Separately Managed Accounts and Their Potential Benefits to Investors
Separately managed accounts (SMAs) may offer unique advantages compared with other investments because they provide the freedom and flexibility to tailor your portfolio to address your personal preferences — making your account “separate” and distinct from all others.
Key Takeaways
A separately managed account (SMA) is a type of investment advisory account that can hold a diversified mix of stocks, bonds, cash and other individual securities, managed by a professional money manager.
Some of the most attractive features provided in a separately managed account include: direct ownership of securities, greater tax efficiency, portfolio customization, and an easy-to-understand fee structure.
SMAs were once limited to just institutions and ultra-high net worth investors. However, thanks to advances in technology, SMAs are becoming more widely available to a broader group of investors.
As a financial advisor who works with high-net-worth investors, I believe SMAs provide key advantages over mutual funds or other pooled investment vehicles.
As your wealth grows, you may find that you seek more control, better transparency, and the ability to customize your portfolio to your goals, objectives, and values. While there are a number of ways to build a diversified portfolio — including individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds – separately managed accounts (SMAs) may offer unique advantages compared with other investment vehicles.
For many years, SMAs have been limited to just institutions and ultra-high net worth investors. For those investors who did not have access to a SMA, they may have been using less-optimal investment vehicles, like mutual funds. However, thanks to advances in technology, SMAs are becoming more widely available to a broader group of investors.
As a financial advisor who works with high-net-worth investors, I believe SMAs are superior investment vehicles. As a part of my wealth planning approach, I generally recommend that investors consider the benefits of SMAs and how they can address personal preferences, objectives, and risk tolerance.
What is a separately managed account?
A separately managed account is a type of investment advisory account that can hold a diversified mix of stocks, bonds, cash and other individual securities, managed by a professional money manager, which can potentially be tailored to meet specific investment objectives — such as tax efficiency and the exclusion of certain securities from your portfolio. In a SMA you own individual securities and have the freedom and flexibility to tailor the portfolio to address your personal preferences — making your account “separate” and distinct from all others.
How can an SMA work for you?
Some of the most attractive features provided in a separately managed account include:
Direct ownership of securities: You own the securities purchased for your account. Your money is not pooled with that of other investors, providing you with significantly more control and transparency than a mutual fund.
Greater tax efficiency: The cost basis for each security in your portfolio is established at the time of purchase, so you are not subject to gains earned by other shareholders as you might be in a mutual fund. This enables you to coordinate year-end tax management with your tax professional.
Customization of your portfolio: SMAs are built based on your personal investment goals, objectives, and values — allowing you to exclude specific companies or industries that do not align with your social, political, or environmental principles.
Easy-to-understand fee structure: SMAs typically charge a single fee based on assets under management rather than load fees, management fees, and operating expenses charged by mutual funds.
Comparing separately managed accounts versus mutual funds
Accessing SMAs at Edwards Asset Management
Whether you are looking to maximize growth, generate retirement income, or pass your wealth efficiently to your heirs, SMAs can be utilized to achieve defined outcomes through thoughtfully crafted return and income objectives.
At Rob Edwards Wealth, I combine quantitative and qualitative methodologies to create personalized investment strategies that integrate seamlessly with tailored financial plans, helping you stay on track to achieve your financial goals.
Rob Edwards is a Managing Director and Senior PIM® Portfolio Manager at Edwards Asset Management. Rob is a nationally recognized advisor who helps millionaire families navigate the complexities of their wealth. The firm has offices in Naples and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network does not provide legal or tax advice. Be sure to consult your own tax advisor and investment professional before taking any action that may involve tax consequences.
Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Edwards Asset Management is a separate entity from WFAFN.