SPAA and IPA sign collaborative agreement


The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and the SMSF Professionals' Association (SPAA) have signed a collaborative agreement to work jointly in areas including accreditation, advocacy, research, policy development, organisational efficiencies and education.
The agreement is also designed to bolster efforts to provide training and support to practitioners interested in advising the SMSF sector.
It is the first time two professional organisations have bridged the public accountancy and SMSF sectors.
IPA chief executive, Andrew Conway said it would create a voice for public accountants who provided advice and services to the SMSF sector.
"Working together to advance the interests of members is what professionals seek from their professional body," he said.
"We have a great deal of respect for the creation of a profession in SMSF advice as well as the work that SPAA does in support of the SMSF sector and we believe this agreement will provide an even stronger voice and enhanced member services."
Conway said the agreement was a good fit with IPA's strategic priorities.
SPAA chief executive, Andrea Slattery said SPAA provided a complimentary service for all professionals wanting to advise on SMSFs and encouraged highly competent specialist advice within the SMSF and superannuation space.
The collaborative agreement has come at a significant time of change within the planning industry with the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) regime and the accountants licensing regime which comes into play on 1 July.
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