News : Auditing

ATO, Auditing

ATO refers 41 auditors to ASIC

self managed super, self managed super fund, self managed super funds, self managed superannuation, SMSF, ATO, auditor review, ASIC, compliance, audit evidence, independence requirements, auditor contravention report lodgements

The ATO has referred 41 SMSF auditors to ASIC as a result of its review into the practices of more than 200 of these professionals.

read more
Auditing

Engagement letter locks in responsibility

self managed super, self managed super fund, self managed super funds, self managed superannuation, SMSF, auditor, letter of engagement, ARC Super, Ashley Course, Ryan Wealth Holdings Pty Ltd v Baumgartner, contractual obligation

SMSF auditors commit to protecting the interests of fund trustees and members when they issue a letter of engagement.

read more
Auditing

Highlight risks to avoid audit advice

self managed super, self managed super fund, self managed super funds, self managed superannuation, SMSF, auditor, risky assets, evidence, reasoning, The Super Playbook 2025, ARC Super, Ashley Course, investment strategy

Auditors can flag the presence of risky assets in an SMSF by highlighting the absence of evidence or reasoning for their presence in a fund.

read more
Auditing, LRBA

Auditors must still check LRBA offsets

ADI, ASF Audits, ATO, Auditors, Authorised Deposit-taking Institution, limited recourse borrowing arrangement, LRBA, management letter, non-ADI, offset accounts, self-managed super, Self-managed superannuation fund, Shelley Banton, SMSF

Recent ATO comments on LRBAs with offset accounts have changed little for auditors, who must check them as part of their reports.

read more
Auditing, Valuations

Zero valuations unacceptable

ATO, Auditor contravention report, Bryce Figot, DBA lawyers, Division 296, negative net assets, self-managed super, Self-managed superannuation fund, SMSF, The Auditors Institute, unlisted shares, zero valuations

SMSFs that value assets at zero are unlikely to find that view accepted by the ATO and should seek better evidence as to their actual worth.

read more
Auditing, Technology

Div 296 means auditors need tech

self managed super, self managed superannuation, SMSF, Division 296, auditors, Sharesight, Doug Morris, SMSF portfolio, $3 million threshold

The proposed Division 296 tax will create more work for SMSF auditors, meaning they need to look at how technology can make their lives easier.

read more
Auditing, Compliance, Documentation

Check existence of old declarations

self managed super, self managed superannuation, SMSF, SMSF auditors, trustee declaration, 10 years, auditor contravention report, ACR, DBA Lawyers, Bryce Figot, ATO, The Auditors Institute

Auditors need to check whether trustees still hold their declarations and take compliance action if they cannot be found.

read more
ATO, Auditing, Compliance

Audit guidance reissued by ATO

SMSF, self managed super, audit, SMSF auditors, guidance, ATO, Part B, SIS Act, SIS Regulations, SMSF trustees, auditor contravention report, ACR

The ATO has released a lengthy guide on what it expects SMSF auditors to consider, noting these requirements are its minimum expectations.

read more
ATO, Auditing

Auditors urged to check SAN misuse

SMSF auditors should be checking if their details have been misused with the ATO noting few have accessed its online information service over the past year.

SMSF auditors should be checking if their details have been misused, with the ATO noting few have accessed its online information service over the past year.

read more
Auditing, NALI/NALE

NALE identification role shared

Tax agents have a shared role with auditors in identifying where NALE has arisen in an SMSF and a failure to recognise it may be a breach of their obligations.

read more

Copyright © SMS Magazine 2025

ABN 80 159 769 034

Benchmark Media

WordPress website development by DMC Web.