The federal government’s proposed requirement for Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)-regulated superannuation funds to have an independent chair and one-third of their boards made up of independent directors has been welcomed by two SMSF industry bodies.

An Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) investigation has resulted in the principal of Sherwin Financial Planners being charged with a number of fraud offences.

Specialist SMSF administration provider Class Super has extended its series of key relationships with other industry organisations with the announcement of a newly formed partnership with actuarial certificate provider Haintz Actuarial.

Financial advisers must have a set of procedures in place to facilitate the wind-up of an SMSF, according to an industry expert.

In its submission to the federal government’s tax white paper, the SMSF Association has expressed its preference for the tax rules applying to superannuation to remain unchanged.

Lobby group the SMSF Owners’ Alliance has formed a policy advisory council for the purpose of providing strategic advice to the body’s board on how to best represent the interests of its members.

The latest research into the SMSF sector has revealed the majority of service providers offering compliance and administration services continue to do so on an annual basis.