Colonial First State strengthens managed accounts offering as adviser demand surges

• Colonial First State (CFS) has continued to grow its managed accounts footprint. As at June 30 2026, $24 billion is invested in CFS managed accounts, a 33% increase since the previous financial year. 
• CFS has broadened the range of investment solutions available to advisers by expanding its CFS Edge Signature menu and its FirstChoice Specialist menu. 
• In FY27, CFS will continue investing in its managed accounts capabilities, with a focus on enhancing technology, functionality, and portfolio choice.

28 July 2026

CFS has unveiled a series of enhancements to its managed accounts suite, amid strong growth in client demand and continued momentum across the sector. As at June 30 2026, $24 billion is invested in CFS managed accounts, representing a 33% increase since last financial year. 

The CFS Edge Signature menu has been strengthened with the inclusion of the CFS 150 portfolio, Pendal Australian Equity, and Russell Short-Term and Medium-Term retirement-focused portfolios. This menu now offers advisers and clients the choice of over 185 portfolios from 32 leading portfolio managers.

The addition of the Russell portfolios builds on the introduction of Betashares Retirement Income and Elston Income portfolios in late 2025, reinforcing CFS’s focus on delivering solutions to support clients in and approaching retirement.

CFS has also recently expanded its FirstChoice Specialist menu with the addition of the Drummond Index Plus portfolios.

The updates are designed to continue supporting advisers and their clients with high-quality investment solutions, broadened manager choice and robust portfolio construction, while preserving the governance and oversight advisers expect. They also offer more solutions for retirement income needs through different market environments. 

Frances Taylor, Executive Director for Managed Accounts at CFS, said: “Today’s clients are the drivers of change. They're empowered by stronger financial awareness, the ability to access information whenever and wherever they are. 

“The strongest case for managed accounts, in our view, is client confidence. Clients want to understand what they own, why decisions are being made on their behalf and how their investments are being managed through all market cycles.”  

Moving into FY27, CFS will continue investing in technology and capabilities designed to support advisers and improve client outcomes. This includes enhancements to its Digital Reporting Hub, with new features providing deeper portfolio insight, including a market-leading portfolio comparison tool, enhanced search and filtering capabilities, and flexible new ways for portfolio managers to share commentary and alerts with advisers.

Adoption continues to accelerate

The announcement comes as new industry research highlights the increasing maturity and adoption of managed accounts across Australia's financial advice sector.

According to Investment Trends, managed accounts are becoming increasingly mainstream, with adoption among advisers now exceeding 60 per cent and the strongest uptake seen in larger advice practices.¹

The research also found managed accounts are driving meaningful operational efficiencies for advice practices, with 70 per cent of advisers citing simplified portfolio management and 60 per cent reporting time savings as key benefits. These efficiencies are increasingly being reinvested into deeper client engagement and improved practice economics.

Media enquiries

Katarina Taurian, Senior Manager, External Communications, Colonial First State

katarina.taurian@cfs.com.au