About Me - My Biography

Rita Zappulla is the Principal of SMSF Strategic Advisors and Strategic Business Insights.  Rita has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry having commenced her career as a chartered accountant and now works as a certified financial planner and business coach/mentor. This combination of experience, expertise and qualifications gives Rita a comprehensive understanding of business structures and the Australian tax and superannuation laws.  In 2000 Rita began to specialise specifically in the financial planning sector, focusing on self-managed superannuation funds and superannuation advice, retirement
planning, estate planning and succession planning.

Rita is passionate about helping small business owners to retire, save tax and to be financially
independent for their retirement.

Rita is a Cairns local. Born there, she attended St Monica’s College before heading to Brisbane to complete her tertiary education at the University of Queensland. Family connections saw her return to Cairns, where she was employed with several leading accounting and financial planning firms, before deciding to start her own business.

Married to Brien Leibinger and they have two teenage sons and enjoy spending time with the family on weekends.

In her spare time she loves travelling overseas and in Australia. She also enjoys going to the gym and movies.

My Expertise

Rita has over 18 years’ experience in the financial services industry, providing clients with professional advice on a range of business and personal financial issues. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce (1988), Rita spent the next decade developing her expertise in a variety of financial / accounting service disciplines, at several nationally recognised accounting firms.

Rita is a chartered accountant,certified financial planner and registered tax agent.  Rita specialises in helping small business owners understand superannuation and help them to use a self managed superannuation fund to purchase a commercial property to use in their business.

My Passions

I am passionate about helping small business owners grow their business, save tax and plan for their retirement.  I have recently published my first book Today’s Profits, Tomorrows Freedom which aims to help small business better understand their financials and why if they start saving now while they are young can make a huge difference to their retirement in 10, 15 or 20 years time

My Interests

I love travelling overseas with my family every 12 to 18 months.  Enjoy spending time with my family and watching my sons play sport on the weekends.  I am a member of the Cairns Sunrise Rotary Club and enjoy supporting the projects our club organizes in the our local community.

How I Can Help Other Members

I can help other small business owners who may need help with business structuring advice, some tax advice and superannuation and financial planning advice.  I can help out with advice re personal insurance cover, binding death benefit nominations and self managed superannuation advice.

Why I Became a HerBusiness Member

I became a member of HerBusiness so I could get advice on how to grow my business.  I also enjoy learning from other members and being part of this wonderful network of women.  I look forward to contributing and helping other members save tax and plan for a comfortable retirement

My Member to Member Offer(s)

I would like to offer an initial financial planning meeting for a one and half hour interview by zoom for $250 to review your financial situation, tax returns, superannuation funds, and insurances.