know you, your business or organisation, your financial affairs, and of course for you to get to know us. We will have a discussion about your business, it’s history, structure, ownership, trading and future opportunities. We will clearly explain the role we can play, and can give you an indication of costs.
Once you make the decision to appoint FAJ as your accounting or audit firm, we will prepare an engagement letter that sets out our respective obligations and expectations. From there we will contact your previous accountant or auditor as a courtesy and gather any information required for handover and change your details with the Australian Taxation Office or other regulatory bodies.
Please refer to our ‘contact us’ page for full details of where to park.
Firstly contact us for an appointment. Following this you will receive an email confirming the appointment time and providing details.
If you are a new client, you will need to bring suitable identification (such as a driver's licence) to your first appointment.
Next, read the FAQ on what to bring and ensure you bring the information needed. If you are unsure, you are always better off bringing in more than less, and we can review your documents and work out what is required.
Please feel free to call prior to your appointment if you are unsure about anything.
The ATO has strengthened guidelines around client verification following increases in taxation fraud through identity theft in recent years, including identity theft through tax file numbers. To assist in reducing fraud we now require to sight suitable ID for clients new to the firm before we will lodge an income tax return.
Suitable ID includes photographic evidence such as a valid WA Drivers Licence or a current passport. Without a photographic ID, we require two secondary documents, such as a tax assessment, bank statement, or utilities notice confirming your name and current address.
Please refer to the Tax Practitioners Board factsheet for more information about proof of identity checks.
As a registered tax agent we receive automatic extensions for lodgement of our clients’ tax returns. Our lodgement dates are spread throughout the year and depend on the type of structure, tax level and lodgement history.
Taxpayers with a poor lodgement history may be due for lodgement as early as 31 October. Most entities however will be due for lodgement in May, with a lesser amount due in December, February and March.
Our preference is to meet in person where possible as for many clients it results in a more personalised experience. However we are more than happy to consult via alternate methods including video, telephone, email or mail.
We can assist you to establish an SMSF on your instructions but we cannot make a recommendation as to whether or not you should establish an SMSF as we do not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence. We recommend that you seek appropriate advice before making a decision to establish an SMSF.
An SMSF can have a company or certain individuals as it's trustees. We strongly recommend a corporate trustee as it provides additional legal protection and administrative flexibility.
A Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) is a private super fund that you manage yourself. It differs from retail and industry super funds as members are also trustees, responsible for complying with super laws and regulations.
An SMSF has many benefits but additionally comes with extra responsibility and may not suit everyone. See our FAQs on the risks and benefits of an SMSF for more information.
An SMSF can be established by individuals, typically with up to six members. All members must be trustees (or directors of a corporate trustee) and be responsible for the fund’s management.
An SMSF has many benefits but additionally comes with extra responsibility and may not suit everyone. See our FAQs on the risks and benefits of an SMSF for more information.
The benefits of an SMSF include greater control over investment decisions, access to a wider range of investments, potential tax benefits and flexibility in retirement planning.
The risks of an SMSF include legal and compliance responsibilities, admin and reporting obligations, potential for poor investment decisions and ongoing costs.
We can audit an SMSF provided we have not been involved in the prepartion of financial statements. Where we act as the accountant for an SMSF, we can arrange for an audit to be conducted by an appropriate external auditing firm.
One of our core values at FAJ is to charge a fair value fee, so we take a common sense approach to this. If you make a small enquiry that can be answered in a reasonable timeframe (without requiring research), there is unlikely to be an additional charge for emails or telephone calls.
Where clients make a significant number of enquiries, we reserve the right to charge based on our hourly rates. Additionally, we will charge for complex advice, research, taxation amendments and objections.
We charge a fee based on hourly rates for all meetings.
Have more questions? Our team is here to help—reach out to us today.
Keeping Super informed.
When rules change, opportunities arise or ideas worth sharing appear, we’ll link them here.
Some of our SMSF clients share their thoughts.
Real results from real clients
"We cannot thank Daniel and the FAJ team enough for their outstanding support in helping establish our charity, Kai-Fella. With his support we were able to gain Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status through the ACNC, which has enabled our small grass roots charity to grow. This was a significant milestone, and Daniels’s expertise, attention to detail, and genuine commitment to our cause made the entire process seamless and stress-free."
Claire Eardley
Founder - Kai Eardley Foundation
"We’re happy to recommend FAJ as an independent auditor. Over a number of years they’ve provided an excellent service – timely, professional and very approachable. Their knowledge of our sector and our needs provides a level of confidence in our relationship."
Paul Mac Phail
General Manager – Country Arts WA
"Throughout our time working together, FAJ always conducted business with WAFIC with integrity and professionalism. They have been excellent advisors through WAFIC’s material financial reporting transition and financial restructure, to make the accounts more transparent and uncomplicated. "
Grace Zhou
Finance Officer – WAFIC
"We are happy to recommend FAJ to any business or company looking for outstanding advice. As a Fremantle company, they have made a major contribution to the South Fremantle Football Club through our partnership over many years. "
Stuart Kemp
CEO – South Fremantle Football Club
"Daniel Papaphotis of FAJ provided outstanding support in establishing our charity’s ACNC registration and DGR status. His professionalism, prompt responses, and high-quality drafting were critical to our success. As a retired lawyer, I highly value his expertise and recommend Daniel and FAJ without hesitation."
Joseph D'Alessandro
Chairman - Kenya Orphanage Charity
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