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SMSF accountants Melbourne
SMSF specialists for Melbourne’s prudent planners
Liston Newton Advisory is rated from 32 reviews
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Maximise your self-managed super fund returns
For those who aren’t satisfied with the returns of retail funds and don’t want to retire on just bank accounts, a self-managed super fund (SMSF) can be an exciting solution. Self-managed super funds allow you to choose and structure your investments to maximise returns. But opportunity comes with risk, and navigating complex SMSF rules and regulations can be a nuanced challenge. But not for us.
Liston Newton is a highly lauded and well-awarded name in the SMSF industry. Our city-based specialists can help you set up and manage your own SMSF the way you want it. Our personalised approach will help you meet your financial goals.
Why don’t we discuss this over a coffee? Come in for a consultation at our Queen Street office in the Melbourne CBD. Or, let us know if you’d prefer a virtual meeting, and we’ll set one up.
Business hours
Monday to Friday
8am to 5pm
Parking
Street parking on Queen St and Flinders Ln. Secure Parking at 367 Collins Street.
SMSF accounting services available in Melbourne
As a full-service financial specialist, we can offer far more than just superannuation review. Our advisors can tackle any challenge, from business restructuring to tax management to investment decisions.
Liston Newton helped us move our accounting over to Xero. Their accountant managed the set-up and training so we felt comfortable with the software. We now have all our processes streamlined which gives us improved visibility of our business performance. This has allowed us to open two more stores without a significant increase in administration efforts.
Peter Luskan
Pandora
Secure your self-managed superannuation fund with Melbourne’s experts
Talk to usDesign a self-managed super fund to meet your goals
In a word, the primary advantage of self-managed super funds is ‘control’. That could mean control over the actual structure and investments of the fund; you may want to focus on maximising growth or selecting ethical investment opportunities. But control could also mean financial freedom; you ought to be able to retire with enough capital to fund the lifestyle you want without compromise.
Your award-winning Liston Newton SMSF accountant can help you to finance a safe, secure and comfortable retirement.
SMSF accountant responsibilities
- Stay compliant
- Manage and track investments
- Minimise fees
- Understand legislation
Learn more about your business with our comprehensive guides
At Liston Newton Advisory, we take pride in helping business owners get more out of their hard work. Our downloadable guides can give you an in-depth look at strategies and technologies that will help your business grow.
- Discover tax strategies and business structures available to you
- Understand and apply new business management technology
- Get in touch with us for information tailored to your business
Meet the Melbourne team
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Nearly half a century of proven SMSF expertise
Liston Newton’s accredited team have earned laurels and recognition from nationally and internationally recognised organisations.
Australia’s most experienced and professional accountants — with industry leading qualifications and accreditations to show for it. Learn more from a specialised business accountant.
Why choose us
A wealth of experience
We have decades of expertise navigating SMSFs and guiding our clients towards financial success.
Long-term client partnerships
We adapt our strategies to suit every life stage, so your needs are always prioritised.
Full range of services
Our advisory services extend to every facet of your financial life.
Leading industry innovation
We utilise the latest technologies to create high-ROI self-managed superannuation funds.
Provably providing a secure path to your greatest ambitions
We’ve found that what most of our clients want from us is security. Whatever their present-day business and personal goals, they ultimately want to know that when retirement comes, they’ll have the financial security to live as they like — and maybe even open a franchise of the Bank of Mum & Dad.
A self-managed super fund is a bit of a contradiction; you’re choosing to take a risk for the sake of a greater reward. Our Melbourne CBD office has become a hub for high-wealth individuals from across the state to seek advice on mitigating that risk and extending their reward. We’ve helped them secure long-term financial security by:
- Work with our Melbourne wealth management experts to design high-ROI SMSF investment strategies.
- Explore tax-effective investment opportunities with your dedicated financial advisor in Melbourne.
- Ensure absolute compliance with the ever-updating SMSF regulations to safeguard your future.
As our client case studies and testimonials will attest, our methodology delivers exceptional results. Our SMSF strategies are no different; we have the SMSF advisory awards to prove it.
Our methodology
Our holistic methodology for financial freedom
How we get you set
The first phase is all about establishing the fundamentals of your business and creating a strong foundation to build from. You also need to establish your long-term goals so you have a clear idea of what you're working towards.
- Plan your goals
- Structure your business and assets
- Online accounting
- People and HR
- Protect your business and personal risk
- Business and personal will
How we get you moving
The second phase is about gaining a deeper understanding of your business; how to make it more efficient and experience sustainable growth. This is where you transition from working in your business to working on your business.
- Understand your numbers
- Delegate bookkeeping
- Systematise and automate tasks
- Minimise tax
- Forecast cashflow and capital needs
- Quarterly coaching and accountability
How we get you free
The final phase is when all your hard work really starts to pay off. This is when you start using your profits to build your personal worth to a point that give you financial freedom—the freedom to work only if you want to.
- Understand wealth creation
- Investment portfolio
- Investment property
- Superannuation
- Succession and exit planning
- Your legacy
Our Melbourne case studies
Chris & Leanne Roberts
After engaging Liston Newton's services, Chris & Leanne Roberts were able to purchase the B&B of their dreams by utilising their savings in the most tax-effective way.
Read about it
We take community service seriously
It’s easy to zone out when businesses discuss corporate social responsibility. For many, it’s just a marketing opportunity. Not for us. Our Melbourne CBD team have selected a set of charities close to their hearts, and have used their business and financial expertise to serve those initiatives as best they can.
- The Cancer Council’s Small Business Advisory Service
- The Type 1 Foundation for diabetes education and prevention
- Several community sports teams in Wantirna, Richmond and St Kilda
And that’s just one of our offices. We have several teams scattered around Australia (actually, we’ve got another local team of SMSF accountants in South Melbourne), and each one serves a unique set of local charities and initiatives.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Can a Melbourne-based SMSF accountant help navigate ATO scrutiny?
Yes, local SMSF accountants are well-equipped to support clients through ATO reviews, especially given Melbourne’s high concentration of self-managed super funds.
An experienced SMSF accountant in Melbourne will know how to:
- Identify common ATO red flags specific to local investment structures
- Help prepare thorough documentation ahead of audits
- Liaise with the ATO to resolve compliance concerns on your behalf
With the ATO increasing its focus on SMSF compliance, particularly in capital cities, choosing a Melbourne-based advisor gives you relevant, up-to-date support grounded in local precedent.
How can Melbourne SMSF accountants assist with limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs)?
LRBAs are a popular strategy for property acquisition through SMSFs, and Melbourne accountants are highly familiar with their structure.
A qualified local SMSF accountant can:
- Help structure your LRBA to comply with SIS Act requirements
- Collaborate with lenders offering SMSF-specific products in Melbourne
- Monitor repayments and fund performance over time
Because property investment through SMSFs is common in Melbourne, local accountants often have close relationships with SMSF-friendly banks and brokers.
Are there local restrictions on SMSFs investing in Melbourne commercial property?
There are no location-specific laws that restrict SMSFs from investing in Melbourne commercial property, but local market conditions can influence strategy.
Melbourne-based SMSF accountants can help evaluate:
- Vacancy rates in targeted areas (e.g. inner-north, bayside)
- Property value trends based on your investment timeline
- SMSF compliance when leasing to related parties
Many SMSF investors in Melbourne pursue commercial property due to its potential for rental yield and long-term appreciation, but proper structuring is essential to avoid compliance breaches.
What role does an SMSF accountant play when members relocate from Melbourne?
If you or other fund members move interstate or overseas, your Melbourne SMSF accountant can help manage the impact on residency requirements and compliance.
While an SMSF can remain valid with non-resident members, strict rules apply. Your accountant will assess:
- Whether the fund still meets central management and control tests
- Impacts on contribution limits or tax residency
- Any ATO notifications or changes to trustee structure
Melbourne SMSF accountants familiar with cross-border considerations can help protect your fund’s complying status.
Do Melbourne SMSF accountants help with estate planning inside the fund?
Yes. Estate planning is a critical but often overlooked aspect of SMSF management, and Melbourne accountants with SMSF expertise are well-versed in this area.
They can support:
- Binding death benefit nominations that comply with SIS regulations
- Tax-effective distribution of SMSF assets to beneficiaries
- Integration of SMSF planning into broader estate plans
Given the number of intergenerational wealth transfers occurring in Melbourne’s eastern and bayside suburbs, local SMSF accountants are increasingly focused on succession.
How do SMSF accountants in Melbourne charge for their services?
Pricing varies, but most Melbourne SMSF accountants offer fixed annual packages or tiered fees based on fund complexity.
You can generally expect:
- A fixed yearly compliance and admin fee
- Hourly or project-based charges for strategic advice or tax planning
- Optional add-ons like audit coordination or property acquisition support
Reputable Melbourne firms will outline all costs upfront, helping you understand the value behind each service tier.
Guides, blogs, news and resources
Tech is a tool, not a magic lamp
‘Artificial intelligence’ seems poised to revolutionise how we live and work. Every day, AI tools find new ways to shock and awe us with their capabilities. But, as with the emergence of every epoch-defining technology, there is a strong stink of hype in the air. Businesses who do not understand the technology, including SMSF accountants, are quite ready to turn it into the very core of their business. Not us.
Liston Newton believes in using technology, including AI, to optimise and streamline our processes. But it is a tool to be used by experienced specialists, not a magic lamp with which to wish up quick-fix solutions. We will always offer you strategies conceived of, researched and approved by accredited specialist accountants.
