Shirley Schaefer

Shirley leads the Superannuation team at BDO in South Australia. She is a recognised industry expert and a passionate advocate of her clients, team and industry.

The Superannuation service line provides a range of compliance, accounting, and taxation and audit services for self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), both directly and as a back office function for a range of client service providers. Working in cooperation with the Wealth Management team, Shirley is able to support the delivery of strategic superannuation services and advice. Speaking engagements, training and workshops with the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ), SMSF Association (SMSFA), Tax & Super Australia (TSA) and The Tax Institute (TIA) illustrate her industry leadership.

With more than 20 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant, Shirley joined the South Australian firm in 1994, commencing as an auditor. In 1996, she established a separate Superannuation service line; now one of the largest, dedicated super teams in BDO, servicing over 800 SMSFs. Shirley became a Director in 2001 and was appointed BDO’s National Lead Partner for Superannuation in 2010.

• Winner – SMSF Adviser SMSF and Accounting Awards (SA) 2017: SMSF Specialist Accountant of the Year & Editor’s Choice Award.

Services

• SMSF administration, compliance & advisory
• SMSF audit
• SMSF Auditor quality reviews (peer reviews for other SMSF auditors)
• Financial services industry (including superannuation funds, trustees and financial planners) advisory
• Interpretation & technical advice, Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 and legislative compliance based requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts (Accountancy)
• Advance Diploma of Financial Services (Superannuation)
• Diploma of Financial Planning
• Registered SMSF Auditor
• SMSF Specialist Auditor™
• SMSF Specialist Advisor™
• Registered Company Auditor

Affiliations

• Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Division Committee Award for contribution to ASFA
• SMSF Association Chairman’s Award for contribution to SMSFA and the SMSF sector
• Fellow, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
• Fellow, Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA)
• Fellow Member, SMSF Association
• Chair, SMSF Policy Committee of ASFA 2010 - 2012
• Member, Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board (APESB) Independence Taskforce
• Committee member, SMSFA – SA Chapter
• Committee member, ASFA – SA Chapter