The SMSF Association has collaborated with the University of Adelaide to launch an SMSF qualification offering SMSF specialists a graduate certificate in SMSFs and RG 146.

According to SMSFA, the qualification begins in July but is open for enrolment now, and will offer four courses including SMSF Best Practice, Understanding SMSF Trustees, SMSF Strategic Advice and SMSF Advanced Technical.

Each course will be predominantly done online although there will be an option for a face-to-face session, the association said.

“The minimum study period to earn the certificate, which can be submitted to the Association for CPD points, is two years part-time,” said SMSFA.

University of Adelaide international centre of financial services David White said the initiative reflects the numbers of specialist advisors in the SMSF sector and their need to continually uprade their skills.

“We recognised there has been a gap in the market to offer SMSF specialists a graduate-level program, and we're excited to be collaborating with the association to offer the program,” said Mr White.

SMSF Association head of education Liz Ward said the qualification has the SMSF Association designations embedded into the program, enabling students to attain not only an academic qualification but also the Association’s industry designations, including SMSF Specialist Advisor and SMSF Specialist Auditor.

“By leading the design in the SMSF education framework, it not only supports our members to enhance their professionalism, but helps lift the standards across the SMSF sector,” she said.