SMSF members moving into retirement enjoyed healthy returns in the 2014 tax year, with the median balance rising 5.2 per cent even after pension drawdowns, according to a new report from Accurium.

SMSF investors were buying between $150,000 to $200,000 worth of gold for their portfolios as they recognised the advantages of investing in the asset class, according to a precious metal and gold bullion specialist.

The maths behind the total cost of delivery components for advice businesses reveals that the case for implementing exchange-traded fund (ETF) investments is compelling for advice firms, particularly those with SMSF clients.

AMP has confirmed Stuart Abley will continue to head its SMSF Advice operation.

Accountants can accelerate the process of locking in a licensing solution and begin to offer financial advice in just three months and be profitable from day one, according to an industry executive.

Accountants looking to become licensed to enable them to continue to service their current SMSF clients and add financial advice to their value proposition may be best served legally by setting up a separate entity to house the new advisory arm of the business, a sector lawyer has suggested.

SMSF specialist advisers could be the beneficiaries of the continued strong attraction to SMSFs by younger Australians, however, their services were underused, according to a report from the SMSF Association and nabtrade.

The ATO recently clarified its view on whether an Australian super fund would lose its residency status if it paid a pension to a non-resident member.

SMSF offshore administration provider Sundaram Business Services (SBS) is looking to build upon its presence in the Australian market by supplying more client offerings.