Merit Financial Advisors, based in Georgia, has acquired SSC Wealth, the wealth management arm of SSC CPAs + Advisors for an undisclosed sum.  

SSC Wealth oversees around $259.6m in assets. 

The company mainly works with high-net-worth individuals and business owners, with a focus on tax planning and business valuation. 

As part of the deal, four members from SSC Wealth will move Merit Financial Advisors.  

Among them are Bert Falley, who will continue as wealth manager and partner, and Michele Hammann.  

Hammann will become regional vice president and partner at Merit Financial Advisors while remaining chief strategy officer at SSC CPAs + Advisors. 

Her new responsibilities will include fostering collaboration between the CPA team at SSC and Merit’s advisers. 

SSC CPAs + Advisors CEO Brian Lang said: “Merit’s people, values, and team approach to advising mirror our own, and that alignment ultimately benefits the clients we serve. 

“This partnership will strengthen our ability to support clients with deeper wealth management expertise and broader capabilities, which propels our ability in helping clients achieve their financial goals.” 

This acquisition is the first for Merit in 2026 and represents its 53rd overall.  

The firm’s previous acquisition was BluePrint Wealth Advisors, which brought more than $1.2bn in assets under management and expanded Merit’s reach into the Chicago area. 

Merit said that though it is taking over SSC Wealth’s advisory services, assets, and staff, the deeper importance of the deal is in also establishes the long-term alliance between its business and SSC CPAs + Advisors.  

SSC CPAs + Advisors remains independent and employee-owned. The firm employs over 95 professionals with experience in tax planning, business succession, and accounting for complex cases. 

The partnership will provide Merit’s clients with access to advanced tax planning and business advisory resources from SSC, while clients of SSC will be able to use Merit’s wealth management services more easily. 

Merit anticipate that the relationship will support Merit’s role in custodial referral programmes, where comprehensive tax planning is often needed by clients. 

Merit CEO Rick Kent said: “This is not a traditional acquisition. 

“This is about organic growth, differentiation, and doing what’s best for clients. We believe deeply in staying true to our core area of focus, comprehensive wealth management. Rather than bringing our tax services exclusively in-house, we are also partnering with one of the most respected CPA firms in the country so our clients can benefit from their expertise.”