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(May-2004) New learning curve for SMSFs
The SMSF Professionals Association (SPAA) is seeking to impose a common set of education standards covering the self-managed superannuation funds arena.
Under the arrangements, education providers and training organisations will need to ensure their courses and materials are accredited by the SPAA before they can be recognised for the granting of SPAA Specialist Membership.
The SPAA’s chief executive officer, Andrea Slattery, says this represents the first time that all the elements of the different professions associated with providing advice in the SMSF area have been drawn together.
“This is to ensure the training that each of these professionals receive is of a consistently high standard and enhances the quality of advice to their clients,” she says.
Slattery says in order to receive accreditation, the courses need to qualify against a stringent set of accreditation and SMSF quality dimensions developed by a SPAA National Task Force consisting of leading industry experts.
“These standards set a high benchmark for this new industry in the quality of training for professionals operating in this area,” she says.
“What we are seeking to do in setting these standards is to raise the overall education of the advisor and the quality of advice to consumers,” Slattery says.
She says professionals giving advice on self-managed super funds can qualify for a specialist SPAA designation by completing an accredited course in conjunction with their demonstrated industry experience and knowledge.
“We believe that a specialist SPAA designation will positively differentiate these advisors from others in the marketplace and over a period of time, will come to be seen as being the necessary designation to be advisors of choice,” Slattery says.
AUTHOR
Mike Taylor
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