This program is for SMSF professionals, including but not limited to; accountants, financial planners, lawyers and actuaries seeking recognition for their SMSF specific skills and knowledge.

Who can apply for Specialist Advisor Membership? Schedule of Fees How do I get accredited? What does the SSATM program consist of? Program Timeframes

Who can apply for Specialist Advisor Membership?

General Members of SPAA are eligible to apply for accreditation as a SMSF Specialist Advisor^TM Member.

SPAA recommends that General Members should meet the following criteria prior to entering the program.

• Have a minimum 2 years experience providing advice and/or services to the SMSF sector.
• SMSF related work activities must account for a minimum of 20% of your total workload.

Schedule of Fees

How do I get accredited?

To apply for SMSF Specialist AdvisorTM accreditation you will need to:

• Be a General Member of SPAA.
• Log on to the SPAA website and access:
  - SPAA Accreditation Program - SMSF Specialist AdvisorTM Rules and Conditions.
  - SPAA Standards of Professional Conduct for SMSF Specialist Advisor^TM
• Complete Agreement & Payment Form (see back page) and submit with payment to SPAA or join online at http://www.spaa.asn.au/.
• Within 24 hours of receipt of your application and payment SPAA will email you information about the Online Exam (including your electronic log-in and password) and the Professional History and Experience (PH&E) Evaluation form for your completion.
• You are required to achieve a score of 50% or greater for the online exam and 70% or greater on the PH&E evaluation. 
• Upon successful completion of both components you will receive an evaluation report and letter via email.

What does the SSA^TM Program consist of?

The SSA^TM Program consists of two components:

1. Examination
2. Professional History & Experience

1. SPAA Accreditation Exam

SPAA has developed the SPAA Online Exam Centre so you can enjoy the convenience of deciding when and where you sit your accreditation exam. You can complete the exam at any time of the day from any computer with internet access.

The Online Exam is 2 hours in duration and consists of 120 multiple choice questions.  No written answers are required.  Access to the exam is via your unique electronic log-in and password.   

In order to prepare for the Online Exam you will be given the following:

• SPAA Online Exam Centre Tutorial; and
• SMSF Specialist Advisor^TM Practise Exam.

You are permitted a maximum of two (2) attempts to pass the Online Exam.

2. Professional History & Experience

Assessment of your Professional History & Experience requires you to submit the completed PH&E Form with supporting documentation e.g. two written character references to SPAA for assessment. The time it takes to complete this part of the assessment depends on how easily you can finalise the required information.

Program Timeframes

You are required to successfully complete both components of the Program (Online Exam and PH&E) within two (2) months of entering the accreditation program.

If you fail to successfully complete the SPAA Specialist Accreditation Program within the required two (2) month timeframe you will incur an Extension Fee of $220 (GST incl). This fee grants you a maximum four (4) month extension.

Failure to successfully complete both components within six (6) months of entry in to the program will result in your application being terminated.  At this time you will forfeit all fees paid and results already earned. Should you wish to re-enter the Specialist Program in the future you will be subject to the same conditions as all new entrants, that is, you will be required to pay in full and successfully complete both components of the Program.

Special circumstances can be submitted for consideration by the SPAA Professional Standards Committee (PSC).

DOWNLOAD SPECIALIST ADVISOR BROCHURE 2010