The ATO has confirmed it considers the practice of offering low-cost SMSF audits as a high risk factor and as such will be continuing to scrutinise individuals offering this type of service.

A number of industry submissions to the Inquiry into Economic Security for Women in Retirement have called for changes to the contributions caps to allow women with interrupted workforce participation to amass sufficient savings to fund their retirement.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has brought criminal charges against Grant Ross, including one count of carrying on an unlicensed financial services business and three counts of engaging in unlicensed credit activity.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued a permanent ban on Perth-based former financial planner Marion Pearson for improper conduct in relation to advice provided to SMSF clients.

The Federal Court has imposed a $25,000 penalty against online SMSF administration and accounting service provider Superannuation Warehouse Australia (SWA) for false and misleading advertising.

Specialist provider of Australian financial services licences for accountants Rise Standards has experienced a large increase in interest in its offering as the deadline for the scrapping of the accountants’ exemption draws near.

Wealth management software provider Bravura Solutions has improved its portfolio administration system, Garradin, for SMSFs, making tax lodgements easier.

Research house Lonsec has assigned its initial ratings for two managed investment funds – the AllianceBernstein Global Equities Fund and Macquarie Specialist Investments (MSI) Dividend Run-Up Fund. The AllianceBernstein offering was awarded a Recommended rating, with Lonsec noting the underlying strategy the fund employs has a well-established record despite the product’s limited performance track record. […]