Below is a collection of frequently asked questions and answers. We hope you find these helpful as you get to know the system. If you do not see an answer to your question, please contact the help desk on 0203 107 0050 or email us – adviser@morningstar.co.uk
Alerts
To set up an alert for a single security click New>Alert>Security. Chose the alert type, i.e. price % movement threshold crossed. Find the security then choose the type of notification
Client Portfolio
Click on “Portfolio Management” then “Securities in Portfolios.” To view which clients hold a certain security, tick the box, click on “Action” then “View portfolios with holdings”
To check which of the funds in your portfolio is not classified you will need to check if it has Portfolio Data. To do this, firstly select the Data Point “Portfolio Data Ready.” The fund which is not classified will say “No” in the column.
To reclassify the fund please find instructions below.
To access, click Tools, then click Edit Definition Master.
Security Reclassification
To reclassify a security, follow the instructions below:
1. Select Reclassification in the left-hand panel menu.
2. Click Add, then locate and select the security you wish to reclassify.
3. Tick the box to the left of the security, the click Action.
4. Click on Reporting Asset Class drop-down and select an asset class. ClickSave+Close
5. In the Classification Source column, click to select User Defined.
6. In the Classification column, click on the magnifying glass.
7. Select the Reporting Asset Class at the top of the page.
8. Enter the desired percentages for the asset classes, then click Save+Close.
9. Once complete, exit Definition Master and refresh Adviser Workstation
Note: You must enter percentages in the Classification dialog box in order for your reclassification to be recognized.
The changes you make to the composition of an asset class will affect the planning module, account asset allocation view, and the following reports: Current vs. Target, X-Ray, Snapshot, Performance by Asset Class, Performance History by Asset Class, and Portfolio by Asset Class. If you assign a new asset class but do not change the composition, the change will not be reflected
Yes. To create your own type of security go to Tools>Edit Definition Master
To add new clients go to the Client Management section and click on New/Individual Client. This will open the General box where you will be able to enter client details. NOTE: Fields in blue are required.
Once the details are filled in click Save in the top right.
Double click the name of your portfolio then click on Add Holding. This will open a new window with three tabs at the top. Click on the Cash tab and then on the magnifying glass. Hit Go. This will show you all cash holdings available in Adviser Workstation. The standard cash used is Default Cash (UK). Once selected please click on Add and OK. In the column 'Amount in Base Currency' type the amount you would like to include and click Finish at the bottom.
To change a client name go to Client Management section and double click on the name of the client, then choose Client Profile>General. Then type in the new details in Client name, First name and Last name boxes. To save the changes click Save on the right hand side.
To compare a client portfolio with a model portfolio you can create a Compare with Model report. To do this report please double click on the name of the portfolio, then go to Reports tab and choose Analytical Reports>Compare with Model.
To run this comparison on the chart please go to Tools>Portfolio Graphs>Investment Growth. Once the chart is generated click Edit Investments and within Universes click on the dropdown and select Model Portfolios. In the search box type in the name of the model portfolio and click Go. Once the name of the model is showing under Available records please select the model and click Add and OK.
To create a copy of your portfolio double click on the name of the client name then tick the box next to portfolio name. Go to Action\Edit\Copy Portfolio. In the new window which opens up you can change the name of the portfolio and the client for which the copy should be assigned to.
To change a benchmark for your portfolio double click the name of your portfolio then click on Profile\Settings and Portfolio Settings. Next to Primary Benchmark name click on the dropdown and choose Select Benchmark. Once the new window appears search for the desired benchmark. Once selected click on OK and then OK on Portfolio Setting tab.
To change the portfolio name double click on the name of the portfolio and then click on Profile/Settings and Portfolio Profile. Then in the box Portfolio Name type in the new name for your portfolio. To finish click on OK on the right hand side bottom corner.
Client Web Portal
You cannot change the email address once submitted. If you mistakenly submit the wrong email address, you should immediately click the Disable button to disable access, remove any reports from the Client Web Portal for that Client, and contact Customer Support to reset the login for that Client
Currency
Double click the name of your portfolio then click on Add Holding. This will open a new window with three tabs at the top. Click on the Cash tab and then on the magnifying glass. Hit Go. This will show you all cash holdings available in Adviser Workstation. The standard cash used is Default Cash (UK). Once selected please click on Add and OK. In the column 'Amount in Base Currency' type the amount you would like to include and click Finish at the bottom.
To change the currency in the Research area, go to Home>Settings then double click on Preferences under Research. Under currency, click the dropdown menu and select the currency of your choice.
Importing
In order to get started, please download the .zip file from the Skandia Website. This is done by clicking on Clients, then Download Client Data, selecting “All Products”, the corresponding adviser, and downloading the .zip file which appears at the bottom of the page after a short loading period. Please send the file to
adviser@morningstar.co.uk for reformatting. Once the file has been converted and sent back to you, please follow the steps below:
- Login to Adviser Workstation, click the Import button at the top
- Double click “Custodian & Accounting Templates – Positions with History”
- Choose the reformatted file from Skandia
- Click the “Skandia (Post Processed)” template
- Click the “Import” button
This will open the import blotter which gives you the opportunity to review the portfolios, positions prices and securities being imported. Look for items in red and red triangles. Items listed in red text need a security type to be defined in the “Security Type” column. Double click red triangles to choose share class. Once items in red have been addressed, click the “Post” button to finish the import.
Reporting
Once the second window is open click on CTRL + P on your keyboard
HINT: To see the same kind of data but in a different one page report, right click on the name of the fund and go to Investment Summary UK
To compare multiple portfolios tick the boxes next to portfolio names and go to Action>Portfolio Graphs>Investment Growth. You can compare up to 15 portfolios on one chart
To add your logo to your cover pages go to Home>Settings>Portfolio Accounting System Settings>Preferences where you can load your logo by clicking on magnifying glass next to Add Logo to Cover Page or Add Logo to Footer. Once the logo is uploaded click Save + Close.
This will also add your logo to Client Web Portals
To change your company details click File>Update Profile. On Update User Profile enter all new details and click Continue.
To compare two funds tick the boxes next to the fund names then go to Action>Fund vs. Fund. This will generate a report which can be printed or saved in PDF format.
It usually takes up to 5 working days for our database to process all last month end data. We kindly suggest trying to run the reports on at least 3rd working day of the new month.
Research
To search for funds without an ISIN, go to the Research area, click Life/Pension Funds then “Search." In the field name section you can select to search by a Sedol or MEX code. The results will show you the list of the funds for which you have included the MEX codes
A lack of portfolio data indicates that the fund company do not provide with portfolio data. To check this within your portfolio, click on “Edit View” and select the data point “Portfolio Data Ready”
The reason there may not be any performance data can be because the fund company currently do not provide with any performance data. To check this, within your portfolio,click “Edit View” and select the data point “Performance Data Ready.”
To check which of the funds in your portfolio is not classified you will need to check if it has Portfolio Data. To do this, firstly select the Data Point “Portfolio Data Ready.” The fund which is not classified will say “No” in the column.
To reclassify the fund please find instructions below.
To access, click Tools, then click Edit Definition Master.
Security Reclassification
To reclassify a security, follow the instructions below:
1. Select Reclassification in the left-hand panel menu.
2. Click Add, then locate and select the security you wish to reclassify.
3. Tick the box to the left of the security, the click Action.
4. Click on Reporting Asset Class drop-down and select an asset class. ClickSave+Close
5. In the Classification Source column, click to select User Defined.
6. In the Classification column, click on the magnifying glass.
7. Select the Reporting Asset Class at the top of the page.
8. Enter the desired percentages for the asset classes, then click Save+Close.
9. Once complete, exit Definition Master and refresh Adviser Workstation
Note: You must enter percentages in the Classification dialog box in order for your reclassification to be recognized.
The changes you make to the composition of an asset class will affect the planning module, account asset allocation view, and the following reports: Current vs. Target, X-Ray, Snapshot, Performance by Asset Class, Performance History by Asset Class, and Portfolio by Asset Class. If you assign a new asset class but do not change the composition, the change will not be reflected
Yes. To create your own type of security go to Tools>Edit Definition Master
To save your own data point set to default for a portfolio you must first go into the portfolio and click Tools>Settings>Set Default View. Scroll through and find your custom data set. Please note, this will only be applicable for that particular portfolio.
To change the data points in an investment list you will need to go into the investment list click on the View Drop Down Box and select “My Data Set”. Chose the data set and click “OK”. Once this is done click “Save” to keep that data set as a default for that investment list
The quickest way to find a fund is to click New>Investment List and in the Single Investment search box type the ISIN code of the fund . As you type the search will allow you to click on the fund if we have it in our database.
To change the currency in the Research area, go to Home>Settings then double click on Preferences under Research. Under currency, click the dropdown menu and select the currency of your choice.
Risk Tolerance Questionnaire
To view the definitions for different Risk Profiles go to a clients account and click on “Client Profile” then on “Risk Profile.” Click on each risk profile to get a description about that profile
To fill in the risk questionnaire double click the client's name then click on the Client Profile>Risk Profile>Questionnaire. Once the questionnaire is filled in click OK and Save
To access risk questionnaire go to the Client Management section then double click the name of one of your clients. Go to Client Profile>Risk profile and click on Print Blank Questionnaire
Training
The best way to familiarise yourself with the system is to attend our online classes. To register for the classes which re-occur every week, click here: https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1156941-V2J4VbuM3h
You can also contact our support team at adviser@morningstar.co.uk or at 0203 107 0050
You can register here for weekly training classes: https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1156941-V2J4VbuM3h
Training Videos are available under Home page>Articles + Commentary>Training>Click here for Adviser Workstation Training Videos. This will show you the list of various videos which are very useful.
You can also go to Adviser Workstation, then click Help>Index to find more information on a number of topics
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