All parties, particularly lenders, involved in the limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA) process for SMSFs should be made to hold specific designations, separate to the qualifications already available in the industry, an industry aggregator has said.

Accountants must ensure they conduct ‘needs-to-solution’ client meetings, which incorporate full engagement tactics, as they successfully convert clients over to advice services.

SMSF administration software specialist Class Super has said it would spend the second half of the year building out its offering outside of the superannuation space to allow users to gain integration with other investment vehicles.

Brokerage fees charged to Australian investors for buying international equities were expected to come down significantly and could even become free in the next year, according to an industry executive.

SMSF software specialist BGL today announced it had released the Act2 Actuarial Certificate Service through its web-based administration offering, Simple Fund 360, with more actuarial certificate providers to come.

Saxo Capital Markets has reduced its cost to trade international shares by one-third via its new multi-asset SaxoTraderGo platform, which will assist in greater global share exposure, particularly for SMSFs.

The first quarter of 2015 has revealed a significant drop in the average contribution inflow per fund, according to the latest analysis from Multiport.

SMSF allocations into direct property were consistently on the increase, with total weightings now almost making up 10 per cent of portfolios, according to the latest analysis from OneVue.

Advisory and funds management business Aura Group has purchased a majority stake in Accountable Financial Group (AFG), an independent provider of financial advice, training, and product and service solutions to accountants.