i presume you are talking about an smsf (with an abn managed portfolio service) - it's not hard to manage a portfolio, particularly if you don't trade much and you make the investmnet decisions yourself - if you don't trade, looking after your affairs during the year should cost you zero
areas to ensure efficiency are: - have a single bank account in the fund (one that pays good interest - cmt's are fine) - keep full records during the year - print off the trading transaction history and portfolio at year end - maintain all assets with a single chess sponsor - don't drp unless a sizeable holding - don't use wrap accounts - proactively manage the number of investments held (don't let the fund become lazy by carrying lots of 'dogs') - ensure sufficient liquidity to enable the fund to pay it's own expenses (rather than you paying fees etc in lieu of contributions) - don't invest in managed funds where there is regular reinvestment / dist'n reinvested / rebates and or fees taken from the disposal of units
you don't need a fancy filing system - keep separate piles for - bank statements - dividend / dist'n notices - contract notes - holding statements - spp and other non-trade investment bits and pieces - ato corresp - general corresp