08 July 2026
4 min read
Managed accounts are shifting from implementation tools to solutions that deliver measurable client impact.
Summary
The real value of managed accounts lies not simply in how they are structured, but in what they enable and the impact they make. At their best, they make portfolios sweat for clients—doing the hard work in the background to maintain alignment, manage change and deliver more consistent outcomes over time.
The shift underway and changing expectations
This matters because expectations in advice are changing. The focus is no longer just on constructing portfolios efficiently, but on demonstrating how those portfolios continue to support client outcomes—remaining aligned to goals, relevant to changing circumstances and resilient through different market conditions.
At the same time, the advice model itself is evolving. Access to advice remains under pressure, client expectations continue to rise, and advisers are expected to deliver more value across a broader and more complex client base. In this environment, scalable and consistent investment solutions are becoming foundational to how advice is delivered in practice.
Scaling advice to bring advisers closer to clients
For many advisers, this is leading to a clearer separation between investment management and advice. Portfolio construction and implementation can be managed professionally and consistently, while advisers focus on understanding client needs, guiding decision-making and supporting long-term outcomes.
What’s important is that this shift brings advisers closer to clients, not further away. The role of advice is not just about managing portfolios, but about helping clients stay connected to their strategy—understanding what they own, why it matters and how it supports their goals over time.
Framing value in terms of client outcomes
In that sense, managed accounts are not just structured solutions—they are increasingly being used to meet the expectations that now sit at the centre of advice: greater clarity, stronger alignment to goals and more consistent client outcomes.
The opportunity for advisers is not simply to adopt managed accounts, but to articulate the value they deliver in a way that resonates with clients—framing them in terms of outcomes, not features.
Supporting advisers to bring value to life
As the industry continues to evolve, managed accounts will play an increasingly important role in how advice is delivered in practice.
We see our role as helping advisers bring that value to life—supporting them to clearly articulate how investment solutions contribute to better client outcomes.
I look forward to continuing that conversation and sharing more in our upcoming discussion paper exploring how managed accounts support client outcomes.
Frances Taylor
Executive Director, Managed Accounts
Colonial First State
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Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979, AFSL 245531 (AIL) is the trustee of the Avanteos Superannuation Trust ABN 38 876 896 681 and issuer of CFS Edge Super and Pension. Colonial First State Investments Limited ABN 98 002 348 352, AFSL 232468 (CFSIL) is the Investor Directed Portfolio Service (IDPS) operator, administrator and custodian of the Avanteos Wrap Account Service and issuer of CFS Edge Investments. CFSIL is also the issuer and responsible entity of the Colonial First State Separately Managed Account (Scheme) ARSN 618 390 051, of which the Signature Managed Account is a class of interest. This webpage is based on current requirements and laws as at 15 June 2026. While all care has been taken in preparing the information contained in this webpage (using reliable and accurate sources), to the extent permitted by law, no one including AIL and/or CFSIL, nor any related parties, their employees or directors, accept responsibility for loss suffered by anyone from reliance on this information. This webpage provides general information for the adviser only and is not to be handed to any investor. It doesn’t take into account anyone’s individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances. You should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Investor Directed Portfolio Service Guide (IDPS Guide) and Financial Services Guide (FSG) before making any recommendations to a client. The PDS, IDPS Guide and FSGs can be obtained via cfs.com.au/cfsedge or by calling us on 1300 769 619.