Count models new portfolios

The CountFinancial dealer group has added a series of three multi-manager portfolios to the list of recommended investment funds for its network of financial advisers.

The portfolios, formally launched at the group’s annual conference in New Zealand earlier this month, will include a capital stable, balanced and growth investment option.

The three options, developed by Count’s internal research team, are built-up from a range of fund managers already on Count’s recommended list, all of which are rated A or AA by van Eyk Research.

Count managing director Barry Lambert says the funds will be pitched as model multi-manager portfolios for its advisers, although advisers using the funds will have some flexibility to add or delete managers from each of the options.

The release of the new portfolios coincides with Count’s appointment of Stephen Aguilera-Mendoza as the general manager of Compound, the group’s new dealer group for independent financial advisers.

Mendoza, a former wrap account manager at Count before leaving the group last year to work as a financial planner, will replace John Mack who has departed Compound.

Count has also released a new paraplanning service for its advisers.

Lambert says advisers tied to Count who do not have in-house paraplanning staff will be able to access the service for a fee.