News : Auditing

Auditing, SMSF

Document long-standing audit relationships

SMSF auditors Independence Self-managed superannuation The Auditors Institute Steven Russo

Long-standing SMSF audit arrangements should be routinely examined to ensure they do not hamper a practitioner’s independence and documented to prove their suitability.

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Auditing, Property, SMSF

Why a written lease agreement is essential

SMSF Auditor Written lease agreement property Self-managed superannuation Related parties ATO Reliance Auditing Services Naz Randeria

A written lease agreement is a vital document for SMSFs holding a direct property, particularly in cases where the tenant is a related party.

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Auditing, Regulation, SMSF

Auditors must report trustee interference

SMSF SMSF auditor Self-managed superannuation Undue influence SIS Act Superannuation (Industry) Supervision (SIS) Act ATO Auditor contravention report ACR

SMSF auditors could face hefty fines or even prison time if they fail to notify the ATO when a trustee tries to sway the outcome of an audit of their fund.

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Auditing, Compliance, Property, SMSF

Overseas property carries audit risk

SMSF auditors should always signal to the ATO their concerns over funds invested in overseas property which cannot provide suitable ownership data each year.

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Auditing, Compliance, Documentation, Property, SMSF

Act now on property valuation data

Comparable sales data Property valuations Asset valuations SMSF Self-managed superannuation Auditor Tactical Super Deanne Firth

To comply with ATO guidelines and auditor requirements, SMSF practitioners should secure up-to-date sales data for property valuations as soon as possible.

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Auditing, Documentation, Regulation, SMSF

Auditors in court over poor records

SMSF auditors ATO ASIC Documentation Asset valuations

Auditors are increasingly ending up in court for not properly documenting their reasons for approving asset valuations in the funds they audit.

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ATO, Auditing, Compliance, SMSF

ATO auditor notices spark confusion

SMSF Self-managed superannuation SMSF auditors ATO Unchanged asset valuations

SMSF auditors are confused by the ATO’s compliance program targeting funds with unchanged asset valuations due to unclear guidance on which funds are at risk.

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Auditing, Investments

Avoid cutting corners with strategies

SMSF self-managed superannuation investment strategy back-dated template Vincents Mailene Wheeler

SMSF trustees should go by the book when creating investment strategies, avoiding backdated or template documents.

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ATO, Auditing, SMSF

ATO updates SMSF auditor’s report

ATO SMSF independent auditors report ASQM1 ASQC1 SMSF auditors

The SMSF independent auditor’s report has been updated, reflecting changes to audit standards that came into effect in late 2022.

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Auditing, Compliance, SMSF

Investment decision evidence required

SMSF Investment strategy Documentation Supporting evidence

An SMSF investment strategy must be documented along with the decisions the fund’s trustees have made in order to adhere to it.

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