The latest mergers, acquisitions and other corporate actions in the wealth management sector.

Avantax
Avantax, a tax-focused financial planning and wealth management firm, has welcomed Bob Ervolina from Lifetime Wealth Management Group and returning advisor Aaron Watson, and his South Carolina-based accounting firm partner Lee MacBay Hamilton & Associates.

Lifetime Wealth Management Group, a 15-year-old firm based in Buffalo, New York, is led by veteran advisor Bob Ervolina, JD, certified wealth strategist, who transferred to Avantax from Securities America, a broker-dealer of Osaic (formerly Advisor Group), the firm said in a statement. 

“I found the ease of doing business with Avantax attractive, and I really like their CPA network. Even though I’ve only been on board since August, the move to Avantax has been beneficial already,” Ervolina said. Also joining Ervolina in his move to Avantax is financial advisor Nick Beckman, the firm added.

“Clients want financial planning and investment advice given through the lens of tax, and Avantax’s platform, technology, service and home office support are designed to support tax-intelligent financial planning,” Todd Mackay, president at Avantax Wealth Management, said. 

In addition, one year after transferring to Cambridge Investment Research, Watson has rejoined Avantax to regain the benefits of the firm’s tax-centric platform, technology and home office support. “Other broker-dealer technology and platforms aren’t tax-centric, and I can serve my clients better with Avantax,” Watson said. 

Watson’s son, Luke Watson, is also a financial advisor at Aaron L Watson in McCormick, South Carolina, which has about $94 million in total client assets. Watson’s longtime accounting firm partner, Spartanburg, South Carolina-based Lee MacBay Hamilton & Associates, is also affiliated with Avantax, the firm said.