Hightower Advisors has announced a strategic investment that will boost its tax advisory capabilities for high-net-worth and business clients.
The Chicago-based firm’s advisors will gain access to the sophisticated tax management services of GMS Surgent, a preeminent tax and advisory firm operating out of Philadelphia which will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hightower.
This is the latest investment in Hightower’s Wealth Solutions platform which provides the firm’s advisors across the United States with a suite of tools to help manage their clients’ financial needs.
The addition of the tax advisory tools will enhance the Wealth Solutions platform which already includes trust services, estate planning, insurance placement, and business owner services.
“We are thrilled to welcome GMS Surgent into the Hightower community, enabling us to provide advisors with a vetted resource to deliver comprehensive tax services to clients via a seamless experience,” said Hightower chairman and CEO Bob Oros. “This alliance empowers advisors to focus on their core services and strengthen relationships with clients.”
GMS Surgent’s team of around 30 is led by managing partners Brian Gallagher, Jack Surgent, and Lauren Adamski. The firm was established in 1992.
“We were impressed with Hightower’s unwavering focus on the client experience, and we feel we can contribute to the broad range of service Hightower can offer its clients,” Jack Surgent said.
The GMS Surgent brand under which two separate entities operate: GMS Surgent is a licensed CPA firm that provides attest services, and GMS Surgent Advisors provides tax and business consulting services.
The transaction closed June 30, with Berkshire Global Advisors serving as the exclusive financial advisor to GMS Surgent.
Firms continue their quest to attract and retain the best advisor teams.
A survey from TacticalMind AI found 69% of advisors say a high-quality AI platform that makes investment recommendations and constructs portfolios is worth $500 monthly, while research-only tools are valued closer to $250.
The alts tech provider's latest integration lets advisors query fund data and surface portfolio insights without leaving their primary workspace.
The regulator is scrutinizing how some firms oversee concentrated positions in complex "worst-of" notes – and wants answers.
Meanwhile, Carson Group fully integrates a decades-old practice in Phoenix, Arizona, and Triad Wealth touts its 5x growth to hit a $2 billion milestone.
As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management
Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline
