ASIC finally admits SMSF fact sheet was – WRONG!

By Homepage, In the Media, Industry, UncategorisedNo Comments

I have said many times that ASIC’s “Are SMSFs for you?” fact sheet was wrong. The use of ATO data to produce a document that was clearly misleading my view was ridiculous.

Well finally the ASIC Chair has now admitted to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics that it failed when this so called fact (I would call it factless) sheet was published.

BGL has been saying based on data for over 200,000 SMSFs the cost of running an SMSF is somewhere between $2,000 and $3,000. It can be higher and it can be lower – it depends – but it is certainly it is NOT the $13,900 published in ASIC’s factless sheet.

I could say “I told you so” but I won’t!

Check out the article below for more info.

https://www.smsfadviser.com/news/19866-asic-admits-failures-in-smsf-operating-costs-fact-sheet

PS: Love Tim Wilson’s comments….

April 1, 2021
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CAS 360 Great News!

By BGL Update, CAS 360No Comments

CAS 360 Singapore Company Compliance Software Released to Beta!

For the March 2021 release of CAS 360 we have completed our beta development for CAS 360 in Singapore, and we are very excited to be putting CAS 360 in the hands of a number of beta firms in Singapore.

CAS 360 Singapore, is hosted in Singapore through our infrastructure partner Amazon Web Services (AWS)

CAS 360 Singapore has some amazing features, never before seen in Singapore. CAS 360 is approved for electronic filing of the Singapore company annual return with ACRA. This is done through the seamless filing project. This unlocks huge efficiency gains for CSPs as they can now complete the filing without leaving CAS 360.

We have also added full document support for Company Address, Company Officers and Company Shareholder changes in Singapore.

The April CAS 360 Singapore release will also see some fantastic features, more on that next month.

For CAS 360 New Zealand, we have released a series of new features and improvements. We have continued to build our AML / CDD functionality with the introduction of a new AML / CDD compliance report, and a new AML / CDD compliance listing report.

CAS 360 New Zealand March 2021 update also sees improvements to company imports, improved shareholder imports, improved share transactions being filed to Companies Office, and a few more.

While this release focuses more on CAS 360 Singapore and CAS 360 New Zealand, the CAS 360 Australia team has been hard at work with improvements to adding emails in document production, improved information hovers for trustee companies, enhancements to trust information in Address Usage report and Trust vesting date being added to the Trust Listing Report.

We have a huge new feature for Australia & New Zealand set to drop in early April, this one has taken a few months to develop, and when you see it, you will know why. Oh, and you will be able to complete Annual Reviews/Returns faster than ever before…

See you in April 🙂

March 30, 2021
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Digital Signing with BGL’s COO Daniel Tramontana

By BGL Update, CAS 360, Industry, New Zealand, Simple Fund 360, Simple Invest 360, TechnologyNo Comments

Browsing through various platforms, it has been great to see the discussions around digital signing.

Digital signing in my view, is a must for any organisation where client signatures are required and where the law permits.

As a software provider, it is important to build into the software design and experience a quality engagement piece that brings to surface the true value of Digital Signing.

At BGL Corporate Solutions, we currently integrate CAS 360 (Australia), CAS 360 (New Zealand), Simple Fund 360 and Simple Invest 360 with DocuSign and Adobe Sign and soon to be released, FuseSign by FuseWorks and PleaseSign.

What differentiates these integrations is that they are built directly into the software.

Well, what does this mean? Simple.

We deeply embed the digital signing solution into the software. We mark up the documents and forms, so that when you deliver a set of documents to your clients, they are ready for digital signing. We allow for easy selection of signing and tracking so users can monitor the status

When complete, we notify you and then store the document as required by the governing bodies and make it easy for you to retrieve.

When it comes to Digital Signing solutions, the end-to-end experience is so important and that is what we make great!

March 15, 2021
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2020 was a mad year – but I am so proud of what the BGL Team achieved…

By BGL UpdateNo Comments

2020 was a mad year.

I think we are all happy it is behind us.

But, during 2020, I was really proud of what the BGL Team achieved.

Let me first look at the CAS 360 Team.

There were 17 software releases with over 400 new features released.

Just think about that – 1 software release every 3 weeks and over 1 new feature every day of the year!

Second, let’s look at Simple Fund 360.

There were 42 major software releases with 100’s of new features released. These include:

  • Simple Fund 360 – 15 releases
  • Simple Fund  360 Workpapers – 2 release
  • Simple Invest 360 – 7 releases
  • Simple Fund Mobile – 4 releases
  • GuestTrack by BGL – 12 releases

And these are just the major releases!

Apart from the work of these 2 teams, the Training and Documentation Team were tasked with updating the documentation and training materials for both products. These guys did an amazing job keeping up with the speed of development of the CAS 360 and Simple Fund 360 product teams.

And last, but not least, let’s include the fantastic work of the BGL IT Team. The BGL IT Team released myBGL and a huge amount of internal development during the year. This team also made numerous software releases of both myBGL and to other internal systems.

Not a bad effort from 3 of the sensational teams at BGL.

Working from home the Teams proved they are consummate professionals.

I am so proud of what was achieved in a very difficult year. I am so proud of each and every one of you!

 

February 26, 2021
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The future of BGL’s Simple Fund Desktop

By BGL Update, Homepage, NewsNo Comments

Below is an email I sent to Simple Fund Desktop clients today.

If this affects you, please speak to your BGL account manager

************************************************************************

I am writing to advise you of the future of your BGL Simple Fund Desktop software.

As you would be aware, there will be a number of significant changes to superannuation law in the 2021 calendar year. These changes include indexation of the pension cap of $1.6m, Superstream Rollovers and the ability to have 6 members in an SMSF.

BGL has made the decision to not make these changes to Simple Fund Desktop and therefore 30 June 2021 will be the last tax release of Simple Fund Desktop.

BGL launched Simple Fund Desktop in 1997. This software has had an incredible life but eventually all good things must come to an end.

BGL will continue to support Simple Fund Desktop clients. No date for the cessation of support has been set and we know it will take a while for all clients to move to Simple Fund 360.

What’s next?

Simple Fund 360 is the natural move for Simple Fund Desktop clients. Migration is seamless and ALL data and reports are migrated from Simple Fund Desktop to Simple Fund 360, meaning you do not lose ANY of your valuable data.

To prepare for your transition to Simple Fund 360, it’s best to start early by:

  1. Reaching out to your Account Manager
  2. Preparing your funds for migration
  3. Signing up to Simple Fund 360
  4. Setting up your data feeds

My Account Management and Client Success Team are here to help make your move absolutely seamless. I have asked them to reach out to you in the coming weeks to help you get started but if you would like to contact us, please call on 1300 654 401.

Finally, let me thank you for being a Simple Fund Desktop client. For many of you, I know Simple Fund Desktop has been a part of your lives for a very long time. I hope Simple Fund 360 will help you continue this remarkable experience

February 15, 2021
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BGL very concerned about Total Balance Cap indexation

By BGL Update, Homepage, Industry, NewsNo Comments

BGL is very concerned about the practical implementation of the indexation of the Total Balance Cap.

“It’s simply too complicated” said BGL’s Managing Director, Ron Lesh. “Indexing the $1.6m cap to $1.7m is not the problem – it’s the partial indexation where a person has already commenced a pension that is crazy.”

“There are 2 real problems with partial indexation.

1. Potentially every person can now have a different total balance cap, and
2. Access to ATO total balance cap data is not readily available.

This makes these changes a nightmare for SMSF advisers” says Lesh. “The ATO and Treasury have known for 2 + years that this will be a problem but have done nothing about it. BGL and many others have been asking for API access to ATO total balance cap data, but our requests have been ignored – it’s simply not good enough.”

“Something needs to be done – and fast”

“The Government needs to find a solution to this – fast” added Lesh. “The simplest is to remove partial indexation and increase the total balance cap for everyone to $1.7m. This removes the complexity and is fairer than some of the other solutions. Why should the date a person commences a pension determine how much that pension should be? Clearly this is unfair”

“BGL needs to implement these changes in our market leading Simple Fund 360 SMSF admin software by 1 July 2021. Implementing partial indexation without access to ATO total balance cap data is going to result in many errors” noted Lesh. “Something needs to be done – and fast”.

BGL has over 6,000 clients representing over 200,000 SMSFs using it’s multi award winning Simple Fund 360 SMSF admin software. “It would be really nice if the government took into account the practical implementation issues of the legislation and made changes to help accountants who have already beared the brunt of the work around JobKeeper of the past 12 months” Lesh said.

February 11, 2021
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24 lessons for 24 years

By BGL UpdateNo Comments

Today I turn 24 years of age at BGL!

Yes, more than 1/2 of my life! And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

As I reflect on my time, I would like to share with you my 24 lessons for 24 years.

To my BGL family members, clients, community + friends, I celebrate you today.

Excited by that which is ahead.

24 lessons for 24 years

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1

True leadership is rare and BGL has what I would consider one of the best!

2

Belief is the greatest gift you can give someone.

3

Servanthood and humility are the foundations of leadership.

4

A leader’s role is to mitigate and eliminate fear and free your people for greatness.

5

Words have the power to inspire or destroy.

6

Set the stage, draw the curtain, marvel and celebrate the accomplishments of people.

7

Being candid with someone is the basis of trust and respect.

8

Relationships are the platform for trust and engagement. Trust does not just happen. It is earned.

9

Pull your competitors tail every now and again. It’s good fun.

10

When the crap hits the fan, dust yourself off, stare failure in the mirror. Don’t bow down to it or be intimidated by it. Failure doesn’t determine destiny.

11

Winning alone means your accomplishments are selfish.

12

Make every touch point with your clients, community and people remarkable.

13

Sacrifice is the foundation of success and growing people.

14

Listening is the greatest form of respect you can show to someone.

15

Culture doesn’t just happen. It requires a daily commitment of time and effort.

16

Connect people to the greater good by aligning them to the why.

17

Deliver to market products and services that astound your audience.

18

Wisdom comes from living, observing, learning, trying, failing and winning.

19

A lived experience is the great enabler and pathway to opportunity.

20

People matter. Make people feel special, connected, loved and heard. Genuinely love people.

21

Honour and never forget those that have invested in you to make you who are today. Honour them by doing the same with someone else.

22

Sorry shouldn't be the hardest word.

23

Passion, values, integrity cannot be taught. They are instilled in your DNA.

24

Nothing is permanent.

February 10, 2021
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