Apella Wealth, a prominent registered investment advisor (RIA) headquartered in West Hartford, Connecticut, has achieved a significant milestone, crossing the $12 billion threshold in assets under management (AUM). This substantial growth was propelled by the successful completion of two strategic acquisitions within the past week, signaling a period of accelerated expansion for the firm. The announcements highlight Apella Wealth’s commitment to inorganic growth as a key driver of its market presence and service expansion.
The first of these pivotal acquisitions, announced on Tuesday, involved Morris Financial Concepts, a well-established RIA based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Founded in 1983 by Kyra Hollowell Morris, Morris Financial Concepts has cultivated a strong reputation over more than four decades, currently overseeing approximately $544 million in client assets. This integration will see Kyra Hollowell Morris, a seasoned industry veteran, join Apella Wealth, along with her son, James “Tucker” Morris, who serves as Chief Compliance Officer, and a team of ten dedicated staff members.
Kyra Hollowell Morris articulated the strategic rationale behind the acquisition, emphasizing a shared philosophy. "We spent more than a year thoughtfully searching for a firm that shared our fiduciary, planning-first approach and would allow us to continue serving clients the way we have for more than four decades," she stated in a press release. This statement underscores Apella Wealth’s dedication to maintaining its core values and client-centric service model while integrating new capabilities and expertise. According to the firm’s most recent Form ADV filing, Kyra Hollowell Morris was the majority owner of Morris Financial Concepts, with James Morris also holding a significant stake, indicating a smooth transition of leadership and ownership.
The momentum continued just a day later with Apella Wealth announcing the addition of Longview Financial Advisors, a California-based RIA with approximately $384 million in AUM. Based in San Rafael, Longview Financial Advisors was founded in 2018 by Tim Harrington. The firm primarily serves professionals, families, and retirees, providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management services. As per its latest Form ADV, Harrington was the sole owner of Longview Financial Advisors, facilitating a straightforward integration process.
Tim Harrington expressed his optimism regarding the partnership, highlighting the benefits for both clients and the firm. "This partnership allows us to expand the resources and expertise available to our clients while preserving the personal relationships, independent advice and fiduciary approach that have always defined Longview," Harrington remarked in an official statement. This sentiment suggests that the integration aims to enhance service offerings without compromising the personalized client experience that has been a hallmark of Longview. The transaction was facilitated by Jessica Polito of Turkey Hill Management, who served as an advisor to Longview.
These acquisitions mark a significant acceleration in Apella Wealth’s growth trajectory. Under the leadership of CEO Jim Scanlan, the firm has now completed a total of 29 acquisitions. This aggressive acquisition strategy has been particularly pronounced since a 2021 minority investment from Wealth Partners Capital Group, which has evidently provided Apella with the capital and strategic support to pursue and execute multiple deals. This sustained M&A activity positions Apella Wealth as a consolidator within the RIA landscape, aiming to build scale and broaden its service capabilities.
Savant Accounting & Business Advisory Rebrands and Expands Through Acquisitions
In parallel developments within the wealth management sector, Savant Wealth Management, a prominent RIA managing over $57 billion in AUM, has undergone a significant rebranding and expansion of its tax and consulting arm. The firm’s wholly owned subsidiary, previously known as Savant Tax & Consulting, has officially changed its name to Savant Accounting & Business Advisory (SABA). This name change reflects an expanded scope of services, encompassing accounting, advisory, consulting, and tax services, moving beyond traditional tax preparation to offer a more holistic suite of financial solutions.
The rebranding coincides with Savant’s acquisition of two Illinois-based tax firms: Professional Business Management of Barrington and Summit CPA Group of Rockford. These deals, which closed on August 31st, are designed to bolster Savant’s expertise and service offerings, particularly in areas such as health care practice consulting, accounting, tax, and business advisory services. The integration of these firms significantly enhances SABA’s capacity and reach within these specialized domains.
Brent Brodeski, CEO and founder of Savant Wealth Management, emphasized the deliberate evolution of the firm’s service model. "Over the past two decades, we have intentionally built an organization that is designed to extend beyond traditional tax preparation," Brodeski stated. This strategic foresight underscores Savant’s commitment to adapting to the evolving needs of its clients and the broader market. The newly branded SABA unit now comprises over 140 accounting, tax, and advisory professionals, representing a substantial increase in its human capital and expertise.
This expansion follows a significant capital infusion for Savant in July, when the firm secured a $270 million minority stake from Hamilton Lane. This investment, alongside the continued support from former investors Cynosure Partners and Kelso & Company, provides Savant with substantial resources to fuel its growth initiatives, including strategic acquisitions and service enhancements. The firm’s proactive approach to both organic growth and M&A positions it as a key player in the evolving wealth management landscape.
Carson Group Reaches 50 Integrated Office Milestone
Carson Group, an RIA based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than $65 billion in AUM, has celebrated a significant operational milestone: the acquisition of its 50th integrated office. This achievement was marked by the addition of Elios Financial Group, an Ohio-based firm with approximately $367 million in AUM. Elios Financial Group will now operate as a Carson Wealth office in Westlake, Ohio, expanding Carson’s physical presence and client service capabilities.
Elios Financial Group is led by Managing Partner and wealth advisor James Elios, who, along with partner and wealth advisor Brandon Steinhagen and three client support staff members, has built a practice focused on an education-driven model tailored for families preparing for and navigating retirement. The team’s previous affiliation was with Private Client Services, as indicated by BrokerCheck records.
James Elios expressed his commitment to continuing the firm’s mission under the Carson umbrella. "Since founding Elios Financial Group, our mission has been to help families make wise financial decisions and feel confident about their future," Elios said in a statement. This sentiment highlights the alignment of values and client focus between Elios Financial Group and Carson Group.
With the integration of Elios Financial Group, Carson Group now boasts a network of over 165 partner offices and its own Carson Wealth offices, serving more than 60,000 client families across the country. This extensive network underscores Carson’s strategy of building a comprehensive ecosystem of financial advice and services.
Burt White, CEO of Carson Group, recognized the significance of reaching the 50 integrated office mark. "Reaching our 50th integrated office is a tremendous milestone in our journey and reflects the caliber of people and firms that have chosen to build their future with Carson Wealth," White stated. This milestone reflects the success of Carson’s growth strategy, which combines organic development with strategic acquisitions of established advisory practices. Alaris Acquisitions advised Elios Financial Group on this strategic move.
LPL Financial Welcomes $385 Million Team from Wells Fargo’s FiNet
In the independent broker-dealer space, LPL Financial, a leading firm with approximately $2.6 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets, has announced the addition of a prominent team from Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (FiNet). Financial advisors Bill Wagner, Scott Sennett, and Andrew Kocukov, operating as Horizon Wealth Management Group, have joined LPL’s robust broker-dealer and RIA platforms. This move signifies a significant influx of assets and client relationships for LPL.
The Horizon Wealth Management Group team was previously affiliated with Wells Fargo Advisors FiNet, where they managed approximately $385 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets. Based in Wichita, Kansas, the team’s client base primarily consists of retirees and individuals nearing retirement. A significant portion of their practice is dedicated to assisting clients in managing the distribution phase of their financial lives, a critical and complex stage of wealth management.
The team’s decision to transition to LPL Financial was driven by a comprehensive evaluation of potential partners, with LPL emerging as the preferred choice due to its advanced technology infrastructure, comprehensive financial planning capabilities, and client-centric service model. "We spent significant time researching potential partners and ultimately felt LPL was best positioned to support both our team and our clients," stated Bill Wagner in a press release. This indicates that LPL’s platform offerings directly addressed the needs and strategic priorities of Horizon Wealth Management Group.
LPL Financial, which supports a vast network of over 32,000 financial advisors, reported a substantial increase in recruited assets during the second quarter of its fiscal year. According to their most recent earnings call, recruited assets surged by 35% year-over-year, reaching approximately $25 billion. This growth, representing a sequential increase of about 47%, highlights LPL’s continued success in attracting established advisory practices. This recruiting momentum has been particularly strong as the firm’s recruiters have resumed organic outreach efforts following a concentrated focus on the integration of the Commonwealth Financial Network acquisition, which was a significant event in 2025. The addition of Horizon Wealth Management Group further bolsters LPL’s market position and its capacity to serve a diverse range of financial advisors and their clients.
