Brisbane · CPA-qualified · Registered Tax Agents
Self-managed super, administered properly.
Fund setup, annual accounts, member statements, compliance and audit coordination — so trustees keep the control they wanted without the paperwork risk they didn't.
What is an SMSF, and what does administration involve?
A self-managed super fund is a superannuation fund you are the trustee of, regulated by the ATO, with all members generally also trustees. Each year the fund must keep accounting records, value assets at market value, prepare financial statements and member statements, be audited by an independent ASIC-approved SMSF auditor, and lodge an SMSF annual return. Trustees must also meet the sole purpose test, comply with the investment strategy rules, and keep fund assets entirely separate from personal assets.
- Fixed annual administration from $1,650
- Independent approved auditor arranged
- Contribution and pension strategy included
- Wind-ups and rollovers handled end to end
Three SMSF pages — which one?
SMSF work splits into establishing a fund, running it each year, and understanding your duties as trustee.
- The SMSF service — you're here Setup, annual administration, audit coordination, pensions and wind-ups, with fees.
- Choosing an SMSF accountant What to look for, what specialisation means, and whether a fund suits your balance.
- Trustee obligations The annual compliance cycle, valuations, in-house asset rules and common breaches.
Why us
Why Brisbane clients choose us for self-managed super (smsf).
Compliance-first
In-house asset rules, related-party transactions, the sole purpose test and market valuations are checked every year — not assumed.
Audit coordinated for you
We prepare a complete audit file and manage the independent auditor's queries, so trustees aren't chasing documents.
Strategy, not just paperwork
Contribution caps, carry-forward space, bring-forward non-concessional contributions, pension commencement and minimum drawdowns — reviewed annually.
Honest on suitability
SMSFs suit some balances and not others once fixed annual costs are counted. If a fund isn't right for you, we'll say so before you establish one.
Who it's for
Who we work with
Trustees at every stage — establishing, running, converting to pension, or winding up.
- Couples consolidating super into one fund
- Trustees holding direct shares and ETFs
- Funds holding commercial or residential property
- Business owners holding their premises in super
- Funds with a limited recourse borrowing arrangement
- Members moving from accumulation to pension
- Trustees unhappy with their current administrator
- Funds needing to be wound up and rolled out
Indicative fees
| Engagement | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| Fund establishment — individual trustees | from $850 + ASIC/deed costs |
| Fund establishment — corporate trustee | from $1,650 incl. company setup |
| Annual administration (accumulation) | from $1,650 |
| Annual administration (pension phase) | from $1,980 |
| Independent audit fee | from $550 (paid to auditor) |
| Wind-up and rollout | from $1,100 |
What's included
What the engagement covers.
Fund establishment
Trust deed, trustee structure (individual or corporate), ABN and TFN registration, bank and broker accounts, and the initial investment strategy.
Annual administration
Financial statements, member statements, trustee minutes, investment strategy review and the SMSF annual return.
Independent audit
We prepare the audit file and liaise with an ASIC-approved SMSF auditor — a legal requirement every fund must meet.
Contributions and caps
Concessional contributions to the $30,000 cap, carry-forward unused cap space, non-concessional and bring-forward rules, and Division 293 monitoring.
Pension phase
Commencing account-based pensions, minimum drawdown calculation, transfer balance account reporting and actuarial certificates where required.
Property and borrowing
Limited recourse borrowing arrangement documentation, bare trust structures, in-house asset checks and market valuations.
How it works
Our process.
- 1
Suitability conversation
Balance, investment intent and appetite for trustee duties — the honest version, before any documents.
- 2
Establishment or transfer
New fund set up end to end, or your existing fund transferred from its current administrator with no gap in compliance.
- 3
Records and valuations
We collect data feeds and statements through the year so June isn't a scramble.
- 4
Accounts and audit
Financial statements, member statements, audit file, independent audit, then the annual return.
- 5
Annual trustee review
Investment strategy, insurance consideration, contribution and pension settings for the year ahead.
FAQ
Self-Managed Super (SMSF) — questions we're asked most.
How much money do I need to start an SMSF?
There's no legal minimum, but fixed annual costs — administration, audit, the ATO supervisory levy — mean funds under roughly $200,000 often can't compete with a low-fee industry fund on net return. ASIC has expressed similar concerns. Above that, and especially where you want direct property or specific shareholdings, the control usually justifies the cost. We'll model it for your actual balance rather than quoting a rule of thumb.
Can my SMSF buy property?
Yes, subject to strict rules. Residential property cannot be acquired from, or rented to, a related party. Business real property can be acquired from a related party at market value and leased back to your business on arm's-length commercial terms. Borrowing must use a compliant limited recourse borrowing arrangement, and improvements funded by borrowings are restricted. Every step needs documenting before settlement — get advice first, not after.
Does my SMSF really need an audit every year?
Yes. Every SMSF must be audited annually by an independent, ASIC-approved SMSF auditor before the annual return is lodged — regardless of fund size or activity. We prepare the file and manage the process; the auditor must remain independent of us.
What are the penalties for getting it wrong?
They're real: administrative penalties charged to trustees personally, ATO education directions, rectification directions, and in serious cases the fund being made non-complying — which can tax fund assets at 45%. The common failures are avoidable ones: illegal early access, loans to members, and assets held in the wrong name.
Can I move my existing fund to you mid-year?
Yes, and it's common. We obtain the prior administrator's records, verify opening balances and member components, and pick up compliance from that point. Transfers work best straight after an audit is signed off, but we handle mid-year moves regularly.
How much does SMSF administration cost?
Fixed fees: administration from $1,650 a year in accumulation phase, from $1,980 in pension phase, plus the independent audit from $550 and the ATO supervisory levy. Establishment from $850 with individual trustees, or from $1,650 including a corporate trustee company.
Related services
Explore related services.
SMSF Accountant Brisbane
Funds, compliance, audits
Learn more →Accountants for SMSF Trustees
Specialist tax and accounting support for Brisbane smsf trustees.
Learn more →Tax Planning
Year-round planning that lowers your tax bill before 30 June — not after it.
Learn more →Property Investment Accountant Brisbane
Rentals, depreciation, CGT
Learn more →Financial Reporting
Clear statutory and management accounts you can actually make decisions from.
Learn more →Tax Returns
Individual and business returns prepared accurately, lodged fast, with every deduction claimed.
Learn more →Local coverage across Brisbane
We work in person from our Wakerley office and by secure video across 200 suburbs. Start with your region:
- Accountants Brisbane CPA accountants for the wider Brisbane metro area.
- Accountants South Brisbane South Brisbane, West End, Annerley and Sunnybank.
- Accountants Brisbane Northside Chermside, Stafford, Aspley and the northern corridor.
- Accountants Brisbane Bayside Wynnum, Manly, Wakerley and Tingalpa.
- Accountants Redland City Cleveland, Capalaba, Victoria Point and the bay islands.
- Accountants Logan City Springwood, Beenleigh, Browns Plains and 50 Logan suburbs.
- Accountants Ipswich Ipswich CBD and the western Brisbane corridor.
Ready when you are
Self-Managed Super (SMSF) — let's talk.
Free 15-minute consultation and a fixed-fee quote in writing. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm AEST.