Secure. Structure. Manage.
Trust Consulting and Specialist Advice
Trust consulting and administration require more than technical compliance. They require ongoing oversight, structured processes and informed decision-making. Not all trusts fail at creation. Many fail in how they are managed.
Auxilium provides both the expertise and the systems required to ensure trusts are managed correctly from the outset and throughout their lifecycle.
The following are examples of what consulting and specialist advice may cover:
Analysing and interpreting the trust instrument to assist trustees with important decision-making processes.
Advice on the structuring of transactions that involve the trust, including the legislative, financial and tax implications of these transactions.
Ascertaining the role of a trust within a bigger estate-planning structure, including the cash-flow and tax implications for the parties.
In-depth tax planning for specific transactions involving the trust as well as in the trust. Providing opinions on the tax consequences of specific transactions involving the trust.
Assessing and advising on the implications of the tax consequences of a transaction(s) and mitigating potential risks to ensure compliance with tax laws but limiting tax exposure.
This level of guidance ensures that trustees are not making decisions in isolation, but with a clear understanding of the legal, financial and practical implications.
Trust Administration and Compliance
Trust administration includes ensuring that the trust is managed in accordance with its founding instrument (deed or Will) and all applicable legislation. We provide structured trust administration services to ensure that all administrative trust obligations are managed efficiently, accurately and timeously in line with the trust instrument and regulatory- and legislative compliance requirements.
This includes managing documentation, maintaining compliance registers and supporting trustees in meeting their fiduciary responsibilities. The administration services are managed on the Trusteeze platform, ensuring that there is a clear audit trail of all transactions involving the trust and that all relevant documentation is safeguarded, while easily accessible to approved users. Effective administration is not only about record keeping. It is about ensuring that every action taken within the trust is compliant, documented and aligned with its purpose.
Trust Accounting and Tax Administration
Accurate financial management is essential to maintain transparency and accountability in a trust.We offer support to trustees with the financial and tax aspects of trust administration, including:
• Maintaining up-to-date asset registers.
• Capturing of financial information.
• Recording transactions with accountable institutions.
• Advice on trust tax compliance.
• Assistance with trust tax compliance – including registration, filing (including preparation of organogram for beneficial ownership submission) and other tax matters.
These services ensure that trustees remain fully informed and compliant with regulatory obligations.
Trust Accounting and Tax Administration
Trusts are subject to specific legal, regulatory and administrative requirements. We assist and guide our clients in complying with the legislative, statutory and regulatory processes to establish and maintain a trust.
These services include:
- New trust deed drafting and registration with the regulatory authority.
- Trust deed amendments.
- Obtain copies of the trust Deed and/or Letters of Authority.
- Trustee appointments and resignations.
- Registering change of accountant or updating other relevant information.
- Submission of beneficial ownership records to the regulating authority.
Independent Trustee Services
We provide independent trustee services in accordance with the Chief Master’s Directive of 2017. The role of an independent trustee is to ensure responsible governance and appropriate separation between control and enjoyment of benefits.
This includes:
- Ensuring the provisions of the trust instrument are complied with
- Participation in decision-making whilst ensuring oversight of trustee deliberations and decisions.
- Supporting responsible governance and compliance.
Independent oversight plays a critical role in strengthening governance, reducing conflicts and ensuring that trustee decisions remain objective and compliant.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you are:
- Considering setting up a trust
- Already a trustee and unsure about your responsibilities
- Concerned about compliance or tax exposure
It may be time to seek professional guidance.