Category: Industry Update

SMSF Sorted 2.0 – Built for SMSF Administrators and Outsource Firms

The latest release from SMSF Sorted provides a range of new features designed to assist administrators and large outsourcing firms to manage their jobs, documents and data whilst at the same time, standardising and slashing processing time per fund. SMSF Sorted can now link to your customers (Accountants/Financial Planners), as well as to your Auditors, to ensure there is a single system to manage your complete workflow across multiple stakeholders.

1. Document Management System (DMS)

We’ve completely revolutionised document management by ensuring your document storage and lead schedule referencing is one and the same. The content in your PDF source documents is turned into structured searchable data for instant search-find referencing. Then, by using bookmark logic to save in-page reference points, you are able to build out a fully referenced lead schedule by simply saving docs in our DMS. Reviewers, customers and auditors can then click lead schedule links to specific in-page reference points saving document handling time all the way through the review chain.

2. Workflow Management (Internal & External)

SMSF Sorted offers you a single dashboard to manage your jobs, assign staff and track job statuses. This also includes management of external stakeholders; the added workflow functionality allows you to share, manage, communicate and track everything you need with your internal staff, customers and auditors. Our latest release incorporates a new itemised review/re-work/approval workflow for your external customers and auditors. Whether changes are requested by your customer or auditor, SMSF Sorted allows for document changes, re-importing of data from your admin software and then re-submitting for client approval or auditor sign off.

3. Portals Portals Portals…

To manage the external part of your workflow, SMSF Sorted allows you to create customer and auditor portals. Customer Portals Connect to your accountant and financial planner customers by creating them a free portal from SMSF Sorted. This allows your customers to share docs, review work, approve, raise/respond to queries, track statuses and request changes/re-work. Auditor Portals You can also connect to your auditor via SMSF Sorted. If they are a non-Cloudoffis auditor, you can create them a free read-only version from SMSF Sorted or for best in class automation, connect to a Cloudoffis SMSF Auditomation subscriber to further enhance the automation on both sides of the process.  Either option allows you to transfer data, docs and review/respond to queries.

4. Job Standardisation and Automation

End-of-year processing is standardised and laid out in a clear dashboard to aid in processing, this vastly reduces quality and human error risk. A set of automated compliance checks help to ensure consistency by raising red flags and alerting users to certain points of interest. This includes checking for work test requirements, how effective tax has been allocated as well as if there were any lump sum payments, contra bank entries or negative balances through the year, to name just a few.

5. Customisation and Integration

The features in our DMS and Workflow have been designed specifically for your SMSF process. If for any reason you cannot completely replace your current DMS or Workflow tool, or if you have other proprietary software such as a client portal, we have the ability and experience to integrate into your existing systems to ensure you gain maximum efficiency by adding SMSF Sorted into your tech stack. Cloudoffis specialises in automation and workflow technology for accountants, administrators and auditors in the SMSF space. All systems compliment and integrate beautifully with leading SMSF Admin software like, Class and BGL. See how our solutions can help your firm, get in touch with us here.  Want to learn more about the the SMSF Sorted 2.0 release? Join the upcoming webinar: 

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API integration of Cloudoffis + BGL workpapers is an iconic feature

Software SMSF Adviser Logo

Also published by SMSF Adviser, powered by Momentum Media Written by Miranda Brownlee on 20 July 2020 Cloudoffis, one of Australia’s leading providers of cloud-based SMSF Preparation and Audit Automation technology today announced the successful integration of their “SMSF Auditomation” platform with BGL Workpapers–an extension of the pre-existing integration with BGL Simple Fund 360.

Enhanced features brought together with API integration.

A major key feature of this industry-first API integration between Cloudoffis + BGL Workpapers is the time-saving potential this automation provides beyond any other solution available on the market. The bookmarking and tagging of source documents in workpapers flow through into the audit file and align with each lead schedule item. The automated observations improve accuracy and provide peace of mind by being automatically checked and flagged for any errors. The auditor can address red flags as they’re found – not go searching for them. An inbuilt risk matrix is created as data is pulled through from BGL and analyzed. The pre-audit risk value alerts provide an opportunity for appropriate management. As a result, Cloudoffis “SMSF Auditomation” users (Auditors) will get broader access to Simple Fund 360 generated financial reports and documents tagged to the trial balance. Combined with Auditomation’s document recognition, direct data sourcing, and automation capabilities, this integration will help SMSF auditors streamline their audit processes, sharpen accuracy and reduce upward of 50% of their time per audit.

BGL and Cloudoffis; a 1–2 punch

BGL Corp acknowledged the longstanding relationship between both the businesses and Cloudoffis’ vision in further streamlining the SMSF process from engagement to completion. “At BGL, we are a strong advocate of developing ecosystem partnerships to help businesses streamline processes. Partnering with Cloudoffis is an example of two leading technology providers collaborating for the benefit of both our clients. BGL currently has over 350 partners as part of our Ecosystem” said Ron Lesh, BGL’s Managing Director. Integration with BGL’s Simple Fund 360 (OR Workpapers) reflects Cloudoffis’ continued commitment to helping SMSF providers automate and streamline their processes.

  “At Cloudoffis we continue to refine our SMSF Preparation and Audit Automation solutions to help the industry and our users find efficiencies across processes and maximize return on investment,” said Viral Kanabar, Co-Founder & Director at Cloudoffis.

Workpapers were created by BGL to prepare and review workpapers from data in SimpleFund 360 and complete any necessary checklists. Cloudoffis’ other compliance preparation solution “SMSF Sorted” (for Accountants) can complement Workpapers by providing workflow notifications and tracking, dashboards, and a comprehensive query and review module; couple this with integration to Cloudoffis’ “SMSF Automation” solution (for Auditors) for a highly efficient, compliant, end-to-end SMSF workflow solution. Cloudoffis and BGL can be used as stand-alone products but operate with an integrated 1–2 punch, keeping SMSF together, as manual processes become siloed, to remain streamlined from SMSF accounting through to auditing.

Watch the industry-first Audit automation API integration with Cloudoffis SMSF Automation & BGL Workpapers

About Cloudoffis

Cloudoffis offers a brand new way of preparing an SMSF & conducting an audit. It is developed with a unique technology that individually saves Accountants & Auditors upward of 50% time per fund. Accurate, fast, and compliant, Cloudoffis fits seamlessly and combines with leading SMSF administration providers–completing the SMSF workflow process and enhancing the all-user experience. Cloudoffis not only automates the manual processes outside of existing admin software but also provides highly intuitive and intelligent tools to enhance an Accountants or Auditors ability to conduct critical analysis, make judgments and streamline their process to professional standards. Headquartered in Sydney, NSW, Cloudoffis is in its fourth year of operation and continues to carve out its lane for the SMSF industry. Chris Satchi – Head of Sales Email: sales@cloudoffis.com.au Phone: 0403 513 354 Website: https://www.cloudoffis.com.au/schedule-a-live-demo/

About BGL

With over 30 years of trust in the accounting software space, BGL delivers Australia’s leading and award-winning cloud-based corporate compliance management and SMSF administration software solutions to over 8,000 businesses in 15 countries. All through a user-friendly and highly intelligent web application. BGL’s market-leading Simple Fund 360 and Simple Fund Desktop solutions are used to administer over 60% of Australia’s 600,000 self-managed super funds. Our clients include all major accounting firms, law firms, many listed and private company groups, accountants, financial planners, and many individual SMSF trustees. Contact – Ron Lesh Email: marketing@bglcorp.com.au Phone: 1300 654 401 Website:  https://www.bglcorp.com

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5 key points to keep in mind when going through a software review

The software landscape is fast-moving and ever-changing. This article covers 5 key points to keep in mind through a software review. To begin a successful review, you will first need a deep understanding of your firm’s workflow and challenges and then secondly, be up to date and familiar with the latest technology available in the industry. Software is obviously not something you want to get wrong. Not only is it expensive to change but the change itself is time and resource-intensive. If it is done right you can keep changes to a minimum, maximise your efficiency and remain at the forefront of new developments without a worry in the world for years to come..

1. Automation

Technology is now at a point where rather than just helping with managing and organising tasks, they can be, to varying degrees, actually done for you. The AI and machine learning trend is game-changing and is offering firms new ways to gain efficiencies. If your technology is a few years old and hasn’t been actively developed, there could be new alternatives that can change the way you do things. If you are reviewing new technology, review it from the lens of “how much time will this save me or my team; can the machines do the mundane tasks my staff waste precious hours on?” This can also be considered when reviewing and improving outsourcing strategies.

2. Integration

It is important that software is flexible and plays nice with your other systems to ensure it complements your workflow. Always check the software you are reviewing already has, or is open to, useful integrations. Many software companies out there are effectively a closed-loop and try to build all the products/modules themselves, this can restrict your ability to utilise best in class technology whilst maintaining a connected workflow.

3. Tech stack context

Software products often focus on one area and do it well. e.g. a Document management system, a workflow program, a customer portal, etc. This often means a firm may have anywhere from 3 to 5 disparate software systems to fulfil a single work process. Integrations can help with this but a fully integrated 5 system solution is unlikely for most firms to construct and navigate. Rather than focusing on feature-rich or even overall best in class systems, review technology from the context of your own workflow and requirements. Is there potentially 1 system that does what you need instead of 3 individual systems?

4. Future development (A going concern)

Static software development is not a good sign. It’s basically going backwards. In such a fast-moving competitive market, you will be best served to enquire as to the growth and development plans of a software package you are currently using or reviewing. Partnering with a software firm that aggressively releases updates and new features means you are likely staying up to date with the latest tech and reducing your future risk of needing to change in the near future.

5. Cost vs Value

This is very specific to your own circumstances. The cheapest software or the most expensive is not necessarily the right option for you. It needs to solve a problem for you specifically. This sounds obvious but there are so many firms that either have low-cost solutions that don’t actually offer real value or firms with expensive pieced together solutions that can actually cause inefficiency. Understanding the actual value vs costs of software relative to your own situation is crucial. Inefficiency isn’t a line item on the balance sheet, unfortunately! Cloudoffis specialises in automation technology for accountants and auditors in the SMSF space, get in touch with us here.

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Our commitment during COVID-19: Free Subscription, Ongoing Support

We’re all aware of evolving changes in Australia and the world as a result of COVID-19. Like all of us right now we are coming to grips with the changes. But rest assured some things remain the same. Let us shine some light on your day with our way of saying we care about the important work you do, and need to continue doing. To make the most of a dire situation we’d like to offer support in saying…

  • You CAN work and support clients from home.
  • Your business WILL NOT need to stop.
  • Your team WILL continue to be safe & productive.
  • You DO need to think differently.
  • The financial impact DOES NOT need to burden you.

We are your partners in making your SMSF work simpler and far more time-efficient (at least 50% more!). And it doesn’t matter how much paperwork you have, how many clients you need to see, or how many team members you need to interact with – thankfully, with Cloudoffis, your entire SMSF process can be carried out risk-free, remotely and safely online by you or your team.

Here’s how Cloudoffis is adapting to the-fast-changing circumstances—to protect your health and keep business processes together.

Priorities

Our first priority is protecting the safety and wellbeing of people—including our team, partners and clients. Our next priority is ensuring uninterrupted support for you—even amidst the turbulence of social changes. That’s how we know you’ll be empowered to maintain efficiency and productivity together.

Uninterrupted service
Firstly, rest assured that we’ll continue to serve you with the same level of attention, dedication and insight you expect from Cloudoffis. We’re extending that care and service whilst working remotely as a team.

A token of appreciated extended to new users

For us it’s business as usual, for our clients they’re grateful they have the processes in place, but for everyone else we want to help make SMSF automation available for you as well. As a token of our support & appreciation enjoy 15 months for the cost of 12 – with this extra 3 months you will not only be able to continue SMSF operations smoothly and better than ever, you’ll save hundreds of dollars but also save the most wonderful asset we have – time. These solutions not only unblock workflow inefficiencies, they are also greatly helping Accountants & Auditors work remotely, securely and transparently. Simply request a demo and mention this offer to proceed.

Technology lifelines

As always we’ll be harnessing technology to deliver all our services. We’re lucky to be ahead of the curve here—as you know from day one we’ve been securing digital data, sharing knowledge online and using phone and email to provide you support. Our robust systems and processes enable us to deliver the highest level of technology to you, so you can continue to use the Cloudoffis solutions (SMSF Auditomation and SMSF Sorted) from anywhere in the world.

Your feedback valued

We will continuously work together with our integration partners, and with you, to enable an environment that supports your transition to remote work. For those of you who have been equipped for some time, we’d love to know how you’re doing and if you need anything. We are proactively getting in touch with all clients and as always, we welcome and value all your feedback.

Always supported

Being a critical partner to your business, we understand the importance of our ability to always support you and your team. If you have any questions at all please get in touch as you always would:1. Email your queries to us at support@cloudoffis.com.au
2. Call us on 1300 979 457 (Then Press ‘2’)

We’re never more than a call away—and during uncertain times we’ll always support you.

Thank you & take care,
The Cloudoffis Team

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Humanology (Humans + Technology) – Webinar “TECH TALK”

Be inspired by our diverse group of industry experts and thought leaders as we explore ‘Humanology’ (Humans + Technology) on this innovative innovative webinar discussion: When human genius and the best technology work seamlessly together to create remarkable outcomes for your business!

Panelists:

  1. Daniel Tramontana – BGL
  2. Chris Satchi – Cloudoffis
  3. Jamie Beresford – Practice Protect
  4. David New – Spotlight Reporting

What we’ll cover:

  • Is technology a threat or an opportunity?
  • How does technology help businesses to achieve their best?
  • Key steps to implement new technologies.
  • Engaging team members and ensuring effective implementation of new technologies.
  • The importance of building an A-Team and staying on top of the game. And much more.

Monday, 1 Jul, 2019 @ 11:30 am AEST

Register Now!!

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Enhanced Security: A multi-factor authentication comes to Cloudoffis

Online security breaches happen every day, all around the world. It’s a fact of life, as we move things online and to the cloud, efficiency increases but so does the possibility of falling victim to fraud. Webber Insurance Services has compiled a list of Australian companies that have had data breaches in 2018 and 2019. They’re big names, close to home. When it comes to online security the best offense is a good defense. The Australian Taxation Office made changes to the Operational Framework for Digital Service Providers, making Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) mandatory “where users potentially have access to large volumes of taxpayer or superannuation related information”.

Programs that digitally connect to the ATO, such as MYOB, Xero, BGL, Class, etc, had to meet these security standards by 30 September, 2018. MFA means that during the login process, after entering your username and password, you are also required to enter an additional code (or scan a QR code) that is sent via a preferred Authenticator App, SMS, or Email.

This security measure is not mandatory for Cloudoffis users, however, following the changes in the FinTech space, Cloudoffis has recognized MFA requirements as a best practice method. Moreover, because of the mandatory changes to our integration software application partners, like BGL, Class Super, and Supermate, Cloudoffis users will be required to complete an MFA when connecting to partner systems.

These added layers of security turn trust from something implicit, to something we carry out in our day-to-day operation of systems such as these. Cloudoffis, is part of a network of systems all committed to making SMSF compliance an efficient and enjoyable process for all parties involved. That said, we have a responsibility to each other to make sure every system feeding back into this network is as secure as possible. These added layers of security can incite groans and grumbles from users who say productivity will suffer, however, innovative solutions are available especially designed to combat this.

Platforms like Practice Protect, digitally secure accounting firms through one secure login to all cloud applications that can be tracked and restricted to specific locations, as well as applied firm-wide. Practice Protect has identified that “it is far easier to trick than hack”; 67% of data breaches in 2018 were due to human error or passwords being compromised. All in all, like Cloudoffis, every good platform will help you perform better and create capacity, but we’re happy to be further aligned now with the ethos of helping our industry users reduce risk, maintain control of operations and strengthen trust with clients – all whilst consistently providing greater efficiency.

It’s amazing in FinTech, when we all work together, the security and efficiency we can achieve for our users are phenomenal. To learn more about Cloudoffis and becoming efficient, whilst maintaining consistency, with your audit automation, reach out today using the form below.

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A Guide to Transfer Balance Account Reports for accountants & auditors

Auditors and accountants have to adapt to the new legislation on SMSF reporting. There have been significant changes in SMSF processing, and it’s crucial to keep up with them. In July 2018, a new framework for SMSFs was introduced which requires certain events to be reported to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Event-based reporting is a new obligation SMSFs need to fulfill. SMSF annual returns are still mandatory.

However, this new reporting style aims to capture information about other events as they occur. In certain cases, SMSFs have to file transfer balance account reports (or TBARs). There is now an increased need for real-time accounting. TBARs may need to be filed at any time during the financial year. Additionally, there’s a strict time limit on TBAR reporting.

Hence, the SMSF industry is going to have to make some fundamental changes. Accounting and auditing will have to become faster and more cost-efficient. In many cases, you’ll lodge within 28 days of the end of the quarter. Some TBARs need lodging sooner, whereas you only need to lodge others annually.

What about auditing? TBARs give auditors a new set of challenges. They’re still invaluable to the process, but the use of TBARs means they have to adapt to a new environment. Let’s overview the top facts about TBARs, as well as the ways that auditors will have to update their practices.

What Is a T BAR?

The ATO introduced TBARs to help them with a specific issue. Previously, the ATO had to wait for extended periods to receive data about how much people have allocated across the various phases in their superannuation funds. In some cases, they have to wait for almost 11 months to receive data about SMSFs. T BAR allows the ATO to track a member’s significant events and key transactions during the retirement phase. The ATO has applied a transfer balance cap of $1.6 million to this retirement phase.

TBARs allows you to track a transfer balance account to work out if there’s space for further activity. It also highlights if you’ve exceeded the cap through recent activity. TBARs allow the government to track large transfers. SMSF members now have their total superannuation balance monitored too. This is the sum of all their accumulation and retirement phase superannuation interests across all their accounts and funds. If it goes over $1 million, the SMSF has to lodge more frequently.

Which Events Require TBARs?

It’s crucial for accountants to keep track of each SMSF member’s transfers and superannuation balance. Accountants must report key events that alter an SMSF member’s transfer balance. Check the ATO’s guide here. A short summary follows:

  • The Type and Value of Pre-Existing Income Streams Details of pre-existing income streams being received on 30 June 2017 that will continue to be paid or will remain in the retirement phase on or after 1 July 2017. It’s not necessary to file a TBAR when the interest from an income stream has been exhausted.
  • The Type and Value of Death Benefit Income Streams and New Retirement Phase Income Streams Reversionary death benefit income streams should be filed starting from the date of death. Note that it’s not necessary to file a report upon the death of an SMSF member
  • New or Re-Financed Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA) Payments ‘New’ refers to borrowing arrangements entered into on or after 1 July 2017 and the payment results in an increase in the value of the member’s interest that supports their retirement phase income stream.
  • Personal Injury Contributions
  • Commutations of Retirement Phase Income Streams that occur on or after 1 July 2017 or Compliance with a Commutation Authority

There are some exclusions to consider in the reporting too. For example, accountants don’t have to worry about filing a member’s APRA fund interests as the funds will report these. Information filed directly via a Transfer balance event notification form (NAT 74919) also doesn’t need to be included in the T BAR.

How Does TBAR’s Introduction Change the Compliance Process?

It was necessary to file all information about pre-existing streams by 1 July 2018. After this date, TBARs cover new events. If every SMSF member has a total superannuation balance lower than $1 million, the TBARs aren’t urgent. They can simply be filed once a year along with the Annual Return. But this changes if any member has a total superannuation balance of over $1 million. In this case, the SMSF has a new obligation. When an event occurs, they have to file a TBAR within 28 days after the end of the quarter. Events apply to all members, including members whose total superannuation balance is under $1 million. Let’s overview the main points.

  • The ATO will notify you in the event that you exceed the $1.6 million cap. It will ask you to rectify the event.
  • There is no legal limitation on the superannuation balance of SMSF members. But if anyone’s total superannuation balance goes over $1 million, a TBAR must be filed.
  • The ATO now has more insight into all SMSF income streams.
  • When you file depends on the fund’s composition and each member’s total super balance. As mentioned previously, you’ll often file within four weeks of an event. However, there are plenty of exceptions. For example, in the case of commutations, the SMSF may have only ten days after the end of the month to file a TBAR.

This is a new piece of legislation, so we may see changes made over time, particularly in regard to caps. For example, the $1 million superannuation criterion might be re-evaluated over time. Furthermore, the Treasury has a new proposal to change the audit cycle from one year to three years. If the measure passes, it will commence on 1 July 2019. However, the idea is still under much debate. Interestingly, this proposal sits at odds with the value and oversight that event-based reporting provides. With longer audit cycles, the ATO’s level of oversight would decrease. This might undo some of the positives that come with TBARs.

Your Responsibilities

When the July 2018 deadline came around, many SMSFs failed to comply with the new legislation. In most cases, the failure came from a muddled understanding of the rules. Some SMSF accountants didn’t understand the proper treatment of income streams under the new legislation. Some of the clients failed to comply with the transfer balance cap. This often happened because they failed to inform their accountant about their other super fund balances. People simply didn’t know which data was relevant. Since July, various SMSFs struggled with sending up-to-date TBARs. Many accountants had to get used to the new software in order to generate these reports and have had to change their practices to ensure data is up-to-date and accessible. As an auditor, ensuring you have a solid understanding of TBAR reporting is one of your responsibilities. This means you have to have clear oversight over all of your client’s income streams, other key events and any breaches of the transfer balance cap.

What Does This Change?

With these changes, the accounting and auditing process has to become more proactive and access to up-to-date data is imperative. SMSF professionals have more data to go over and processing frequency will need to increase. However, your main task lies in understanding the compliance and data requirements that will allow you to support the fund under this new framework. Many auditors hesitate to rely on data feeds. But if you find feeds that have a reliable source and structure, you won’t compromise the quality of your work. Data feeds can be secure and almost entirely error-free. At the same time, auditors will need to have a more active relationship with their clients. Being able to source reliable data and communicate regularly with clients can make it easier to keep on top of your requirements, identify areas of focus, and help to better support the SMSF with the new compliance regime.

The Final Word

TBARs whilst complex, have made a positive contribution to the industry in providing more visibility and transparency of key information. Clients and their SMSF professionals are still in an adjustment period. But the reporting process should soon become routine. It’s impossible to keep up with these changes without altering your process. Becoming well-versed in data feeds and understanding what online access to data and reporting you can receive is one of the ways that can assist Automation enables you to more easily and cost-effectively identify areas for focus. But there are many other ways to improve your processes. At Cloudoffis, we offer a variety of industry-specific innovations. To learn more, get in touch with us any time.

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Year of the audit “2019” – What you think on future of SMSF auditing?

Hey there,

What do you believe is the future of SMSF auditing?
At Cloudoffis, we hold out the promise of new experiences and challenge you to try them.
We believe SMSF workflows and current practices can be free from inaccurate and time-consuming paperwork.
We believe in a user-friendly experience that enhances collaboration and success.
We believe in business intelligence that enables flexibility without compromising power.
We believe in an integrated platform, but we don’t believe in silo-ed solutions that require referencing history.
At Cloudoffis, we provide automated cloud technology

that drastically reduces inefficiencies and empowers the SMSF auditing industry.
So I challenge you to leave the known for what could be, innovate with an adventurous spirit, and be a trailblazer with us.
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Anything that you wanted to know about Auditing Investments platform

Auditing an investment platform can present some challenges. Here, we tackle some of the biggest questions that you may have about this task.

There is a trend among modern investors to utilize investment platforms and the efficiencies offered. This gives out some interesting challenges to auditors and accountants. Each investment platform comes with its own set of features and reporting. You have to learn about these if you want to carry out audits with ease. Furthermore, you have to learn how to work within the confines of the platform itself and understand the tools available to you. Failure to do so could lead to a struggle to find the key information needed for the audit. Investment platforms aren’t something that you can avoid either.

The rise in popularity of managed accounts has led to more people using platforms to help manage their investments. They allow users to oversee their accounts and gain transparency. This helps to gain trust, and be consistent and believable for investors at all levels. What you may not realize is that investment platforms also offer tools to accountants and auditors.

This article refers to managed accounts and their relevance to investment platforms, what investment platforms offer for accountants and auditors, and if their data feeds are reliable or not.

What is a Managed Account?

Before getting started with anything else, the first step is to understand what Managed Accounts are. With a managed account, each investor has direct or beneficial ownership of the individual underlying investments. They then hire a professional manager to oversee the investment portfolio on their behalf. This is the key difference between managed accounts and managed funds. With a managed fund, the investor has a share of a pool of assets via issued units rather than direct or beneficial ownership of the underlying investments.

The individualized aspect of managed accounts is what has made them so popular. Using them allows the owner to tailor their investment strategy according to their own goals. They allow ease of portfolio management, which results in time savings. They also provide access to better transparency through professional management, as well as more comprehensive reporting. Often, an investment platform will be used to deliver or enable managed account services.   Investment platforms offer a good access point to managed accounts. This is because they offer a very efficient method of reporting on transactions and managing the investment.

Hence, as managed accounts gain popularity, so do investment platforms. There’s another important point to make here. You may have to audit more than one managed account when auditing the output from an investment platform. Managed accounts are only one type of investment that these platforms offer and clients can have numerous managed investments. Others include fixed interest, equities, and cash investments. Investment platforms also generally offer access to managed funds. There is an increasing trend toward using investment platforms that looks likely to continue. This means you’ll have to audit the outputs from more investment platforms more often as time goes on.

What does an Investment Platform Offer to an Auditor?

This trend toward investment platforms can seem like a scary proposition. While most auditors have worked with the outputs from platforms before, there’s an issue of complexity to consider. Managed accounts and other investment types make the auditing process more difficult. The good news is that many investment platforms offer an array of features. These features often benefit auditors and aim to make it easier for you to do your job. These features include the following:

  • Direct access to investment information for accountants and auditors:

For example, some investment platforms can offer you access to live reports. This gives you an up-to-date picture of your client’s finances and actions. These reports can often complement the end-of-year reports received and provide more detail. They cover every aspect of the transaction, in addition to that, they’re often automated. This cuts down the issues related to human errors.

  • Access to audit reports issued for the investment platform:

The issuing of these reports allows auditors to rely on the year-end data that the platform generates. The reports also offer greater transparency to auditors, clients, and advisors.

  • Access to data feeds if the platform supports them:

Many platform providers have introduced data feeds into their offerings that cover all investment types. These feeds provide greater automation of data entry and can provide greater transparency around the underlying transactions that the client undertakes.

Also, it is important to remember that each investment platform offers different features. These are only a couple of examples of what the platforms provide to accountants and auditors. Your client’s platform may not have all these features or it may have extra features that can provide you with even more help.

These differences affect your auditing approach. They call on you to learn about the specific features that a platform has to offer, but taking the time to do this usually leads to you saving a lot of time later on.

Can I Use Data Feeds?

The use of data feeds when auditing investment platforms is a contentious issue. On one hand, some platforms don’t yet have the required functionality. The use of feeds doesn’t come as standard across all platforms and the treatment of different investment types (particularly managed accounts), differs across the software consuming the feed. That does not mean you should automatically not use feeds. You just have to be aware of the source and any limitations, as you do with any feed that you use. But things have started to change. Investment platforms have started to evolve their feeds and many include tools that offer greater support to auditors and accountants who use the platform’s data.

Conclusion

Auditors must come to grips with the evolution of investment platforms. The popularity of managed accounts has led to more people using them. You need to adapt to the greater complexity of the investments that people oversee using these platforms. You also need to know about the new tools that they provide concerning accessing up-to-date data and providing online access to platform users. The key lies in understanding what these platforms have to offer. You have to take full advantage of the resources that the platforms provide. This may require some research on your part.

However, there’s a strong payoff. Accessing these tools can save you a lot of time during the auditing of accounts preparation process. Of course, using a good audit platform can speed up the auditing process further. That’s where Cloudoffis can help. Cloudoffis is an automated SMSF audit solution that allows for even greater efficiency. Arrange for a live demonstration with our team today. With Cloudoffis, you can make SMSF audits more efficient than ever before. Simply schedule your demo on the form below.

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Concerned that cloud-based software is less secure? It’s not the fact

Besides doing an accurate audit, security is probably your biggest worry. When you heard the rumours about the lack of security in cloud-based software to conduct your clients’ SMSF audits, you might have run for the hills. After all, a secure working and storage environment is key to ensure your clients’ trust. Although you’re tempted by how easy it is to work with and store data in the cloud, still-doubts linger. Are my clients’ data secure? Can I trust cloud-based systems to keep their data secure for the years to come? You need the facts–not half-truths whispered around the water cooler. Cloud-based software is not only as secure as a conventional IT system-it’s more secure. Here’s what you need to know:

Tight Control Doesn’t Mean High Security

Noted computer science professor David Linthicum wasn’t always a believer in cloud computing’s security. Although well aware of its power and scope for applications, he now is ‘finding that clouds are more secure than traditional systems, generally speaking’. The reason? Contrary to the myth, the truth is that where data is located isn’t as important as accessibility. In other words, in Linthicum’s words, ‘control does not mean security’. In fact, says Linthicum, traditional, on-premises IT systems average more Web application-based attacks than do service providers’ cloud-based systems, by a ratio of 61 to 28.

On-Premises Systems Bigger Targets for Security Threats

That’s a huge difference. Furthermore, Linthicum points out, the on-premises users had more “brute force attacks” than did the cloud-based users. Food for thought-especially since in our business-our data represents the net wealth of our clients. Like sharks when they smell blood, attackers bite when they smell money. Especially if they know they’ll have more than twice the chance of success when they know the accounting firm still uses an on-premises IT system. Again, Linthicum stresses, a firm’s preference for an on-premises system rests on a feeling; the false premise that control equals security. In fact, he points out, those companies who design cloud-based platforms “focus more on security and governance” than their old-school brethren.

The Key: A Cloud Solution that Takes Security Seriously

Instead, what a financial firm should concentrate on is to find a system with cutting-edge security technology and a proper strategy. Reducing the opportunities for an attack to breach the system should be the priority. A software firm that tests, tests, and tests again for vulnerability is the one companies who deal with the life’s savings of its clients should choose. In the 23 April 2017 edition of Forbes, Louis Columbus writes about Australians’ reluctance to hop on board with cloud solutions for fear of security breaches. Although Australia is the global leader in cloud adoption for public use, the Gulf Coast Council leads in private cloud use. Yet as cloud services increase their security for public, private, and hybrid platforms, more and more companies are coming around to take advantage of cloud services for even their most sensitive data.

Security Is Now the Competitive Edge for Cloud Providers

The question is, does your company really want to drag its heels on adopting cloud technology when it could take the lead? According to UK tech writer Ben Rossi, it is precisely the lack of confidence many enterprise companies have in the cloud that should spur them to take a second look. Because of this general reluctance of organisations to adopt cloud platforms, cloud services, says Rossi, have begun to ramp up their security to the point that they compete ‘on the security of their service’. Add that factor to the reality-not the myth-that most of the recent data breaches that have happened over the last few years occurred within on-premises IT systems. Cloud systems, too, have no personal connections-or axes to grind-with the companies they serve. As Rossi points out, ’employees with …malevolent intentions will find it more difficult’ to do damage with cloud-stored data. In most cases, Rossi says, cloud-based services must adhere to tougher standards than do on-premises systems, since cloud services handle the data for much more than just one organisation.

Choose Efficiency and Security with a World-Class Cloud Provider

The key, then, to take advantage of the lower cost and higher efficiency of the cloud while lessening your risk, is to choose your cloud provider wisely, conclude the authors of Internet security giant McAfee’s ground-breaking report, ‘Building Trust in a Cloudy Sky‘. Those Cloud First organisations who use unified or integrated security solutions have found it easier to adopt cloud services, since the heightened level of security from these security providers ‘reduce their response time to detect, protect, and correct threats to the organisation’s data’. Cloudoffis takes its clients’ security seriously. Not only does it host its servers on the highly secure Amazon Australia, but it also adheres to the highest industry standards of security implementation. To discover more about how you can boost your productivity while maintaining the highest level of security for your audit files, contact Cloudoffis today.

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