Core Insights - Merit Financial Advisors has acquired SSC Wealth, which manages approximately $259.6 million in assets, focusing on high-net-worth individuals and business owners [1] - This acquisition marks Merit’s first in 2026 and its 53rd overall, following the previous acquisition of BluePrint Wealth Advisors, which added over $1.2 billion in assets [3] Company Details - SSC Wealth will transition four members, including Bert Falley and Michele Hammann, to Merit Financial Advisors [1] - Hammann will serve as regional vice president and partner at Merit while continuing her role as chief strategy officer at SSC CPAs + Advisors [2] Strategic Importance - The acquisition establishes a long-term alliance between Merit and SSC CPAs + Advisors, enhancing the wealth management expertise and capabilities available to clients [4] - Clients of Merit will gain access to advanced tax planning and business advisory resources from SSC, while SSC clients will benefit from easier access to Merit's wealth management services [5] Leadership Perspective - Merit CEO Rick Kent emphasized that this acquisition is not traditional but focuses on organic growth and differentiation, aiming to provide comprehensive wealth management while partnering with a respected CPA firm [6]

Core Insights - Merit Financial Advisors is pursuing both inorganic and organic growth through the acquisition of SSC Wealth, a financial advice team valued at $260 million [2] - The acquisition will bring four advisors to Merit, including Michele Hammann, who will take on a dual role as regional vice president and partner while continuing as chief strategy officer at SSC CPAs + Advisors [2][3] - The partnership aims to enhance client services by combining tax expertise from SSC with Merit's wealth management capabilities [4][6] Inorganic Growth - Merit has acquired SSC Wealth, which is part of SSC CPAs + Advisors, based in Topeka, Kansas [2] - SSC Wealth has a focus on high-net-worth individuals and business owners, providing tax strategy and business valuation services [5] - The acquisition is part of a trend where RIAs are increasingly integrating CPA services, with examples from both large and smaller firms [4] Organic Growth - Michele Hammann will facilitate organic growth by fostering referral collaboration and joint client engagement between Merit and SSC [3] - The partnership will allow Merit clients to access SSC's tax planning and business advisory services, while SSC clients can work with Merit's wealth managers [6] Industry Context - A recent survey indicated that 57% of RIA executives offer tax planning services, and 22% provide tax preparation [5] - The collaboration between RIAs and CPAs has been evolving, with many firms opting to bring tax services in-house [4]

Core Insights - Wealth Enhancement has acquired Spectrum Wealth Management and its affiliated accounting firm Putman Group, enhancing its team and client asset management capabilities [1][2] - The acquisition increases Wealth Enhancement's total assets under management to over $131.2 billion [2][5] - Spectrum Wealth Management specializes in comprehensive financial planning and tax planning, which aligns with Wealth Enhancement's integrated wealth management model [3][4] Company Overview - Spectrum Wealth Management, founded in 2002, focuses on financial and tax planning, risk management, and investment management for business clients and high-net-worth individuals [3] - Putman Group, established in 1991, is associated with Spectrum Wealth Management and enhances the firm's tax planning services [3] Strategic Implications - The acquisition is Wealth Enhancement's 100th, following the recent purchase of Wise Wealth, which added $464 million in client assets [5] - The integration of Spectrum Wealth Management is expected to provide clients with greater resources and support, fulfilling the firm's promise to help clients prosper [4]

Core Insights - Tax planning is becoming a critical advisory service, with nearly 70% of high-net-worth clients prioritizing tax reduction, yet less than half of advisors currently offer this service [2][4] - The demand for integrated wealth management that includes tax strategy in every decision is increasing, shifting from a value-add to a necessity [5] - Advisors are facing evolving client inquiries regarding the impact of new tax laws on various financial aspects, indicating a need for more sophisticated tax planning [6] Industry Trends - Americans paid over $206 billion in capital gains taxes last year, highlighting the significant financial impact of tax planning [2] - A growing emphasis on transition management is noted, particularly when clients bring 401(k)s in-house, which can lead to substantial capital gains taxes if not managed properly [5] - Only 53% of advisors working with clients holding $5 million or more offer tax planning services, compared to just 38% for those with clients under $100,000 [7] Advisory Practices - Traditional tax planning methods are evolving from end-of-year tax-loss harvesting to more frequent management, such as monthly or weekly strategies [4] - Firms are hesitant to invest in the necessary expertise for effective tax planning, viewing it as a costly endeavor despite the potential for performance gains being eroded by taxes [4] - The need for advisors to adapt to the changing landscape of client expectations and regulatory impacts is emphasized, with a call for a more proactive approach to tax strategy [6]