Merit Financial Advisors has acquired SSC Wealth LLC, the wealth management division of SSC CPAs + Advisors, adding roughly $259.6 million in assets under management and formalizing a long-term partnership to expand tax planning and advisory support for high-net-worth clients and business owners.
The transaction moves SSC Wealth’s advisory business, assets, and employees to Merit, while SSC CPAs + Advisors remains independent and fully employee-owned. The firms said the partnership is designed to strengthen coordination between financial planning and advanced tax strategy, with teams collaborating more directly on shared clients.
Four SSC Wealth professionals are joining Merit as part of the deal, including wealth manager and partner Bert Falley. Michele Hammann will assume an expanded position as regional vice president and partner at Merit, while continuing in her role as chief strategy officer at SSC CPAs + Advisors. Merit said Hammann’s dual role is intended to deepen relationships between SSC’s accountants and Merit’s advisors, supporting referrals and joint client engagement.
The deal is Merit’s 53rd acquisition and its first announced in 2026. It follows Merit’s prior acquisition of BluePrint Wealth Advisors, which added more than $1.2 billion in assets under management and marked an entry into the Chicagoland market.
Merit leadership framed the arrangement as a growth strategy built around collaboration rather than vertical integration. SSC CPAs + Advisors employs more than 95 professionals and focuses on advanced tax planning, business succession strategies, and accounting services for complex client situations, according to the announcement. Merit said the partnership will provide its clients—particularly business owners and high-net-worth households—access to SSC’s tax and business advisory capabilities, while SSC clients will have a pathway to expanded wealth management services through Merit. Merit also said the relationship could strengthen its positioning in custodial referral programs, where tax planning is frequently cited as a key client need.
Merit Financial Advisors, based in Atlanta, supports both independent broker-dealer and registered investment adviser models and operates more than 55 offices across the U.S. The firm reported $20.78 billion in assets as of Sept. 30, 2025, including $15.83 billion in advisory assets, $2.65 billion in brokerage assets, and $2.3 billion in retirement assets.
KEY QUOTES:
“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.”
Rick Kent, CEO, Merit Financial Advisors
“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.”
Brian Lang, Chief Executive Officer, SSC CPAs + Advisors
“One of the biggest advantages for clients is simply alignment. Their Merit advisor and the SSC CPA can speak directly, collaborate in joint meetings, and make decisions together, all with the client at the center.”
Josh Mersberger, Managing Principal and Partner, Merit Financial Advisors
“Many firms say they offer tax planning, but it’s often limited or white-labeled tax preparation services. SSC CPAs + Advisors is a true strategic tax planning firm. This partnership allows us to bring that level of expertise to clients without compromise.”
Josh Mersberger, Managing Principal and Partner, Merit Financial Advisors
