ASIC took administrative action against 36 approved self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) auditors between January and June 2026, bringing its total actions against SMSF auditors in FY26 to 64.

The outcome represents a year-on-year increase in the number of actions taken against SMSF auditors.

The actions address serious breaches of auditor obligations and reinforce ASIC's focus on maintaining standards among gatekeepers responsible for auditing more than $1 trillion in SMSF assets in over 672,000 SMSFs.

ASIC took these actions for various breaches of the professional obligations of SMSF auditors, such as failing to maintain independence, non-compliance with auditing and assurance standards, non-compliance with continuing professional development requirements, failing to maintain practical experience, failing to lodge annual statements, and/or for not being a fit and proper person to remain registered as an approved SMSF auditor.

‘SMSF auditors play a fundamental role in promoting confidence and instilling trust in the entire SMSF sector’ ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke said.

‘It is crucial that SMSF auditors comply with their regulatory obligations. ASIC will continue to take action where they do not meet these obligations.’

Between 1 January 2026 and 30 June 2026, ASIC:

• disqualified 4 SMSF auditors,
• suspended 3 SMSF auditors,
• imposed additional conditions on 8 SMSF auditors; and
• cancelled the registration of 21 SMSF auditors.

Christopher Edwards, Derek Grima, Alexander Papazoglou and Bruce Rowntree were disqualified from being SMSF auditors. A disqualified SMSF auditor is placed on ASIC’s public banned and disqualified register.

Mussarut Mirza, Wenjie Jiang and Huan Yu’s SMSF auditor registrations were suspended for a period. The suspension period can be accessed by searching the SMSF auditor’s name in ASIC's Professional Registers Search. Ms Jiang requested ASIC reconsider its suspension decision, which has not been determined at the time of this media release.

Brendan Bastin, Liliya Bayazitova, Robert Florence, Sean Henbury, Ian Gath, Peter O’Keefe, Chi Truong and Diane Wills had additional conditions imposed on their SMSF auditor registrations. A full list of the conditions imposed can be accessed by searching the SMSF auditor’s name in ASIC's Professional Registers Search.

Marina Chan and Wesley Hindmarsh had their SMSF auditor registrations cancelled for failing to maintain practical experience and annual statement non-lodgement.

The registration of a further 19 SMSF auditors were cancelled by ASIC for failing to comply with their obligation to lodge multiple annual statements, one of which was subsequently reinstated after they sought a review of the decision. 

In January 2026 ASIC announced action taken against SMSF auditors in the second half of 2025 (26-010MR).

ASIC made a total of 64 SMSF auditor administrative decisions between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, resulting in the following actions:

• disqualification of 8 SMSF auditors,
• suspension of 3 SMSF auditors,
• imposition of additional conditions on 10 SMSF auditors; and
• cancellation of the registration of 43 SMSF auditors.

Background

Approved SMSF auditors are registered with ASIC under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SIS Act). ASIC and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) work closely together as co-regulators of SMSF auditors. The ATO monitors SMSF auditor conduct and may refer matters to ASIC. ASIC also monitors the SMSF auditor population for non-compliance with registration obligations.

ASIC may:

• make an order disqualifying or suspending a person from being an approved SMSF auditor,
• impose conditions on an SMSF auditor’s registration, or
• cancel the registration of an SMSF auditor.

SMSF auditors have the right to seek review of decisions that ASIC makes in relation to their registration under the SIS Act. They may request that ASIC reconsider a decision it has made against them. If the decision is confirmed or varied the SMSF auditor may apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal for further review of the confirmed or varied decision.

More information

• Further information can be found on ASIC's SMSF auditors webpage and in Regulatory Guide 243 Registration of self-managed superannuation fund auditors.
• Anyone can search for a registered SMSF auditor and their current status by checking ASIC's Professional Registers Search.