Precision led Administration for Self-Managed Super Funds
Running a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) comes with one of the strictest compliance calendars in Australian financial regulation. Getting it right every year, without exception, is where we specialize.
We focus exclusively on what we do best:
- SMSF Setup & Corporate Registration
- SMSF Annual Accounting & Financial Statements
- SMSF Taxation & ATO Return Lodgement
- SMSF Bookkeeping & Transaction Reconciliation
- SMSF Ongoing Fund Administration
This focus is deliberate. By concentrating our technical expertise strictly in this lane, we bring a level of precision, reliability, and ATO compliance to your fund that generalist providers simply cannot match.
* (Note: Trust deeds and legal documentation are sourced directly through specialist legal deed providers.)
Why Compliance Belongs with a Registered Tax Specialist
Lodging an SMSF Annual Return (SAR) is the single most important compliance obligation, SMSF trustees face each year, required even when the fund has no tax payable for the period.
It is a task that demands accuracy, current knowledge of ATO legislation, and a properly registered Tax Agent behind it. Preparing and lodging returns, member statements, and regulatory compliance documents is formally recognized by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) as a tax agent service, and it’s the core of what we do, every day, for every client.
The Best of Both Worlds
For anything touching financial product advice, investment strategy, or superannuation rollover decisions—the kind of guidance that requires an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL)—we partner you with trusted, properly licensed financial advisers.
This means you get specialist-grade advice at every stage of your SMSF journey:
- Compliance Precision from Decipher Advisory as your dedicated Tax Agent.
- Strategic Financial Guidance from a qualified adviser working in the right lane, with the right licence, for that exact question.
You get the best of both worlds, rather than a single generalist provider trying to be everything to everyone.
Our Core SMSF Services
SMSF Setup & Administrative Formation
For trustees who have decided to establish an SMSF or have received licensed financial advice to do so, we execute the setup process smoothly:
- ASIC registration of a special-purpose Corporate Trustee company
- Procurement of custom SMSF Trust Deeds via specialist legal deed providers
- ATO registration for ABN, TFN, and Electronic Service Address (ESA)
- Administrative execution of rollover paperwork as directed by you
SMSF Annual Return Preparation & Lodgement
Every SMSF must lodge a self-managed super fund annual return each financial year—even where the fund has no tax payable. We manage the entire end-of-year tax and accounting lifecycle:
- Taxable income calculation and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discounting
- Member contribution cap tracking against ATO limits
- Tax calculation, ATO lodgement, and payment advice
- Preparation of annual Operating Statements and Balance Sheets
- Formal Tax Agent declaration process and trustee signing packages
Independent Audit Management
Every SMSF must undergo a mandatory annual audit by an independent ASIC-registered auditor. We assemble the complete compliance file, coordinate directly with the auditor, and address any technical queries on your behalf.
Understanding SMSF Accounting Costs
Every self-managed super fund must complete end-of-year financial statements, undergo a compulsory independent audit, and lodge an SMSF Annual Return (SAR) with the ATO.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all fee, your investment in SMSF administration is tailored directly to the operational complexity of your fund. A portfolio holding standard cash deposits and Australian listed shares requires a very different scope of technical work than a fund holding direct real estate or running complex borrowing arrangements.
At Decipher Advisory, we align our fees transparently against a clear complexity framework. You receive a fixed, upfront proposal based on your fund’s exact structure—so you always know what tier your fund sits in and why.
| Fund Complexity | Typically Applies To |
|---|---|
| Basic Funds | Standard cash accounts, term deposits, and straightforward Australian listed shares/ETFs. |
| Complex Funds | Direct commercial or residential investment properties, unlisted assets, foreign equities, or funds operating in pension phase. |
| Very Complex Funds | Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs/loans), multi-property holdings, overseas assets, or intricate family trust interactions. |
Note: Establishment fees for setting up a new corporate trustee and procuring legal trust deeds are quoted separately as a one-off setup fee.
What Your All-Inclusive Compliance Package Covers
Regardless of your fund’s complexity tier, our recurring compliance engagements encompass the complete administrative lifecycle:
- End-of-Year Financial Statements: Preparation of the Statement of Financial Position, Operating Statement, and individual Member Statements.
- Tax Calculation & CGT Discounting: Calculating taxable income, applying relevant Capital Gains Tax (CGT) concessions, and tracking member contribution caps.
- ATO Lodgement & Declarations: Electronic preparation and lodgement of the SMSF Annual Return (SAR), along with formal payment guidance and trustee declarations.
- Independent Audit Coordination: Complete preparation of the audit file and seamless liaison with an independent, ASIC-registered SMSF auditor.
Looking for an Exact Proposal?
Every SMSF is unique. Contact Decipher Advisory today for a complimentary fund review and a tailored, fixed-fee engagement proposal.
Additional Government & Statutory Costs to Factor In
To maintain complete transparency, all SMSF trustees should account for two external fees:
- ATO Supervisory Levy: annual fee, collected directly by the ATO when your SMSF Annual Return is lodged.
- Independent Auditor Fee: each financial year (we bundle this directly into our all-inclusive accounting packages so there are no surprise add-ons).
Our Commitment to You
We believe the best professional relationships are built on total clarity about who does what best. Our commitment is to be your trusted, long-term SMSF accounting and compliance partner—bringing precision, reliability, and up-to-date ATO expertise to every return we lodge.
Where your SMSF journey calls for financial product advice or investment strategy, we connect you with properly licensed financial advisers, so every part of your fund is guided by the right professional. It is a model built on genuine expertise in every corner of your SMSF, protecting your fund, your assets, and your tax position for the long haul.