Speaking at the SMSF Association National Conference in mid-February, ASIC deputy chair Peter Kell said the corporate regulator had a “very heavy focus on working through the limited licence applications”.

“I’m afraid to say that what we’ve predicted as a risk has actually played out in practice. We had a three-year transition period, but 40 per cent of the applications for limited licenses came in the last three or four weeks,’ Mr Kell said.

“Not surprisingly, it’s taking a bit of time for us to work through those but we are really going all out to work through those with the aim of completing them by the end of March.”

Mr Kell said at the time that ASIC had received a total of 1,181 applications, with 523 applications granted a licence.

He also said 320 applications were still being worked through and had been returned to the applicant due to incomplete information.

Licensing for Accountants chief executive Kath Bowler said the recent figures from last week suggest that there are around 140 limited licensing applications still to get through that are requiring further information.

Ms Bowler told SMSF Adviser previously that there was greater concern about licensing this year, particularly in the lead up to 30 June with the super reforms. 

“Now reality is hitting, because accountants know they need to give advice before 30 June,” said Ms Bowler. 

In the past, accountants could put off meetings with clients, particularly while the environment was still uncertain.

“Now [that we have] that certainty, the clients need the advice and so now accountants are realising they need a solution,” she said.