Your Wealth, Your Way
Navigate SMSFs with our expert guidance
iSUPER® is a subsidiary of the EQ8 Accountants group that provides clients with flexibility, transparency and control over their superannuation to drive the wealth and lifestyle outcomes they are after.
We are trusted to educate, coach and ensure compliance for our clients as they make their investment decisions to grow their wealth.
ANTHONY MAHER
- BComm, CA and CTA
Director
Anthony spent the early years of adult life managing hospitality businesses which culminated in owning and operating his own retail business in Partnership. When this Partnership dissolved Anthony was looking for a new challenge. Anthony chose Accounting as he saw an opportunity in an industry where client service standards were well below the level at which they should be delivered.
Anthony commenced his new career at KPMG where he gained “big firm” experience. Anthony then started his own accounting practice in 2005, later merging this business with RP Campbell Associates. Anthony continues to service many of the same clients that were with him when he started his career as there is a great appreciation for Anthony’s hands-on and proactive management of their affairs.
Anthony enjoys playing football and golf and has a large diverse extended family that keeps him busy with all manner of shared interests with family members.
HAMISH STUART
- MAcc, CA
Director
Hamish has been assisting businesses and family groups with their tax planning, structuring and financial management over the last 20 years.
He has worked at PwC and Ernst & Young, managing the affairs of some of the wealthiest family groups and private businesses in Australia with a particular focus on structures and self-managed superannuation funds. Hamish has also spent time in banking and investments as a Private Banker within the Westpac Group. In a past life he set up and ran his own corporate health business.
Hamish has a Masters in Accounting, is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He is married with a beautiful wife and is a proud father of two gorgeous girls. He enjoys golf, rugby and cricket, however as age wearies him, these have now turned into spectator sports.
- known cost of administration;
- the benefits of independent advice; and
- access to experience staff to assist you in maximising your opportunities within your SMSF.
We do all this whilst also remaining flexible enough to accommodate how you want to invest. Whether you want to use a specific bank or broker, or invest in the different investment options available to an SMSF, we can cater for all your administration needs.
Our focus is to be:
Cost effective
We constantly strive to improve our service to meet your SMSF needs. We have developed our processes over 10 years to ensure an efficient and robust service that you can rely on, at a price you can afford.
Timely and flexible
We offer a solution that provides timely compilation of all the accounts and statutory documentation your fund needs.
We do not restrict you to a specific bank, broker or investment platform. We work with your preferred investment choices and advisers.
Available quality
A SMSF is a smaller, member controlled fund, which can offer greater control over providing for your retirement. The members are the trustees of the fund which allows them to have a greater influence over the strategy and operations of the fund.
- tailor your SMSF’s investment strategy;
- have greater control in how your fund is managed; and
- have greater transparency over the fees your SMSF is being charged.
- the SMSF should not have more than six members;
- the Members will generally act as trustees for the fund
- the SMSF needs to be operated for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits; and
- the members cannot access their retirement savings before they are permitted.
“With great control, comes great responsibility”…as Trustee of your own fund you will be required to ensure that your SMSF remains compliant with SIS legislation and regulations.
You can take on these additional responsibilities or you can outsource to professional providers…this is where iSUPER® can help.
- investing in direct property;
- borrowing to buy direct property;
- purchasing your business premises;
- collectibles;
- listed shares outside the ASX 300; and
- private company shares.
It is important to note, that there are restrictions on some of the investments listed above. Whilst you can invest in them, it is important that you seek professional advice to ensure that all the compliance requirements are met, and they are in accordance with your investment strategy.
Fund balance and cost
It is generally suggested that you need upwards of $200,000 in superannuation to start an SMSF. This figure has been around for many years and is based on the assumption that you would be paying fees of approximately 1% of your fund balance in a retail fund being, $2,000. This is the point at which the fees, based on the above assumption, become equal.
As your SMSF balance increases, your fees will generally stay the same. This means your fees, as a percentage of your fund balance, will decrease, providing an overall reduction in what comes out of your retirement savings.
Greater control
- borrow to purchase a property;
- invest in private company shares;
- hold artwork and collectibles;
- invest in related trusts; and
- have instalment warrant shares and options.
Note “With control comes responsibility”…there are additional requirements that may need to be met for some of the above investments. To discuss these requirements, please call one of our team.
You need to manage your fund’s investments in the best interests of the members and in accordance with the law. Always remember the SMSF’s investments must be separate from the personal and business affairs of all fund members.
Limited members
SMSF’s can have up to six members. This means you can have six people sharing the costs of running the SMSF. While there may be a slightly higher fee for managing six members, it will not be six times as much. This will result in a further reduction in the costs of managing your money and allows members to purchase an asset that individually they may not have been able to buy.
Decide on who will be members of the fund (maximum six members).*Note: Members can be added or removed later as required. Decide on whether you will use a corporate trustee.
Choose a name for the fund and corporate trustee (if using one). *Note: The fund name does not have to be unique, however the corporate trustee name does need to be.
SMSF’s have a greater pool of potential investments to choose from, including the majority of assets available in retail funds. Whilst some investments in SMSF’s are available through other superannuation platforms, several popular options may not be. Some of these investments include:
- investing in direct property;
- borrowing to buy direct property;
- owning your business premises in your super fund;
- loans;
- collectibles;
- listed shares that you choose (that are not in the ASX 300); and,
- private company shares.
It is important to note however, that there are restrictions on some of the investments listed above. Whilst you can invest in them, it is important that you seek professional advice to check the suitability of these investments for your retirement strategy before any investments are made.
At iSUPER® we recognise that there are different needs for different funds. We therefore offer a tiered pricing structure to allow you to choose what level of service you would like. All levels provide the basic support of prepared financial accounts, annual SMSF returns and documentation, and preparation of an audit file.
The fee you pay will depend on how much help you would like, and whether you see additional value in our premium services. Ask our team for more about what services are offered in each fee range, and how these could be of benefit to you.
Setting up your fund can be done within 48 hours, however the process of rolling over your funds from an industry fund may take some time.
Many funds are reluctant to see you leaving their institution and can make this process time consuming and drawn out.
We can manage this for you to make your transition as seamless as possible.
Some funds can take up to six weeks to release your superannuation.
Whilst consolidating your super takes time, this can be done once your fund is established.
Some of the benefits in consolidating your superannuation include:
- holding all your super together;
- it allows you to invest your superannuation under one strategy;
- it may allow you to invest in assets that may not be able to be purchased with only part of your superannuation; and
- it should reduce the overall fees that are being paid.
At iSUPER®, we assist trustees with the paperwork required to transfer the balance from your existing superannuation to your new SMSF.
There are some tips in transferring your superannuation to a SMSF, contact us to find out how.