A light lunch will be provided and further details on the venues will be provided when you register. Please note that there is no charge to attend User Group sessions.

Greg Eden, Director at Eden Wiseman, explains the benefits of using V-Wrap to provide clients with transparency of their investments at a reasonable cost.

We are conscious of the current economic climate, and understand that the landscape for many players in the industry - our clients in particular - has changed. What do you do differently in your practice to weather the storm?

We are a ‘Fee for Service' business and most of the investment products we use are direct. We do not work for commissions or kickbacks. I think investors are generally becoming aware of this difference and are seeking out advisers who deliver solid investments in the most cost effective manner.

We believe that the existing business model of many adviser, where funds under advice is the driving factor may become unsustainable going into the future. 

I think the tap is going to dry up in time.

Building a practice using a robust business model that is cost efficient at the same time is paramount for our survival. 

We are providing our clients transparency in their investments, at reasonable cost and we are investing our client's money into investments they understand. 

It's a pretty compelling offer.

We often hear comments such as "I'm too busy handling client enquiries and producing reports to even consider implementing a new system", such as V-Wrap.  Are these the type of hurdles you came across at the beginning?

You just need to bite the bullet at some point.  It's a steep learning curve you're about to embark on.

In order to use V-Wrap successfully, you really need to devote the time to learn it. There's no other way to speed up the process.

The transition period (of data) is fairly daunting, but if you can steer your mind to concentrate on the goal posts, V-Wrap will make your life so much easier in the long run. 

We now say to our clients, "We make no commissions on your investments.  And if you want to see your financial position at any given time, I can easily put together a report by pressing a few buttons.  In fact, you have access to this information yourself."

How long have you been using V-Wrap and would you recommend it to others?

We have been using V-Wrap for a year, since March 2008.

Our revenue is up by 50% in the past year.  We haven't encountered clients in the past year questioning our services to them.  Once they are on V-Wrap, they know exactly what their financial situation is. 

There's no other product in the market to match V-Wrap's capabilities, for the same cost.

So yes, we would highly recommend it to others. 

winner of 2009 præmium scholarship

The Praemium Scholarship is awarded to a member of SPAA on completion of a detailed submission and who has demonstrated academic excellence, a commitment to higher learning and best practice standards in the SMSF sector.

The awardee for 2009 is Tracey Scotchbrook, a senior associate of Caffarelli Associates, a boutique accounting practice in Perth providing a range of taxation and accounting services to HNW individuals and SMEs. Tracey submitted an excellent application. She has been a member of SPAA since 2004 and was recently awarded the SSA designation.

Tracey's academic record includes a Masters in Taxation, a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and she is a CPA. In her submission she expressed her interest in studying at the University of Adelaide because the program provides a unique opportunity to complete a dedicated professional SMSF qualification at tertiary level. Tracey is looking to become more active in the SMSF sector, and within SPAA, and believes the opportunity to study with the University of Adelaide will complement her existing commitment to best practice.

Tracey has also recently committed to writing technical articles on behalf of SPAA and believes this opportunity will allow her to extend professionally. She hopes that further opportunities will also present to allow her to contribute to the ongoing growth, development and enhancement of the SMSF sector.

heffron special offer

The latest Heffron Super News edition aims to demystify some of the transitional rules surrounding in-house assets.  It considers the special concessions applicable to funds with unit trust and company investments dating back to 11 August 1999 and helps trustees and their advisers identify how much more funds can invest in these structures before the concessions end on 30 June 2009.  It explains the rules, identifies traps and opportunities for clients and highlights some action points that all funds in this position should consider.

Praemium clients are eligible for a free subscription to Heffron Super News.  Please send your details to heffron@heffron.com.au or go to http://www.heffron.com.au/ to register your interest.

other upcoming events

A number of seminars/roadshows will take place in the next few weeks that may be of interest to you. 

MYOB Accountants Resourcing Roadshow

MYOB Accountants Resourcing (MYOB AR) is a leading provider of SME and SMSF accounting services to accounting practices in Australia and New Zealand. As a proud user of Præmium's services, MYOB offers SMSF administration services that enable accounting practices to meet the compliance needs of their clients more easily without the HR overhead and costs associated with direct employment of a SMSF administration team.

Praemium is proud to support MYOB AR in the upcoming national roadshow:

• Melbourne - 30 April 2009 - 3.45 - 5.00pm at the MYOB, Southbank
• Sydney, 5 May 2009 - 3.45 - 5.00pm at Præmium offices, Sydney

• Brisbane, 6 May 2009 - 3.45 - 5.00pm at Hilton Hotel, Brisbane

• Adelaide, 12 May 2009 - 3.45 - 5.00pm at MYOB, Adelaide
• Perth, 13 May 2009 - 3.45 - 5.00pm at Duxton Hotel, Perth

Register your interest to attend the nearest Roadshow to you by emailing rsvp@praemium.com.au and quote MYOB AR Roadshow and city.  A more detailed agenda and confirmation of venue will be provided to you upon registration. Please note that there is no charge to attend this Roadshow.

FINH Seminar Series

A respected Queensland finance and accounting firm, FINH, is conducting a series of Secret to Successful Investment Strategies in a Slowing Economy seminars throughout South East Queensland in March and April 2009. 

Presenters will include acclaimed business speakers and investment experts Dr Jon Stanford, Peter Kelly, Graham Smith and David Harland.  David Harland's session will include a live demonstration of V-Wrap and how FINH has utilised this Praemium technology as part of their of wealth creation strategies for investors.

• Yatala - Thursday, 26^th March 2009
• Brisbane - Wednesday, 1^st April 2009

There is a charge of $45 to attend this seminar.  For more information and to register, please click here.

recent announcements & in the press

In case you missed the following recent announcement from Præmium, you can read it by clicking the link below:

• Præmium and BNP Paribas launch UK Discretionary and Platform Service
• Half yearly report and accounts

You can view other ASX Announcements at any time by visiting our website.

The following articles on Præmium may be of interest to you:

• Præmium teams up with BNP Paribas
• SMSFs beat the market

The information in this publication is of a general nature. While Præmium Limited and its related bodies (‘Præmium') endeavour to provide accurate and timely information Præmium do not guarantee that the information in this publication is accurate at the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily endorsed by Præmium. No responsibility is accepted by Præmium for the accuracy of that information, and Præmium in no way takes any responsibility whatsoever for material contained on external websites referred to in this publication.