SMSF ACCOUNTANT AND COMPLIANCE
SERVICES

Your SMSF has a compliance calendar that never stops. Most accountants are not keeping up with it.

SMSF compliance is not a once-a-year task. Annual returns, audit coordination, TBAR lodgements, pension minimums, investment strategy reviews - each has its own deadline and its own consequence if missed. FYW manages the full SMSF compliance calendar so nothing falls through.

Check My Compliance

No commitment,
Free initial consultation with a senior adviser.

10+

Years working with Australian founder-led businesses

Xero Platinum Champion Partner

Registered BAS Agent

CPA Australia Member

“You speak with someone who actually understands your business, not whoever happens to be available.“

WHY THIS MATTERS

SMSF compliance has more moving parts than most trustees realise, and most general accountants are not across all of them.

01

The compliance calendar does not pause

SMSF trustees have obligations that run across the entire financial year, not just at tax time. Annual financial statements. Independent audit coordination. SMSF annual return lodgement. TBAR reporting for any pension events. Minimum pension payments by 30 June. Each has a deadline. Each has a consequence if missed.

02

A general accountant is not an SMSF specialist

SMSF compliance is specialist work. Audit coordination, TBAR lodgements, pension commencement documentation, actuarial certificates where required - these are not standard general accounting tasks. A general practice that also handles a few SMSFs is not the same as a firm where SMSF compliance is a core service.

03

The stakes of getting it wrong

A non-complying SMSF loses its concessional tax treatment - fund income taxed at 45% rather than 15%. Trustees can be disqualified. Administrative penalties apply per trustee for specific breaches. The ATO has intensified compliance action on overdue annual returns and audit failures. Late lodgement is not a minor issue.

WHAT IS COVERED

Everything included in a FYW SMSF engagement.

  • SMSF Setup - Trust deed, ABN, TFN registration
  • Corporate Trustee Setup
  • Trustee Declaration assistance
  • Investment Strategy documentation
  • Electronic Service Address (ESA) setup
  • Member contribution records
FYW manages SMSF setup from establishment through to trust deed preparation and ATO registration. The fund structure is established correctly from the start, compliant with superannuation law, trustees appointed, bank accounts opened, investment strategy documented. If you are transitioning from a retail or industry fund, FYW coordinates the rollover process.
  • Annual Financial Statements
  • SMSF Annual Return (SAR) lodgement
  • Independent Audit Coordination
  • TBAR Lodgements - quarterly where required
  • Member Statements
  • Supervisory Levy coordination
  • Investment Strategy annual review
  • ATO correspondence management
FYW prepares your SMSF annual return and financial statements, coordinates the independent audit, and lodges the return with the ATO. Transfer balance account reporting (TBAR) is lodged when required, pension commencements, commutations, and death benefit payments are reported to the ATO within the legislated timeframes. The compliance calendar is managed on your behalf. You are informed when lodgements are completed.
  • Pension Setup - retirement phase income stream commencement
  • Actuarial Certificate coordination (where required)
  • Pension Commutation documentation
  • Winding Up SMSF - final return, asset distribution, fund closure
When you transition to pension phase, FYW manages the setup, account-based pensions commenced, minimum pension calculations tracked, pension payments processed correctly. If you need to wind up the fund, whether due to death, relationship breakdown, or a decision to move back to a retail fund, FYW manages the wind-up process, the final audit, and the ATO deregistration.
The scope of each engagement depends on the stage of your fund - whether it is being established, in accumulation phase, transitioning to pension, or being wound up. Confirmed in the discovery call. .
See the Timeline

THE FYW APPROACH

SMSF compliance managed across the full year, not just at lodgement time.

Specialist work. One named advisor. Nothing missed.

FULL YEAR COMPLIANCE
Every deadline tracked. Every obligation met.

The SMSF annual return is one obligation among many. FYW manages the full compliance calendar - audit coordination ahead of the lodgement deadline, TBAR events reported within the required window, pension minimums confirmed before 30 June. The deadline does not arrive as a surprise.

SPECIALIST NOT GENERALIST
SMSF compliance is not general accounting.

Audit coordination requires engaging an ASIC-registered independent auditor - separate from the SMSF accountant. TBAR lodgements require understanding which events trigger reporting and which do not. Pension commencement documentation requires precision. FYW handles these as core services, not as occasional tasks.

CONNECTED TO YOUR TAX
Your SMSF and your business tax - coordinated.

For founders who are both business owners and SMSF trustees, the two sets of obligations interact. Contribution timing, trust distributions, year-end tax position - FYW manages both the SMSF compliance and the business tax, so decisions made in one do not create problems in the other.

HOW THIS WORKS

What SMSF compliance with FYW looks like across the year.

Every deadline managed. No surprises.

SMSF compliance runs on a calendar, not just an annual return. FYW manages the full sequence: financial statements prepared, auditor engaged ahead of the lodgement deadline, annual return lodged on time, TBAR events reported within the required window. For funds in pension phase, minimum payments are confirmed before 30 June. Nothing is left to the last minute.
STEP 1
Financial statements and audit coordination.

Each year, FYW prepares the SMSF financial statements - income statement, balance sheet, and member statements. Assets are valued at market value as at 30 June, as required by the ATO. Where property, unlisted shares, or other non-standard assets are held, FYW confirms appropriate valuation evidence is in place. Once financial statements are complete, FYW coordinates the independent audit with an ASIC-registered SMSF auditor. The audit must be completed before the annual return is lodged - FYW manages this sequence so there is no last-minute scramble.

STEP 2
Annual return lodgement and TBAR.

FYW lodges the SMSF annual return - covering income tax, regulatory information, and member contribution reporting - within the ATO's required timeframe. For funds lodging via a registered tax agent, the standard deadline is 15 May. For newly registered funds, the deadline is 28 February of the following financial year. FYW tracks which deadline applies to each fund. TBAR - Transfer Balance Account Report - is required when a reportable event occurs, such as commencing a pension, commuting a pension, or certain other events that affect a member's transfer balance cap. Since 1 July 2023, all SMSFs report quarterly - events must be lodged within 28 days of the end of the quarter in which they occurred. FYW identifies which events require reporting and lodges accordingly.

STEP 3
Pension phase, wind up, and the full lifecycle.

When a member moves into the retirement phase, pension setup requires formal documentation - a retirement phase income stream must be commenced correctly, and the commencement reported via TBAR. Minimum pension payments must be made before 30 June each year the pension is in place. Where both accumulation and pension phase members exist in the same fund, an actuarial certificate may be required. When the time comes to wind up the SMSF, FYW manages the process - confirming how benefits are to be dealt with, coordinating asset transfers or sales, lodging the final annual return, and formally closing the fund with the ATO.

The compliance obligations that apply to your fund depend on its stage - accumulation, pension phase, or wind-up - and what events occurred during the year. Confirmed in the discovery call.
WHAT CHANGES
What SMSF compliance looks like when it is properly managed.

Every deadline met, without chasing

The SMSF annual return is lodged on time. The audit is coordinated ahead of the deadline. TBAR events are reported within the required window. Pension minimums are confirmed before 30 June. The trustee does not need to track any of this - FYW does.

An auditor who is independent and ASIC-registered

The ATO requires SMSF audits to be conducted by an auditor who is registered with ASIC and independent from the fund's accountant. FYW coordinates the audit with an appropriate registered auditor - the trustee does not need to find or manage this relationship.

TBAR lodged correctly, no transfer balance cap issues

Incorrect or late TBAR reporting can trigger ATO notices and affect a member's transfer balance cap position. FYW identifies which events require reporting and lodges within the required window - so the member's cap position is accurately reflected at all times.

Business tax and SMSF, coordinated

Contribution timing, year-end tax position, trust distributions - when FYW manages both the SMSF compliance and the business tax, decisions in one area do not create problems in the other. One firm. Full picture.

Team

Freedom
Your Way

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Working with founder-led businesses across Australia

FREE RESOURCES

Know exactly what your SMSF needs to do, and when.

Download the FYW SMSF Annual Compliance Checklist. A practical guide for trustees who want to understand every obligation, every deadline, and the correct sequence, so nothing is missed and nothing arrives as a surprise.

What's included

  • Identify where your cash is going and why
  • See which parts of your business are working and which are not
  • Know what to ask your accountant and whether they have the right answers
CLIENT RESULTS

What this looks like for real businesses.

Three businesses stayed ahead of their tax position. Yours could be next.

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"Having a proactive, trustworthy team behind our finances has given us total confidence, reduced our stress, and allowed us to focus on scaling our operations."

  • Expanded FYW services across multiple business entities as needs grew
  • Consistent support and dedication maintained through firm's own growth and evolution
  • Enabled confident scaling without financial anxiety
Elisia Florio Operations & Finance Manager
Multi-Entity Business 10+ Years Partnership

"The professionalism, expertise and ongoing support provided by Maria and Freedom Your Way have made managing my business finances far more efficient and stress-free."

  • Xero and Dext implementation streamlined BAS and tax returns to minimal monthly process
  • Clear, practical explanations enable informed decision-making
  • Responsive support — questions answered promptly with actionable guidance
Judy Business Owner
Designer Tan Creative Services small business

"They are proactive and genuinely care about our business. I know we are in good hands with them."

  • Expert, knowledgeable team across full range of services
  • Expedient and thorough- delivers on commitment
  • Creates peace of mind through genuine care and accountability
Debbie P. Founder
Where Pigs Fly Farm Sanctuary agricultural/not-for-profit

"When they are around you know you are in safe hands — it's a pleasure working with FTA because they are detailed, focussed, intelligent and driven."

  • Partnership from start-up through business growth
  • Detailed, intelligent approach that prioritises business protection Creates
  • confidence through proactive presence and engagement
Kevin C Business Owner
Lions National Projects Pty Ltd construction / projects

"Maria proved to be a gem! The process was seamless, and she managed to help me get a far better outcome than I would have - and get everything done on time."

  • Solved complex tax problem quickly despite interstate operating model
  • Seamless process - minimal friction despite distance
  • Expert outcome delivered — turned crisis into opportunity
Carolyn P Business Owner
CTP Consulting Consulting consulting, interstate

"I can't ever see myself wanting to work with another accountant. She's your go-to, worry-free, experienced teammate that you can count on."

  • Navigated complex personal and business tax landscape over many years
  • Exceptional qualification combined with genuine care for client outcomes
  • Reliable, trustworthy partnership that eliminates financial anxiety
Marc A Business Owner
Personal & Complex Business Taxes Multi-Service / Advisory
THE TEAM

Senior advisors who know your business. A team that makes sure nothing falls through.

Every FYW client has a named senior advisor — one person who is accountable for your engagement, knows your compliance calendar, and flags issues before they become problems. That advisor does not work alone.

Maria Andreeva

Founder
in

CPA · Registered Tax Agent · Registered BAS Agent · Xero Platinum Champion Partner 16+ Years Experience

Darren Xerri

Chief Operations Officer
in

Business Coach MBA, Wize Certified Business Coach

Bec Irvine

Senior Client Manager
in

5 years experience in this role, 21 years experience in the Tax world pre the 5 years Bachelor of Commerce, BAS agent

Adam Ogues

Senior Client Manager
in

CPA, NTAA. Bachelor of Business & Commerce 25 years experience Taxation and Business Advisory

COMMON QUESTIONSQuestions SMSF trustees ask most often.

Technically, trustees can prepare their own SMSF financial statements and lodge the annual return themselves - but the annual return must still be lodged, an independent audit must still be arranged, and TBAR events must still be reported within the required timeframe. Most trustees engage a registered tax agent because the lodgement deadlines and audit coordination are complex, and the consequences of getting it wrong are significant. A registered agent also receives extended lodgement deadlines that self-preparers do not.

The deadline depends on your fund's situation. Newly registered SMSFs must lodge by 28 February of the following financial year. Most existing SMSFs lodging via a registered tax agent have a 15 May deadline. Funds with overdue returns from prior years or those lodging without a tax agent have a 31 October deadline. FYW tracks the specific deadline that applies to each fund - it is not the same for every trustee. ATO lodgement dates

Every SMSF must be audited each year by an independent auditor who is registered with ASIC. The auditor is separate from the fund's accountant - they cannot be the same person or firm. The audit must be completed before the annual return is lodged. The auditor assesses whether the fund has complied with superannuation law and reports any contraventions to the ATO. FYW coordinates the audit with an appropriate registered auditor as part of the annual compliance engagement.

TBAR- Transfer Balance Account Report - is how the ATO tracks how much of a member's superannuation has moved into the tax-free retirement phase. A TBAR must be lodged when a reportable event occurs - commencing a pension, commuting a pension, or certain other events that affect the member's transfer balance cap. Since 1 July 2023, all SMSFs report quarterly - events must be lodged within 28 days of the end of the quarter in which they occurred. If no reportable event occurred in a quarter, no TBAR is required. FYW identifies which events trigger reporting and lodges accordingly.

Yes. Winding up an SMSF involves confirming how member benefits are to be dealt with, coordinating asset sales or transfers, ensuring minimum pension payments are made where applicable, lodging any required TBAR events for pension commutations, and lodging the final annual return. FYW manages the full process - from the decision to wind up through to formal closure with the ATO.

The most common issue is a general accounting firm that manages an SMSF as a side service - the annual return gets lodged, but TBAR obligations, audit coordination, pension documentation, and investment strategy reviews may not be getting the attention they need. The FYW SMSF Annual Compliance Checklist is a practical starting point - it outlines every obligation your fund should be meeting each year. If you want a second opinion on your current compliance position, the discovery call is a good place to start.

RELATED READING
Useful reading for SMSF trustees.

TAX & COMPLIANCE

What Does a BAS Agent Actually Do - And Why It Matters for Your Business

Understanding who handles what in your compliance obligations - and why the distinction between a tax agent and a BAS agent matters.

Read article

TAX & COMPLIANCE

EOFY Tax Planning for Growing Businesses

SMSF contribution timing, trust distributions, and tax position - the decisions that affect your SMSF and your business tax need to be made before 30 June, not after.

Read article

TAX & COMPLIANCE

Tax Accounting and Planning for Australian Businesses

How FYW manages business tax compliance and planning - and how this connects to your SMSF obligations when both are managed by the same firm.

Read article

READY TO START

Find out whether your SMSF compliance is being properly managed.

Book a 30-minute discovery call. FYW will review your current SMSF compliance position, identify any gaps, and tell you exactly what a properly managed SMSF engagement looks like. No obligation.

Review My Position

No commitment,
Free initial consultation with a senior adviser.

SMSF accountant and compliance services in Australia

Freedom Your Way provides SMSF accountant services for trustees across Australia - annual financial statements, SMSF annual return lodgement, independent audit coordination, TBAR lodgements, and pension setup. FYW manages the full SMSF compliance calendar so trustees are not tracking deadlines themselves or relying on a general accountant who handles SMSFs as a side service. As a registered tax agent, FYW lodges SMSF annual returns within the extended agent deadline - 15 May for most existing funds - rather than the 28 February or 31 October deadlines that apply to self-preparers and funds with overdue returns. For SMSF trustees who are also business owners, FYW manages both the SMSF compliance and the business tax in a coordinated engagement.

SMSF tax return and audit, what Australian trustees need to know

Every SMSF must lodge an annual return with the ATO each financial year - covering income tax, regulatory information, and member contribution reporting. Before the return is lodged, the fund must be audited by an independent auditor registered with ASIC. The audit and the annual return are two separate obligations - the audit must be completed first. For funds with pension phase members, TBAR - Transfer Balance Account Report - must be lodged when reportable events occur. Since 1 July 2023, all SMSFs are required to report quarterly - events must be lodged within 28 days of the end of the quarter in which they occurred. FYW coordinates both the SMSF audit and the annual return as part of the compliance engagement. ATO TBAR guidance

SMSF accountant Melbourne, Sydney, and across Australia

FYW provides SMSF accountant services for trustees in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and across Australia. Services include SMSF setup and administration, annual compliance, SMSF tax return lodgement, audit coordination, TBAR lodgements, pension setup, and winding up. For SMSF trustees who are also running a business, FYW's engagement covers both the SMSF compliance and the tax accounting - contribution timing, year-end tax position, and trust distributions coordinated across both engagements so decisions in one area do not create problems in the other. Business advisory support is also available.