Two leading advisory firms in South Australia, Crosby Dalwood and Warnecke & Co, are set to merge and be rebranded as Count Adelaide from July 2023.
Combined, they have more than 70 years of experience in accounting and wealth advisory services.
“This is the first time in Count’s 43-year history that partner firms have chosen to trade under the Count brand, which is a terrific endorsement of the business’ growth strategy,” said Count chief executive, Hugh Humphrey.
“We are pleased to see the Count brand expand across the country, cementing our position as one of Australia’s leading integrated accounting and wealth services providers.”
Count Adelaide will be led by managing principal Peter Burrows, who has been director of Warnecke & Co for the last two years.
Burrows expressed excitement about the new offering in the South Australia market.
“This merger brings strong capabilities from the Count community into one business, under a strong, nationally recognised advisory brand. This enhances our client service proposition and employee value proposition, helping us to attract new clients and employees who are familiar with Count’s success,” he stated.
The development follows Count’s recent company name change and brand transformation in May to Count Limited, which it had described as a “dynamic new phase.”
Later that month, it also welcomed around 100 advisers to its national community following the successful acquisition of financial advice business Affinia from TAL.
The merger is set to bring the combined business to a total of 400 advisers and $17 billion in client funds under administration, representing 3,500 clients.
3,500 clients & 400 Advisers = 9 clients per Adviser?