Planner background a path to SPAA

A former national technical manager at OnePath Australia has been appointed to the top professional standards role at the Self-Managed Super Fund Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA).

Graeme Colley will fill the new role of director of education and professional standards, which has been established to drive the development of SPAA’s established professional standards and education program.

He joins from ANZ’s financial services arm OnePath Australia, where he had worked since 2001.

Colley’s most recent role was as national technical manager at OnePath, where was responsible for providing technical advice on strategies relating to superannuation, Centrelink, aged care and taxation to over 2100 financial planners, key accounts and users of OnePath products.

Andrea Slattery, CEO for SPAA said members would benefit from Colley’s experience and knowledge of the SMSF sector.

“I am delighted to announce Graeme’s appointment. Graeme is well known for his broad expertise and excellent track record in the superannuation industry and his addition to our executive team further strengthens SPAA’s relevance and growing membership platform,” she said.

Colley brings over 30 years’ experience relating to taxation and superannuation in senior roles in the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and as an assistant commissioner of the Insurance and Superannuation Commission.

These roles have included formulating and implementing policy, developing legislation and providing technical advice.

He has also worked for fund managers and consultants, including Macquarie Bank, WM Mercer and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

“The opportunity to be further involved in an organisation that continues to go from strength to strength in representing a significant part of the Australian superannuation industry is something not to be missed,” said Colley.

“Education of professionals and continuous professional development is imperative in an industry which will continue to change dynamically in the immediate future.”

Colley is also a joint author of publications, which include the CCH Master Financial Planning Guide and Financial Planning in Australia.

He lectures at the ATAX Masters course at the University of NSW and in the Masters of Commerce (Financial Planning) course at the University of Western Sydney.