Expansion is on Accent’s mind

Melbourne-based adviser group Accent Investment Services is planning to add two more practices to operate under its brand this year and is also considering expanding interstate.

Accent has already established three branded outlets in Melbourne, one in the city and one each in its southern and eastern suburbs.

Chief executive officer Corinna Dieters says the group is looking for small to medium-sized quality businesses with qualified and experienced advisers that fit in with Accent's geographical spread.

The group wants to expand outside Melbourne and is also looking at establishing practices in other capital cities, although Dieters admits it "won't be easy moving to cities like Sydney."

Accent is also launching a separate insurance division to handle personal, risk and life insurance for both its own advisers and the public. The insurance operation is planned to start on March 1.

Further expansion plans for Accent will include boosting its consultancy service to independent advisers, which will become a separate division within the Accent group.

"We see this as a growing market," Dieters says. "We want to increase the scope of the activities and will look at adding extra consultants during the year."