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[2018] AATA 1861
appellant. The Tribunal affirmed the decision of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to disqualify Ms Whittle from being an approved SMSF auditor under s 130F(2) of the Superannuation...
An experienced accountant and SMSF auditor was disqualified after it was found she had audited her brother's and de facto partner's superannuation funds over many years, breaching strict independence rules. Despite knowing the rules and even noting the relationships in her audit planning documents, she continued the audits, believing she was 'independent of mind'. The Tribunal found her explanations showed she didn't properly understand that independence rules are designed to ensure auditors remain objective, not to assess whether trustees are independent-minded. Given the breaches lasted 6-9 years and independence is fundamental to protecting superannuation savings, the Tribunal upheld her disqualification to deter other auditors from similar conduct.
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The Tribunal affirms the decision made on 29 August 2017 by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission which confirmed the decision made on 5 July 2017 that Ms Whittle be disqualified under s 130F(2) of the from being an approved Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) auditor with effect from 12 July 2017.
4 cited instruments linked from this judgment.
...............[sgd].........................................................
SUPERANNUATION - self-managed superannuation funds - approved SMSF auditor - Commissioner of Taxation referral to regulator - disqualification order issued by ASIC - failure to comply with auditor independence requirements - auditing of funds of immediate family and close family members - whether discretion should be exercised to disqualify applicant from being an approved SMSF or whether another decision should be made - decision affirmed
Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Amendment Regulation 2012 (No. 6)
Howarth and Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2008] AATA 278
McCormack and Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2016] AATA 1021
Re One.Tel Ltd (In liq); Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Rich [2003] NSWSC 186
Samuel and Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2016] AATA 696
Shi v Migration Agents Registration Authority [2008] HCA 31; (2008) 235 CLR 286
Yao v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2014) 140 ALD 21
Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board Ltd, APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, paras 2, 290.100, 290.104, 290.105
(1) The Regulator must grant an application under section 128A and register the applicant as an approved SMSF auditor if:
(a) the applicant:
(i) has the qualifications prescribed by the regulations; and
(ii) has the practical experience prescribed by the regulations; and
(iii) has passed a competency examination in accordance with section 128C; and
(b) the Regulator is satisfied that the applicant:
(i) is capable of performing the duties of an approved SMSF auditor; and
(ii) is unlikely to contravene the obligations of an approved SMSF auditor under Subdivision B; and
(iii) is otherwise a fit and proper person to be an approved SMSF auditor.
Discretion to register
(2) If the applicant does not meet one or more of the requirements of paragraph (1)(a), the Regulator may grant the application if the applicant meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(b).
Refusal to register
(3) If the applicant does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(b), the Regulator must refuse the application.
(1) The Regulator may, at any time, by giving written notice to a person:
(a) impose conditions, or additional conditions, on the person's registration as an approved SMSF auditor; or
(b) vary or revoke conditions imposed on the registration.
(2) The Regulator may do so:
(a) on its own initiative; or
(b) on application by the person if:
(i) the person is an approved SMSF auditor; and
(ii) the application is accompanied by any documents prescribed by the regulations.
(3) Without limiting the conditions that the Regulator may impose under this section, those conditions, or those conditions as varied, may require one or more of the following:
(a) that the person complete a course of education or training specified in the notice;
(b) that the person undertake and pass a competency examination within a period specified by the Regulator.
(a) Independence of mind - the state of mind that permits the expression of a conclusion without being affected by influences that compromise professional judgement, thereby allowing an individual to act with integrity, and exercise objectivity and professional scepticism.
(b) Independence in appearance - the avoidance of facts and circumstances that are so significant that a reasonable and informed third party would be likely to conclude, weighing all the specific facts and circumstances, that a Firm's, or a member of the Audit of Assurance Team's, integrity, objectivity or professional scepticism has been compromised.
Paragraphs 290.102 to 290.228 describe specific circumstances and relationships that create or may create threats to Independence. The paragraphs describe the potential threats and the types of safeguards that may be appropriate to eliminate the threats or reduce them to an Acceptable Level and identify certain situations where no safeguards could reduce the threats to an Acceptable Level. The paragraphs do not describe all of the circumstances and relationships that create or may create a threat to independence. ...
If a member of the Audit Team, a member of that individual's Immediate Family, or a Firm has a Direct Financial Interest or a material Indirect Financial Interest in the Audit Client, the self-interest threat created would be so significant that no safeguards could reduce the threat to an Acceptable Level. Therefore, none of the following shall have a Direct Financial Interest or a material Indirect Financial Interest in the client: a member of the Audit Team; a member of that individual's Immediate Family; or the Firm.
When a member of the Audit Team has a Close Family member who the Audit Team member knows has a Direct Financial Interest or a material Indirect Financial Interest in the Audit Client, a self-interest threat is created. The significance of the threat will depend on factors such as:
The significance of the threat shall be evaluated and safeguards applied when necessary to eliminate the threat or reduce it to an Acceptable Level. Examples of such safeguards include:
The Regulator may make a written order disqualifying a person from being an approved SMSF auditor, or suspending a person's registration as an approved SMSF auditor, if:
(a) the person has failed, whether within or outside Australia, to carry out or perform adequately and properly:
(i) the duties of an auditor under this Act or the regulations; or
(ii) any duties required by a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory to be carried out or performed by an auditor; or
...
Independence
Consider and identify any independence or ethical issues in accepting this appointment
The sole member is a very independently minded person who does not accept advice & operates the fund completely independently from me. As an officer of the Supreme Court he is a stickler for correctness.
The Trustee is independently minded & will not countenance advice from anyone especially me.
The independence rules are a key and fundamental component of the Australian superannuation framework and cannot be disregarded.[7]
I certify that the preceding 82 (eighty-two) paragraphs are a true copy of the reasons for the decision herein of Mrs J C Kelly, Senior Member
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Mr N Goodstone, Australian Securities and Investments Commission
[1] Superannuation Laws Amendment (Capital Gains Tax Relief and Other Efficiency Measures) Act 2012 and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Amendment Regulation 2012 (No. 6)
[2] Shi v Migration Agents Registration Authority [2008] HCA 31; (2008) 235 CLR 286 at [100]; Yao v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2014) 140 ALD 21 at [41].
[3] Howarth and Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2008] AATA 278 at [180].
[4] Re One.Tel Ltd (In liq); Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Rich [2003] NSWSC 186 per Bryson J.
(2008) 235 CLR 286
The Tribunal affirmed the decision of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to disqualify Ms Whittle from being an approved SMSF auditor under s 130F(2) of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, effective from 12 July 2017.