TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EP Wealth Advisors, LLC (“EP Wealth”), an independent registered investment adviser (“RIA”) on a mission to provide clients with personalized advice through integrated financial planning, investment management, and tax and estate planning, announced its partnership with Sound Financial Planning Inc. (“Sound Financial”). The merger expands EP Wealth’s footprint in Washington state to include Mt. Vernon and Friday Harbor.
Founded in 1982 by William “Bill” Morrissey, Sound Financial Planning offers personalized financial planning with a holistic approach, taking into consideration all aspects of their clients' situation. They provide planning services to high-net-worth individuals and families, with a specialty in retirement and estate planning. Bill, Tammy Prouty, Vice President of the firm, and Client Services Specialist Sheryl Jakel will join the EP Wealth team. Morrissey will assume the role of Senior Wealth Advisor/Partner and Prouty will be Vice President/Partner.
“The client-first philosophy at Sound Financial Planning parallels ours here at EP,” said Patrick Goshtigian, CFA, President and CEO of EP Wealth. “Their team is committed to changing the lives of clients through personalized, holistic service and financial planning that takes all aspects of the client's life into account. We are thrilled to welcome the Sound Financial team to the EP family and look forward to tapping into our potential in the Mt. Vernon and Friday Harbor communities.”
“At Sound Financial Planning we strive to assist our clients in living their best lives,” said Morrissey. “I am thrilled to be able to extend to our clients the deep resources and talent that EP Wealth has to offer, while maintaining the philosophy and values that we uphold. We could not have found a better partner than EP and are excited to begin this journey.”
The merger marks EP Wealth’s 19th transaction in a five-year period of strategic growth for the firm. Since taking a minority investment from Wealth Partners Capital Group in July 2017, EP Wealth has partnered with firms in California, Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, Texas and Utah. To date in 2021, the firm acquired the business of Homewood Capital Management in Danville, CA, Abbas Heydari, CFP®, a Torrance, Calif.-based advisor, and New Focus Financial Group, an RIA with offices in Vancouver, Wash. and San Mateo, Calif. EP Wealth has also experienced significant organic growth year-to-date and plans to expand its staff heading into 2022.
The deal closed on November 19, 2021, and will increase EP Wealth’s assets under management by more than $103 million. Financial and legal terms of the deal will not be disclosed.
About EP Wealth Advisors
EP Wealth Advisors, LLC (“EP Wealth”) is a fee-only registered investment adviser and financial planning firm based in Torrance, Calif., with offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, Calif., San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Portland, Ore., Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas and Chicago. The firm manages more than $13.3 billion in AUM as of September 30, 2021, and provides client-centric financial planning and investment management services to individuals and businesses. EP Wealth is led by co-founders and Managing Directors Derek Holman, CFP ®, AIF ®, Brian Parker, CFP ® and President and CEO Patrick Goshtigian, CFA ®. For more information, please visit www.epwealth.com.
About Wealth Partners Capital Group
Wealth Partners Capital Group (“WPCG”) is a financial services holding company, which has partnered with EP Wealth Advisors (“EP Wealth”). WPCG assists EP Wealth by identifying and integrating like-minded registered investment advisers who are seeking access to expanded business capabilities, strategic growth and customized transition solutions. The WPCG management team is led by partners John W. Copeland, Rich Gill and Sean Bresnan. For more information, please visit www.wealthpcg.com.
