SCC AA charter

This charter forms the governance plan for this forum and clearly identifies its purpose, roles and responsibilities

Chair:	Stuart Forsyth, Assistant Commissioner, Self-managed super fund segment
Secretariat:	Indira Wrigley, Industry Liaison, Superannuation
Relevant approver:	Neil Olesen, Deputy Commissioner, Superannuation
Sub-plan:	Compliance

Purpose

Terms of reference

The Australian Taxation Office (Tax Office) recognises the important role that self-managed superannuation fund auditors play in the administration of the Australian superannuation system. In recognition of this role, the Tax Office has established the Superannuation Consultative Committee Self-managed Superannuation Fund Auditors Working Group.

The Superannuation Consultative Committee Self-managed Superannuation Fund Auditors Working Group is a sub-committee of the Superannuation Consultative Committee (SCC). Issues may be referred from the SCC to the working group for consideration and also issues may be escalated to the SCC from the working group. The focus of the working group is more operational as opposed to the broad strategic focus of the SCC.

The forum provides an opportunity for a candid exchange of views and for all parties to gain an understanding of their respective situations. This understanding will provide a sound basis for the forum to identify, discuss and work collaboratively to develop solutions to issues relevant to compliance of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) and the role auditors play in assuring and auditing that compliance.

Within its scope, the working group will:

• focus on collaborative approaches to making it easier for SMSF auditors to comply, in the framework of mutual goals
• identify systemic issues in both Tax Office and SMSF auditor practices that need to be resolved, and help develop strategies to resolve them
• share information about the future design of the administration of the tax system, to maximise consultation and collaboration on the implementation of the design
• identify ways to minimise the cost of compliance
• develop strategies to address compliance risks
• understand communication and education needs for the sector
• seek feedback on the Tax Office's service delivery and performance
• understand broad trends in the sector and implications for the tax system
• identify opportunities for co-design of the administration of the tax system and help enable co-design, and
• communicate its work widely to SMSF auditors and to Tax Office staff to foster a shared understanding of purpose.

Members are able to raise issues and provide feedback on the matters that are within the ambit of the group. The Tax Office will consider the feedback for possible implementation, depending on the limitations for enhancements to Tax Office systems.

Type of forum and length of term

This working group is an administrative advisory group and reports to the Superannuation Consultative Committee (SCC).

Length of term: Subject to an annual review, this working group is an ongoing administrative forum.

Governance and relationship

The forum approver is Second Commissioner Compliance.

Justification for establishment

This working group was established to facilitate consultation, collaboration and co-design in the administration of superannuation, specifically in relation to issues relevant to self-managed superannuation fund auditing. This forum provides the opportunity to focus on operational issues which are not relevant to the broader Superannuation Consultative Committee membership.

This working group was established in April 2009 and held its first meeting (by telephone) on 6 May 2009. The forum meets twice a year and runs workshops on particular topics as the need arises.