COMPANIES

EP Wealth Advisors

Office address: 21535 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 400, Torrance, CA 90503
Website: epwealth.com
Year established: 1999
Company type: financial services
Employees: 600+
Expertise: investment management, financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, business planning, divorce financial planning, family office services, wealth management for athletes, NIL financial services
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Ryan Parker (CEO), Derek Holman and Brian Parker (co-founders), Jorge Bernal (COO), Alan Berkshire (general counsel), Christopher Toumajian (CFO), Adam Phillips (managing director)
Financing status: private equity-backed

EP Wealth Advisors (EPWA) is a fiduciary financial planning and investment management firm in Torrance. The company manages more than $42 billion in client assets as of December 31, 2025. Over 600 professionals work from 60+ US offices and provide services from estate planning to NIL advisory for college athletes.

History of EP Wealth Advisors

EP Wealth started with a friendship that goes back to the 6th grade. Co-founders Derek Holman and Brian Parker even worked side by side at a San Diego frozen yogurt shop.

Both became financial advisors but grew frustrated with an industry driven by commissions over clients. They launched Premier Financial Management in 1999 and later teamed up with advisor Stephanie Enright to form EP Wealth.

EP Wealth Advisors goes national

The firm’s fee-only, fiduciary model struck a chord with investors who wanted objective advice. EP Wealth Advisors secured an investment from Wealth Partners Capital Group in 2017 to help fund its next chapter.

EPWA also added Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, as a minority investor in 2020. It then completed multiple acquisitions per year from 2022 to 2024 across the East Coast and Midwest.

A record-setting 2025

The company opened 2025 with the acquisition of Executive Wealth Management, a Michigan-based firm. It also brought in NBS Financial Services to deepen its presence in California’s Conejo Valley region. EP Wealth Advisors closed out 2025 with a record nine acquisitions.

EPWA also took home an excellence award for RIA Firm of the Year at the 2025 InvestmentNews Awards. The honor came during a standout year that placed the company among the top RIAs in the country.

New backing and what’s ahead

EP Wealth Advisors landed a minority investment from Ares Management in 2025, which marked Ares’ first equity stake in a US RIA. The added capital is set to support talent acquisition, technology upgrades, and further M&A activity. EPWA also kicked off 2026 by acquiring Scottsdale-based Capital Insight Partners as its first deal of the year.

EP Wealth Advisors’ products and services

EPWA builds its services around a fee-only, fiduciary model tailored to each client’s financial life:

Planning services

  • financial planning: customized strategies based on each client’s goals
  • retirement planning: cash flow and savings plans for retirement
  • estate planning: tax-efficient wealth transfer for families
  • tax planning: reduces tax impact across financial decisions
  • business planning: guidance for business owners and partnerships

Investment management

  • portfolio management: diversified portfolios built around client objectives
  • family office services: full-service wealth support for high-net-worth families

Specialized advisory

  • divorce financial planning: support before, during, and after divorce
  • NIL wealth management: financial planning for college athletes with NIL income
  • LGBTQ+ financial planning: plans sensitive to current legal and regulatory needs

Each client works with a dedicated team of CFPs, tax professionals, and portfolio managers. EP Wealth Advisors also runs a Women’s Initiative focused on financial literacy and community outreach for women.

Culture and corporate values

EP Wealth Advisors says a “client-first” mentality drives its culture. The firm extends that people-focused approach to its teams and communities as well. Its culture programs cover several areas:

  • Women’s Initiative: Three C’s program for colleagues, clients, and community
  • community outreach: regional events, fundraisers, and support for local causes
  • financial literacy and mentorship: programs to build knowledge and develop future leaders
  • career development: growth paths for team members from diverse backgrounds

EPWA says enriching lives starts with its own team. To do this, it offers employee benefits across several areas:

  • health and wellness: subsidized insurance, mental health plan, EAP, and wellness reimbursement
  • time off and flexibility: three weeks vacation, paid sick days, 11 holidays, parental leave, and hybrid options
  • financial security: 401(k), Safe Harbor contribution, life insurance, and disability coverage
  • charitable giving: company-backed donations and eight paid volunteer hours

Beyond perks, EP Wealth Advisors says it cares about diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. It also has a six-month Fellowship Program that offers future finance professionals hands-on experience with EP Wealth leaders.

About CEO Ryan Parker and key people

Ryan Parker leads as chair and CEO, joining EP Wealth Advisors in 2021 and has over 25 years of industry experience. Parker also held leadership roles at Citizens Bank, Edelman Financial Services, and LPL Financial. He graduated from the University of Michigan and later earned a certificate from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Parker works alongside several leaders who steer EP Wealth Advisors’ direction:

  • Derek Holman, CFP, AIF - co-founder
  • Brian Parker, CFP - co-founder
  • Jorge Bernal - COO
  • Adam Phillips, CFA, CAIA, CFP - managing director of investments
  • Christopher Toumajian, CPA - CFO
  • Alan Berkshire - chief administrative officer and general counsel

The leadership team works across EP Wealth Advisors’ offices in the US. That footprint lets the company serve clients through local teams in each market.

The future at EPWA

EP Wealth Advisors’ Erin Voisin, managing director of wealth management services, landed a spot on the InvestmentNews Hot List 2025. The list highlights top US wealth professionals who helped clients navigate a year of market swings and rising expectations. The recognition shows EP Wealth’s growing influence in the RIA space as it continues to expand nationwide.

On the growth front, the company has more than doubled in size since Parker took the CEO role in July 2023. EP Wealth manages over $42 billion across 63 offices in 23 states as of early 2026, up from $18 billion and 30 offices when Parker started in 2023. Parker told InvestmentNews that EPWA’s goal is to keep a boutique feel as it scales, so that clients and employees don’t become “nameless, faceless numbers.”

The latest EP Wealth Advisors news

Displaying 46 results
EP Wealth makes Midwestern splash with $1.6B Executive Wealth Management
RIA NEWS JAN 07, 2025
EP Wealth makes Midwestern splash with $1.6B Executive Wealth Management

The PE-backed RIA's inaugural deal in Michigan also vaults it past a key asset milestone.

Alts tech platform Opto unveils goals-based private investing tool
ALTERNATIVES DEC 17, 2024
Alts tech platform Opto unveils goals-based private investing tool

The fintech firm for private market investments is helping firms and advisors build customized 'pacing plans' to reach target allocations based on customized model portfolios.

Top Financial Professionals in the US | Hot List
BEST IN WEALTH DEC 17, 2024
Top Financial Professionals in the US | Hot List

Celebrating the top financial professionals in the US who have helped shape and innovate the industry over the past 12 months

$28.9B EP Wealth welcomes Sageview alum as COO
RIA NEWS NOV 15, 2024
$28.9B EP Wealth welcomes Sageview alum as COO

The Torrance, California-based RIA's C-suite hire brings more than 30 years' leadership experience, including at Goldman Sachs, Fidelity, and JPMorgan.

$28.9B EP Wealth extends 2024 deal count with twin acquisitions
RIA NEWS NOV 04, 2024
$28.9B EP Wealth extends 2024 deal count with twin acquisitions

With its latest partners in Maine and Texas, the fee-only RIA and financial planning firm has officially completed seven acquisitions for the year.

$26B RIA EP Wealth strikes private market alliance with Opto Investments
ALTERNATIVES OCT 10, 2024
$26B RIA EP Wealth strikes private market alliance with Opto Investments

The tech-driven alts platform will provide support to advisors seeking customized portfolio access for their high-net-worth clients.

Hurricane Helene: Advisors should be the "voice of support and reason"
Hurricane Helene: Advisors should be the "voice of support and reason"

After deadly storm ravages North Carolina, shocked advisors talk about helping clients with home damage, emotional trauma and ways to be prepared.

EP Wealth gets $1.1B AUM boost in latest acquisition
RIA NEWS SEP 17, 2024
EP Wealth gets $1.1B AUM boost in latest acquisition

The deal for Atlanta, Georgia-based CornerCap balances the $26.2B RIA's objectives of national expansion and maintaining local boutique experiences.

EP Wealth names Megan Glover to inaugural C-suite role
RIA NEWS AUG 21, 2024
EP Wealth names Megan Glover to inaugural C-suite role

The veteran with over 20 years of strategic HR experience is expected to energize the RIA’s growth efforts as its first-ever chief people officer.

EP Wealth scoops $700M Texas practice
RIA NEWS JUL 01, 2024
EP Wealth scoops $700M Texas practice

The fast-growing RIA boosts its assets in the state past $1B as it welcomes a 23-year planning and investment veteran as its new regional director.

Fastest-Growing in America
BEST IN WEALTH JUN 06, 2024
Fastest-Growing in America

Recognizing the leading finance firms across the US who are attracting advisors with their range of services and outstanding expertise.

EP Wealth scores sports-focused advisors from RBC
RIA NEWS APR 30, 2024
EP Wealth scores sports-focused advisors from RBC

The fee-only RIA’s newest advisors in California cater to high-net-worth individuals and athletes at the pro and college levels.

EP Wealth snaps up $1.2B California practice
RIA NEWS APR 03, 2024
EP Wealth snaps up $1.2B California practice

The RIA's acquisition of Wacker Wealth Partners, its second deal this year, bolsters its presence in the state’s Central Coast region.

Fastest-Growing Fee-Only RIAs
BEST IN WEALTH NOV 30, 2023
Fastest-Growing Fee-Only RIAs

The Fastest-Growing Fee-Only RIAs of 2023 are celebrated for attracting new assets since July 2020. While all 75 winners are trusted and reliable partners for their clients, each firm has its own unique strategy and operating methods.