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Client Portal Permission Sets: Deciding Client Access

Why Permission Sets Matter

Written by Michael Schwabe
Updated this week

Permission sets define how clients interact with their financial information in the Client Portal. Choosing the right permission set helps you:

  • Set clear boundaries for collaboration

  • Protect Asset-Map information

  • Match portal access to your advisory workflow

  • Avoid unnecessary follow-up or rework

Permission sets are not just technical settings โ€” they are relationship and workflow decisions.


What Is a Permission Set?

A permission set determines:

  • What a client can see in the Client Portal

  • What actions a client can take (if any)

Permission sets are assigned when you create a Client Portal link, and they can be updated or revoked later. Permission sets control report access. Portal links simply deliver access.


Standard Permission Sets

View Only

What it allows:

  • Client can view shared Asset-Map outputs

  • Client can review financial structure outside of meetings

What it prevents:

  • No suggested changes

  • No edits of any kind

When to use View Only:

  • Meeting preparation and transparency

  • Clients who prefer review without interaction

  • Early-stage or sensitive engagements

Default View Only Permission Sets

  • All Available (View Only): view multiple reports and the Asset-Map

  • Asset-Map Report (View Only): only makes the Asset-Map available for viewing

Suggesting Mode

What it allows:

  • Client can submit suggested updates to Asset-Map information

  • Suggestions are grouped and reviewed as drafts by the advisor

What it prevents:

  • Direct edits to live Asset-Map data

  • Changes without advisor approval

When to use Suggesting Mode:

  • Periodic data refreshes

  • Pre-meeting information gathering

  • Clients comfortable providing updates digitally

Default Suggesting Permission Set

  • Asset-Map Report Suggesting:

    • Displays no other reports other than the Asset-Map

    • Provides an interface for suggesting changes

Suggesting Mode is collaborative, not autonomous.


Custom Permission Sets

Custom permission sets allow you to fine-tune client access beyond standard options.

A Team Manager can control:

  • Which reports are visible

  • Which sections appear in the portal

  • Feature availability based on client role

Common use cases:

  • Spouses with different engagement levels

  • Family members with limited visibility

  • Business partners or collaborators

For more details please visit: Client Portal Custom Permission Set

Please note: This setting is not universally accessible; its availability depends on your compliance requirements. If you cannot access this page, it means your organization has restricted its availability.


Match Permission Set to Intent

Ask yourself:

  • Do I want information reviewed or updated?

  • Am I prepared to review suggested changes promptly?

Permission sets should support your process โ€” not create obligations you donโ€™t intend to fulfill.


Updating or Revoking Permission Set

Permission sets are not permanent.

You can:

  • Change permission set as client needs evolve

  • Revoke access entirely

  • Assign different permission set to different household members

For step-by-step instructions, see:


Relationship to Other Client Portal Features

Permission sets work within the broader Client Portal framework:

  • Applied when portal links are created

  • Enforced throughout portal use

  • Especially important when using Suggesting Mode

For operational details, see:

4/2026

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