Peter Burgess

The SMSF Association’s 2025 Technical Summit, taking place at the Sydney Masonic Centre on August 6–7, will challenge SMSF professionals to confront the realities of practising in a high-stakes, high-compliance environment – where policy settings are shifting, regulation is tightening, litigation risk is rising, and the line between guidance and advice has never been more blurred.

This year’s program goes beyond theory – cutting through the noise to deliver practical insights into the ethical dilemmas, compliance pitfalls, and behavioural challenges facing the sector. From managing client capacity and aged care transitions to navigating superannuation contribution and pension strategies, dealing with related-party transactions, and identifying emerging audit risks, the Technical Summit equips professionals to operate with confidence in an increasingly complex sector.

“In today’s environment, where one misstep can lead to litigation or loss of professional standing, SMSF professionals are facing unprecedented scrutiny, from clients, regulators, and peers,” says SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess.

“Sound technical knowledge alone is no longer enough. SMSF professionals must now demonstrate   professional judgment, ethical clarity, compliance discipline, and strategic foresight in every client interaction. This Technical Summit is designed to deliver exactly that.”

He says this year’s program is anchored by five powerful questions every SMSF practitioner must be prepared to answer:

• How do you support your clients without crossing regulatory boundaries?
• Are you truly delivering holistic advice – or just part of the picture?
• Are you getting it right, or waiting for the regulator to step in?
• Can your professional judgment hold firm when clients present moral and ethical dilemmas?
• Are you learning from courtroom decisions – or heading for it?

These questions will be explored across keynote presentations, technical sessions and workshops – with case studies featured prominently throughout the program to bring real-world client scenarios to life.

With sessions led by some of the profession’s most trusted names – including keynote speakers Peter Burgess, Craig Day, Louise Biti and Bryce Figot – this year’s Technical Summit will challenge attendees to think deeply about their responsibilities and equip them with the clarity, confidence, and tools needed to navigate client situations with both technical precision and professional integrity.

Register for the 2025 Technical Summit.

The post Expertise leads in the SMSF Associations Technical Summit program appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Peter Burgess

In recognition of the profession’s importance to the sector, the SMSF Association’s annual SMSF Audit Day is back, once again tackling the pressing challenges auditors face in today’s rapidly changing regulatory and legislative environment.

The one-day virtual event on 3 September will focus on equipping auditors with the essential tools and insights needed to enhance the overall quality and integrity of SMSF audits.

SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess says: “Our SMSF Audit Day is designed to ensure SMSF auditors possess the critical knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today’s complex environment.

What truly sets our event apart is its inclusive approach, catering to all SMSF professionals. This event presents an opportunity to foster effective collaboration between auditors and other SMSF experts, to ensure the annual audit process is seamless and efficient.”

“By addressing common audit challenges and exploring the future of SMSF auditing, this event offers invaluable insights to help auditors remain compliant and deliver value to their clients.”

The program kicks off with a session from Marjon Muizer, Founder of Red Willow Super, on common SMSF audit misconceptions. The session will highlight frequent errors and offer practical solutions to enhance compliance with audit standards.

Shelley Banton, Head of Technical at ASF Audits, will tackle the complexities of asset titles in SMSF audits, providing clear guidance on legal requirements and best practices to ensure compliance and protect fund members’ interests.

Con Gotsis, Director at Guardian Assurance, will then address the challenges of auditing related party transactions, offering insights into key issues such as non-arm’s length income and related party acquisitions.

In her session on auditing SMSF death benefits, Shirley Schaefer, Partner of Superannuation at BDO, will demystify this complex area by highlighting essential audit areas, common pitfalls and what constitutes sufficient audit evidence, complemented by a practical checklist to ensure thorough and compliant audit files.

Looking to the future, Jacob Kewley, Director at Tactical Super, will discuss the impact of the proposed Division 296 changes and the anticipated regulatory scrutiny on high-balance funds. He’ll offer strategies for navigating these changes, managing risks, and adapting to new asset types.

Finally, Bryce Figot, Special Counsel at DBA Lawyers, will share proven tips and traps for SMSF auditors facing ATO and ASIC audits. His session will provide practical advice on how best to handle a review or audit from a Regulator, ensuring compliance and safeguarding professional standing.

Burgess concludes: “SMSF Audit Day transcends being a mere technical event; it represents a strategic investment in your profession, ensuring client satisfaction and long-term retention. By attending, you position yourself at the forefront of audit issues, ready to navigate and thrive in the complex and ever-changing SMSF landscape.”

The post SMSF Audit Day enhancing quality and integrity of SMSF audits appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Peter Burgess

There is no shortage of complex issues confronting SMSF specialists, from legislative changes, ATO rulings, the rising cost of living pressures to technological advancements such as ChatGPT, impacting on their businesses and clients.

With all these issues, and more, on the agenda at the SMSF Association’s highly anticipated Technical Summit, being held on July 26-27 on the Gold Coast, Association CEO Peter Burgess says it makes for a compelling argument for all SMSF specialists to attend.

“With the focus on ‘Advanced Professional Development’, it allows for industry experts to share their knowledge on how to respond to these challenges and the impact they have on their clients.

“We are thrilled with the line-up of speakers this year, with professionals seeking an understanding on how these changes will affect them.

“As a result, much of the program revolves around workshops that allows for an open, interactive conversation and for attendees to not only learn from highly reputable speakers but from one another.”

With the widespread negative ramifications of the Government’s proposed $3 million cap on super balances becoming increasingly clear, Burgess will use his opening address at the Summit to critically dissect this new tax and the recently released draft amendments to non-arm’s length expense rules.

Following this address, a keynote discussion from Heffron Consulting’s Meg Heffron will adopt a future planning perspective, exploring how the proposed $3 million cap on super is expected to affect the SMSF sector and members’ retirement savings.

Heffron will examine the potential impact the new tax will have on how SMSF members choose to contribute, invest their retirement savings and how they manage estate planning.

To assist in identifying which clients are likely to be affected by the $3 million super cap, DBA Lawyers Special Counsel Bryce Figot will deliver a workshop delving into core concepts such as Total Super Balance (TSB) and Transfer Balance Cap (TBC).

This highly technical workshop will address a myriad of interrelated issues, such as the indexation of thresholds, the impact of structured settlements and limited recourse borrowing arrangements plus much more.

Aligning with the overarching theme of thinking forward and future planning, Colonial First State’s Craig Day is set to close out day one with a case study driven workshop on the plethora of contribution opportunities available and the associated challenges.

The impressive line-up of keynote speakers on day two of the Summit includes View Legal’s Matthew Burgess who will use his learnings over the past 36 months as a case study to give actionable ideas and unpack the consequences of professional service firms (PSFs) harnessing the opportunities associated with AI enabled solutions, such as ChatGPT.

Cooper Partners’ Jemma Sanderson will open the afternoon with a focus on case studies on the different types of benefit payments and the importance of understanding how the super and tax laws interact.

Burgess concludes: “An area we have noticed members asking for is case studies and real-life examples on how to manage these changes in volatile times. As a result, many of the sessions not only include a presentation but case studies in alignment.

“In total six technical workshops, four keynotes and four technical sessions will be presented across the two-day Technical Summit, so we are excited with how this year’s agenda will challenge our industry experts and leaders.”

The post SMSF Association Technical Summit program setting the bar on professional development appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Louise Biti

Specialist workshops will be a core focus at the upcoming 2023 annual SMSF Association Technical Summit, being held on July 26-27 on the Gold Coast.

SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess says: “The outstanding success of last year’s event demonstrated the strong attraction that a combination of technical workshops, and engagement with industry experts presents for our specialist members.”

The 2023 workshop sessions are certain to have broad appeal with speakers including, DBA Lawyers’ Bryce Figot focussing on the tips and traps of the Total Super Balance and Transfer Balance Cap regimes, and Colonial First State’s Craig Day presenting his take on the latest in contribution strategies.

In other workshop sessions, Accurium’s Mark Ellem will dive into a series of case studies designed to explore the technical issues that can arise during the preparation of annual financial statements, while Aged Care Steps’ Louise Biti will look at aged care and housing affordability solutions.

In his keynote address opening the Summit, Burgess will provide expert analysis and critical review of Treasury consultation papers (including the proposed $3 million cap), ATO rulings, enacted law and draft legislation impacting on the SMSF sector and the broader super industry.

Heffron Consulting Meg Heffron’s keynote address in the morning on day one, looks at the $3 million cap, with Heffron adding: “Although not all SMSF clients will be subject to the new tax on earnings for balances over $3 million, it is clearly a major issue for our industry. 

“I will explore some of the new challenges and decisions for impacted clients, advisers and accountants whilst also discussing what this means for the future place of SMSFs in our superannuation landscape.”

The Chair of the SMSF Association, Scott Hay-Bartlem from Cooper Grace Ward will wrap up the 2023 Technical Summit with a high energy estate planning update, sharing his predictions on future litigation ‘hot spots’, as well as previewing how the proposed $3 million cap is expected to impact on future estate planning strategies.

Burgess concludes: “It all adds up to an exciting and professionally fulfilling event. The Technical Summit always presents an advanced agenda to elevate the skills of those operating at the highest level in the SMSF sector, and this year is no different. 

“The bonus alongside the several industry leaders we have presenting will be a gala dinner to celebrate the Association’s 20^th anniversary on the Wednesday night.” 

With six technical workshops on the program to ensure high quality discussions, seats at this year’s Technical Summit will be limited, so delegates are encouraged to register early.

Register for the Summit. 

The post Specialist workshops the focus of the upcoming SMSF Association Technical Summit appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Bryce Figot

The Specialist-only session will be a major highlight at the SMSF Association National Conference being held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19-21 February 2020.

SMSF Association CEO John Maroney says these sessions proved “hugely popular” at the 2018 and 2019 conferences, so the organising committee is continuing the practice with DBA Lawyers’ Special Counsel Bryce Figot examining all the technical aspects involved in conducting a business in an SMSF.

“All the feedback says this session is highly valued by our Specialist members, and we’re confident this will be the case again with Bryce offering his insights into what is a significantly important issue for many SMSF specialists.

“Also, by popular demand, there will be twice as many workshops next year as there were in 2019, with members appreciating the opportunity to interact with expert speakers and their peers. Topics will include death benefits, aging clients and advice, and audit.”

Maroney says that like other years, the 2020 National Conference will give delegates the opportunity to get up to date with the latest changes in SMSF legislation and regulations, investment options, business practice and advice.

“But the 2020 program will also include a new advice, practice and regulatory stream where issues such as best business practice, ethics, client-best interest, and complaints resolution will be put under the microscope.”

He says the 2019 National Conference was attended by more than 1,600 delegates across the spectrum of SMSF professionals, and the Association is confident 2020 will be just as successful with a long list of expert speakers participating.

“It’s not all work. Each day of the National Conference will end with a premium social function, allowing delegates to network in a relaxed environment. Wednesday and Thursday will end with a themed stand-up cocktail function that will surprise, and the Charter Hall Final Day Luncheon will conclude with an exciting keynote speaker.”

Early bird registration is now available.

The post Specialist session to be major attraction at 2020 National Conference appeared first on AdviserVoice.