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The industry benchmark, attaining an SMSF Association designation sets SMSF professionals apart, while positioning them as industry leaders.
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Want to stand out? Become an accredited SMSF Specialist
16 October 2024
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5 minute read
Specialist members of the Association are recognised throughout the sector as experts at the pinnacle of the profession. SMSF Association Specialist members are a trusted source of information and advice for the more than 1 million trustees managing their own super.
As well as Specialist recognition, the SMSF Association believes requiring advisers to have specialist advice competencies in certain areas is important to lift the professionalism and integrity of the advice industry in general.
The Association offers two different accreditation programs with flexible pathways for completion:
- SMSF Specialist Advisor – for Accountants and Financial Planners
- SMSF Specialist Auditor – for Auditors
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Why is it so important to your career?
There are many different benefits to being an accredited SMSF Specialist, as well as the professional and commercial opportunities for practitioners who secure the necessary qualifications and competencies to service a growing SMSF market.
Designed with the busy practitioner in mind, both Specialist courses provide the flexibility to complete at your own pace within a 12 week time frame, with course content updated yearly.
Professional advantages include:
- Independent recognition of your SMSF expertise
- Industry leading designation (SSA® / SSAud®)
- Grow your profile with Association branding and a listing on our ‘Find A Specialist’ directory
- Enhance your current SMSF skills and knowledge
- Access Specialist-only CPD and a minimum of 20 complimentary CPD hours a year
- Tools and Resources available on the Association’s member-exclusive Resource Library
- Access to our Technical Research Service, maintained by SMSF experts
- Stay up to date with the latest the SMSF news
- Add your voice to our ongoing advocacy efforts with Government and Regulators
- Be part of a network of like-minded and multi-disciplinary SMSF professionals
The Specialist Programs
SMSF Specialist Advisor accreditation program
Developed primarily for Accountants and Financial Planners, this program is ideal for professionals who have:
- At least 2 years experience providing advice and/or services to the SMSF sector.
- SMSF related activities accounting for at least 10% of your total workload.
To assist practitioners through the SSA® accreditation program, the Association has recently added ‘drop-in’ sessions facilitated by the Association’s highly regarded technical team.
These online sessions enable students to access valuable insights and develop a deeper understanding of technical issues, as they prepare for the exam.
SMSF Specialist Auditor accreditation program
The SMSF Specialist Auditor™ (SSAud®) program is specifically designed for audit professionals seeking recognition for their specialist skills and knowledge.
The SSAud® designation provides independent recognition of your audit expertise and knowledge of statutory obligations, Auditing & Assurance Standards and AUASB Guidance Statements.
The SSAud® designation is recognised as an approved program under the SMSF Auditor regulations (SIS 9A.01). This means, when held in conjunction with an accounting degree, diploma or certificate from a prescribed university or institution, the SSAud® designation will satisfy ASIC’s education requirements to be registered as an approved SMSF auditor.
The SMSF Association also has a unique, monthly online discussion group offered exclusively for SMSF Specialist Auditors (SSAud®) those enrolled in the program. The SMSF Association is proud to host these sessions, facilitated by leading SSAud® members, and supported by the SMSF Association’s technical team. These sessions are an opportunity for auditors to come together and discuss issues affecting SMSF auditors in practice. This includes topics of a technical nature, professional and ethical standards, and emerging issues.
Take the next step in your career today.
Find out more about the SMSF Association Specialist accreditation programs here.
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