The agreement to exclude SMSFs and superannuation from the United States’ Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) has been welcomed by the SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA).

The Self-managed Independent Superannuation Funds Association (SISFA) has refuted recent claims from certain quarters of the industry that there is systemic risk involved with the SMSF sector.

Greater regulation of real estate investments, particularly in SMSFs, is inevitable, with specialist licensing measures likely to be introduced for those providing property advice, according to a property director.

Fund managers looking to participate in the SMSF arena need to clearly demonstrate value to SMSF investors, particularly through outcomes investors cannot replicate themselves, according to the chief of BT Investment Management (BTIM).

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) has cautioned its members who are registered SMSF auditors to fulfil their additional educational requirements before the annual renewal of this registration.

AMP Capital made two of its existing managed funds available to SMSF investors with a view to provide greater diversification in their property and cash, or defensive, portfolio allocations.

Brian Hor has joined Townsends Business and Corporate Lawyers as its superannuation and estate planning special counsel.

The SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA) has launched a support facility designed to help its members fulfil their continuing professional development (CPD) requirements across the technical areas of SMSFs.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will be pursuing a hard enforcement line once the new licensing regime governing accountants offering SMSF advice comes into play, according to a senior executive of a peak accounting body.