Self Managed Super Funds
Get Expert SMSF Advice to Grow and Protect Your Retirement Savings
Having a self-managed super fund (SMSF) gives you greater control over your superannuation. That is because instead of a large institution making investment decisions for you, members act as trustees and manage the fund themselves. That means you have full responsibility for everything from the investment strategy and compliance to financial statements and tax returns.
At Advice Centre, we provide professional SMSF advice and ongoing administration (accounting and tax) to clients across Hervey Bay and Maryborough. If you want to grow and protect your retirement savings, let’s have a conversation.
Why Work With a Local SMSF team in Hervey Bay?
There is an important distinction between SMSF administration and compliance services and licensed financial advice.
Accounting and administrative services typically focus on the preparation of financial statements, tax returns, regulatory reporting and independent audit coordination. Licensed SMSF advice, by contrast, considers your broader retirement objectives and is provided in accordance with financial services laws.
At Advice Centre, we work collaboratively across advice, accounting and audit functions to ensure your SMSF is supported appropriately. Where strategic or financial product advice is required, this is provided by suitably authorised advisers. Trustees remain responsible for all final decisions relating to their SMSF.
Here are some more reasons to work with us.
Is an SMSF Right for You?
While running an SMSF can provide you with several benefits, it might not suit everyone.
They may be a better option for people who:
- Have higher super balances
- Want greater control over their investments
- Own a small business
- Are experienced property investors
- Prefer to follow a bespoke investment strategy
By contrast, having an SMSF may not be right for:
- Individuals with small balances (the ATO have a minimum balance suggestion for SMSF’s)
- Those who want to “set and forget” their investments
- People who want to keep the process simple
When deciding whether to establish a self-managed superannuation fund, it is important to ask yourself:
- Is it financially viable at your current balance?
- Do you understand your trustee duties, responsibilities and risk?
- Are you prepared to assist in the administration and compliance side of things?
- Would you rather seek professional assistance to keep things stress-free?
Our SMSF Advice Services
At Advice Centre, we offer a range of SMSF services to our clients. They include:
SMSF Strategy and Set-Up Advice
Establishing or continuing an SMSF is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. We assist trustees by providing factual information about SMSF structures, trustee options and administrative requirements.
Where appropriate, licensed advisers can assess whether an SMSF may align with your broader financial objectives, taking into account factors such as costs, complexity and long‑term suitability when compared with other superannuation arrangements.
We can also assist with the practical establishment process, including trust deed coordination, rollover administration and registration requirements. Trustees are responsible for deciding whether an SMSF structure is appropriate for their circumstances.
Investment Advice & Portfolio Construction
SMSF trustees are required under superannuation law to formulate, implement and regularly review an investment strategy that reflects the fund’s objectives and circumstances. This includes consideration of risk, diversification, liquidity and the ability of the fund to meet its liabilities.
Licensed financial advisers may provide advice to assist trustees in understanding how different asset classes and investment approaches may align with their retirement objectives. Trustees retain full responsibility for investment decisions and for ensuring the investment strategy is appropriate and complies with legislative requirements.
SMSF Property & Business Premises
Many business owners explore the option of holding commercial property within their SMSF.
SMSFs may be permitted to hold certain types of property, including business real property, provided strict conditions under superannuation law are satisfied. These rules are complex and breaches can result in significant compliance consequences.
Licensed advisers can explain the regulatory framework surrounding SMSF property, including related‑party rules, leasing requirements and borrowing restrictions under limited‑recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs). Trustees must ensure that any property arrangement complies with the sole purpose test, arm’s‑length requirements and liquidity considerations at all times.
Contributions, Pensions and Tax Strategies
Superannuation contribution limits, pension rules and tax outcomes are subject to strict legislative requirements. We assist trustees by providing general information and administrative support in relation to contribution recording, pension payments and reporting obligations.
Advice regarding contribution strategies, pension commencements or retirement income planning is provided by licensed financial advisers where appropriate. Trustees are responsible for ensuring that all contributions and pension payments comply with superannuation law and Australian Taxation Office requirements.
Ongoing SMSF Advice and Reviews
Superannuation legislation and personal circumstances change over time, which may require periodic review of an SMSF’s arrangements. We assist by coordinating reviews, identifying regulatory changes and supporting trustees with compliance obligations.
Ongoing reviews do not remove or replace trustee responsibilities. Trustees remain accountable for ensuring their SMSF complies with superannuation law at all times.
SMSF Accounting, Tax and Audit Support
An effective SMSF solution should always include strong accounting and taxation services. Here is what we offer:
SMSF Accounting & Financial Statements
We can expertly prepare annual financial statements, member statements and regulatory reports.
SMSF Tax Returns & ATO Lodgement
Your fund must lodge annual tax returns and meet Australian Taxation Office requirements. We can assist you in meeting the preparation and lodgement requirements, and review and advise on ATO correspondence.
Independent SMSF Audits
Annual independent audits are mandatory. We coordinate with independent auditors while maintaining the required arm’s-length structure to ensure your fund remains compliant and secure.
Our SMSF Advice Process
At Advice Centre, our team works to a process we have refined over many years in the SMSF industry. Here is a brief overview of some of the steps.
1.
Initial Consultation
We begin with an initial consultation. These meetings will vary dependant on if you have an existing SMSF or are seeking advice about your current investment strategies and goals. During it, we may discuss our accounting, administration and audit process. If required our financial advisors can discuss your current situation with regards to super balances, financial goals and retirement plans.
2.
Strategy and Feasibility Assessment
We conduct an overview of your current situation this will help us assess whether moving to, or remaining in, an SMSF is the best option for you, in line with your objectives.
3.
Implementation and Setup
If appropriate, we coordinate the trust deed. We will also work on the trustee structure and rollovers from existing funds.
4.
Ongoing Advice and Reviews
Via our Wealth team we regularly provide our clients with annual or semi-annual reviews. We also conduct compliance check-ins and provide strategy updates to help you track your progress toward achieving your financial goals. Advisor reviews do not remove the trustee obligations with compliance.
Who We Work With in Hervey Bay
At Advice Centre, we work with:
- Pre-retirees and retirees planning income for retirement
- Small business owners using SMSFs to own business premises
- Professionals seeking more control and tailored solutions
Our clients value the honest, professional advice and clear guidance we give them.
SMSF Risk & Regulatory Disclaimer
Important Information – SMSF Advice and Trustee Responsibilities
Self‑managed superannuation funds are regulated under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 and associated regulations. Trustees are legally responsible for ensuring their SMSF complies with all applicable superannuation and taxation laws at all times.
Information provided on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Where financial product advice is provided, it is delivered by appropriately authorised advisers. Accounting, taxation and administrative services do not constitute financial product advice.
Establishing or operating an SMSF involves significant obligations and risks, including compliance, investment, liquidity and administrative risks. Before making any decisions, trustees should seek appropriate licensed financial advice and consider whether an SMSF is suitable for their circumstances.