Planning a Self-Managed Super Fund?
Your FAJ accountant can show you how to set up a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF).
If you’re thinking of starting your own Self-Managed Super Fund, we can provide all the information you need to make an informed decision. Along with the tax benefits and the advantages of direct control of your fund’s investment strategies, we’ll explain your duties and responsibilities.
Managing your own super fund is easier than you think.
Why establish an SMSF?
Take control, reap the benefits.
Creating and managing your own super fund gives you complete control over the fund’s investment and management strategies. You can use the fund to invest in assets that your business uses, gaining tax advantages and enhancing the potential for growth.
Before making any decision about establishing an SMSF, you should ensure you have received appropriate and sufficient advice that considers your personal circumstances.
How to start your SMSF.
Your FAJ team has the experience you need.
The decision must be entirely yours, but if you choose to go ahead we’ll assist in the set-up of your SMSF. We'll show you how to set goals and investment strategies, and how to ensure that your bookkeeping and records are properly kept.
Our expertise is available to ensure your fund remains compliant with all relevant rules and regulations, including the co-ordination of your annual audit.
Strategic planning is key.
Planning to maximise your retirement benefits.
There may be tax and business advantages to having an SMSF. Actions like your SMSF purchasing your business premises and leasing it back, purchase timing, investing in assets you choose, can help you combine business and individual prosperity.
Your FAJ team has the strategic and practical experience to explain the pro’s and cons of any potential strategies, and implement them.
Frequently asked questions and answers.
For more in-depth information.
Have more questions? Our team is here to help—reach out to us today.
Starting an SMSF is a big step. Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions.
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 well informed is vital.
As an SMSF manager, you need to be across legislative changes, ATO rulings, compliance issues and more. This is your resource.
Meet some of our SMSF clients.
Real results from real clients
"Our family has been coming to FAJ for many years and we couldn’t be more grateful for the expertise of Anita and the FAJ team. As a retired accountant I find their depth of knowledge regarding tax and superannuation to be first class and Anita’s clear and personalised advice makes each tax season stress-free."
Ross and Lee McGuffie
Individual and SMSF clients
"FAJ has been our trusted accountant for 30 years, managing both our business and personal finances with invaluable expertise. Their knowledge, accessibility, and guidance have been instrumental in our success, and we highly recommend them."
Barry & Julie Warwick
Retired business owners
"FAJ have taken care of everything for me for more than 20 years. Whether it’s financial, superannuation or personal, I know I can turn to FAJ and it will be done. This takes the pressure off so I can get on with enjoying life. The difference at FAJ, whether you talk to a partner or any other team member, is that they care at a personal level, and you can tell this as soon as you walk through the door."
Susan Gale
Retired business owner
How can we help you?
Tax Returns
Taking the tension out of income tax returns.
Ensuring you never pay more tax than you should and always get the refund you deserve, is just the start of what we can do for you.
Home Loans
Giving you smarter financing choices.
As a local Fremantle accounting firm, we’re invested in ensuring that our local customers get the best value in everything finance – that’s why we created FAJ Home Loans.