Edelman Financial Engines is acquiring RIA Viridian Advisors, an independent, 100% employee-owned firm based in Bothell, Washington, that manages over $846 million for more than 800 clients, the companies said on Wednesday.
The transaction, expected to close in the current quarter, will enable Edelman to continue to grow by expanding its footprint in the northwestern U.S. The deal will also allow Edelman to expand its offerings by adding a team of CPAs, financial advisors and client service associates to its nationwide network to provide clients with bundled financial planning, investment management and tax planning services. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Edelman has three branches in the Seattle area. "Viridian will be the fourth, and the transaction," which has been in the works since fall 2020, gives Edelman "more capacity in a key region," Jason Van de Loo, Edelman executive vice president and head of retail, told ThinkAdvisor. "Clients have been asking more for tax planning advice, and the Viridian transaction gives us a foundation to provide that. This will be a new service offering for EFE that we plan to roll out in stages beginning with the tax season next year."
Viridian is led by Adriel Tam, its CEO and co-founding shareholder, who will join Edelman as head of its tax practice. He was also registered as a broker with LPL Financial from 2009 to 2018, according to his report on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's BrokerCheck website.
Tam was previously registered as a broker with UBS from 2007 to 2009. He is currently registered as an investment advisor and no longer registered as a broker, according to BrokerCheck. The acquisition will give him the "opportunity to achieve my vision and develop a distinctive tax practice platform on a nationwide scale," Tam said in the announcement.
Viridian provides comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and tax planning and preparation services to individuals, families and businesses.
