For accountants, 2016 has been a year of interesting challenges and exciting new opportunities. As we enter a period of significant change, there are a number of considerations for accountants to take into 2017.

Accountants have a competitive edge over other professions in the age of rapid digital technology developments but must better leverage this position with clients, such as incorporating value-add services like SMSFs.

Accountants operating without an Australian financial services licence (AFSL) must ensure they remain compliant when communicating the new non-concessional contribution (NCC) rules to clients, an industry SMSF lawyer has warned.

The latest research into accountants servicing SMSF clients has shown an increasing number of practitioners currently falling into line with the new licensing regime, with even more intending to operate under an Australian financial services licence (AFSL) in the coming years.

Since the expiration of the accountants’ exemption on 1 July, accountants have realised the benefits to clients of licensed financial advice far outweigh any perceived negatives, according to an accountant-focused licensee.

Accountants choosing to continue providing services where holding an Australian financial services licence is unnecessary have to ensure their clients do not perceive they are getting licensed financial advice, a specialist lawyer has said.

The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has called on the Turnbull government to scrap some of the proposed changes to the superannuation system handed down in the 2016 federal budget.

Accountants operating without a full or limited Australian financial services licence (AFSL) must ensure their position is visibly disclosed across all business and client materials and documents, and divulge any commissions or fees from referral relationships, an industry lawyer has warned.

Accountants who have provided SMSF advice in the past have been strongly encouraged to make contact with their professional indemnity (PI) insurer to ascertain how they are covered for advice given before the new licensing regime started on 1 July.