new chapters in Tasmania and the Northern. Territory, and sub-chapters in
southern. NSW and Queensland's Darling Downs. The decision to introduce two
new ...
CEO LETTER Celebrating our 10th anniversary always meant 2013 was going to be a momentous year for SPAA. The events, starting with the national conference in February and followed by the various chapter and sub-chapter events during the year, have proved to be an exciting and fulfilling experience for the Board, Executive, and most importantly, our Members. It is a year that will live in all our memories. But we will remember 2013 for far more than just our 10th anniversary, important as that has been. It has been a year when SPAA has continued taking giant steps in the role we play in influencing government and industry policy, growing our educational offering to members, and expanding services to an increasing membership. What we have achieved in all these areas has reinforced our position as the pre-eminent organisation in the self managed super fund space. As I look back on 2013, I see the rewards we continue to reap for our advocacy work for the SMSF sector. In particular, two dates stand out – April 5 and September 26. On the former the then Minister for Superannuation Bill Shorten announced a comprehensive statement on superannuation, in the process ending months of media speculation about changes to superannuation and acknowledging SPAA’s importance in that process publicly. In particular, the tax benefits that superannuation rightly enjoys to underpin the country’s preferred retirement savings vehicle were believed to be at risk.
SPAA kept its peace - publicly. Behind the scenes we lobbied long and hard with the government and its advisors against making fundamental changes to superannuation, and the April 5 statement, which largely reaffirmed the existing superannuation architecture, were testimony to our efforts On September 26, Prime Minister Tony Abbott reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to “no adverse changes” to superannuation in the first term of office. In wake of several reports and media comment by various regulators linking SMSFs to the more speculative end of investment markets (particularly property) – comments SPAA publicly disputed – it was reassuring to hear the Prime Minister offer this critical reassurance to our industry. (cont’d)
These are not the only issues where our involvement has been critical. SPAA has always advocated that superannuation should enjoy bipartisan support, and both sides of government have indicated this support. Earlier this year the Government invited me to be part of an official delegation to China to look at financial services in the world’s most populous country; it was an eye-opening experience, revealing as it did the many opportunities for our professional services sector in the Middle Kingdom. The Government’s important decision to recognise our auditor accreditation program (SSAud) as the only approved audit qualification was welcomed by SPAA. This is part of our plan to build the profession of SMSF Auditor. Educational services for members are part of our DNA; our conferences, national and technical, webinars, master classes, state chapter events, monthly technical bulletins, the members’ daily news bulletins and tutorials are testimony to the emphasis we place on it. Over this year SPAA provided more than a dozen activities focussed on providing members with the compliance requirements for both the removal of the accountants’ exemption and the SMSF auditor registration requirement. We also provided more than 200 opportunities for members to keep their currency of knowledge up-to-date via state chapter events or SPAA head office events, including the national conference. In addition, we offered a number of avenues for members to personally improve their skills before undertaking either the SSA or SSAud programs.
Our members are enjoying the benefits of these programs as more trustees demand SPAA specialists. In terms of the organisation, we welcomed new chapters in Tasmania and the Northern Territory, and sub-chapters in southern NSW and Queensland’s Darling Downs. The decision to introduce two new categories of membership – affiliate and student – is being well received. “Our Eyes on Super” campaign, which addresses significant superannuation issues in a whimsical way on our website, and an increased focus on social media, which goes hand in glove with our traditional media activity, have been two other initiatives we have undertaken for members. I strongly believe we can look back on 2013 and collectively pat ourselves on the back. A 10th anniversary year has been celebrated in grand style and much has been achieved on the policy, organisational and educational fronts. I am looking forward to 2014 which will be an exciting year of opportunity where SPAA’s voice to government, sector leadership and our members, who continue to turn knowledge into practice, will continue to grow their business to support the integrity of our profession.
Andrea Slattery CEO, SPAA
Membership is our lifeblood (see statistics graphs on back page) • 2,776 Members with 1454 Specialists • A retention rate of 87% • 862 Members have been members for more than 5 years and 110 for 10 years
Advocacy for our sector • Over the past 12 months SPAA has attended or participated in –– 205 Government , Regulatory & Committee meetings –– Over 120 advocacy meetings with industry leaders • Lodged 34 Submissions and Recommendations to Government and Regulators
State and Regional Chapters supporting professional standards for SMSFs • 8 State Chapters plus the introduction of Tasmania Chapter in September 2013 • 12 Regional Chapters • The Chapters & Sub-Chapters have hosted more than 95 events
Education to raise standards • 19 SPAA Accredited Registered Education providers held 35 active and passive accredited training programs • Introduced tutorials for SSA and SSAud candidates • Introduced our SPAA “Pathways Program”
Research to understand and share insights • 2013 SPAA/Russell Investment Intimate with Self Managed Superannuation report • 2013 SPAA/Macquarie SMSF Active management report • 2012 SPAA Member satisfaction research report • 2012 SPAA/Vanguard Financial Needs & Concerns of SMSF Members report
Events providing professional development and networking • Hosted 138 events in city and regional areas • Roadshows in Darwin, Hobart and Townsville • Successful introduction of webinars and master classes to complement live events • 2013 National Conference - 1440 attendees
Communications • The recognition accorded to SPAA as the foremost advocate of the SMSF sector is highlighted by the extensive media coverage. • SPAA has continued to forge strong relationships with the media to give a public voice to our views, whether they relate to technical, educational or government policy issues. • Successful incorporation of Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook Pages. • In the past 12 months SPAA has issued over 53 press releases, has given more than 400 interviews, including radio and television broadcasts, and has appeared in more than 730 articles, many of which are opinion pieces where SPAA has been specifically asked to provide thought leadership.
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