The first group of practitioners has graduated the SMSF Association’s newly launched, structured course for its SMSF Specialist Advisor (SSA) accreditation.
A total of 37 participants made up the initial graduating class from the program.
The course was launched last year in response to feedback and demand for a more guided, contemporary learning pathway. It incorporates a cohort-based model with six, 12-week intakes per year.
There were also changes made to the assessment process resulting in the inclusion of case studies and assignments, along with multiple-choice questions.
Further it was designed to enhance the learning experience without losing the flexibility that appealed to professionals.
“We’ve listened to some of the feedback we’ve had over the years about the assessment process and made changes to that,” SMSF Association chief executive Peter Burgess told selfmanagedsuper last year.
“This new model strengthens the support and consistency available to participants, helping them succeed in a busy professional environment,” he explained.
According to the industry body the redesign also keeps the course in line with leading education frameworks, which will assist in maintaining its relevance and importance.
The course has been received well by the participants. An individual in the inaugural graduating group was client adviser at Cutcher & Neale Accounting and Financial Services Roshan Roy indicted it the course has enhanced his ability to identify risks, opportunities and appropriate structures for clients.
“The SSA designation demonstrates specialist competence in the complex world of SMSFs, giving both my clients and my organisation confidence that the advice provided is technically sound, current, and delivered to a high professional standard,” he said.
To date, more than 2300 professionals have graduated from the SSA program.
