Advisory firms merge to form Count Adelaide

Two Adelaide-based advisory firms, Crosby Dalwood and Warnecke have merged and will rebrand as Count Adelaide next month.

The merger follows Count’s recent name change and brand transformation.

Namely back in May, following 99.94 per cent of shareholder votes casting support for the move at an extraordinary general meeting, CountPlus announced a successful name change to Count Limited.

In raising Count as the proposed new name, the firm reasoned that it would “align and capture the operations and value the company is creating now, and in the future”.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, Crosby Dalwood and Warnecke bring over 70 years of combined experience in providing accounting and wealth advisory services to South Australians. The firm will be led by managing principal Peter Burrows.

Count chief executive officer Hugh Humphrey said the merger showed partner firms’ confidence in the strategic vision of the business.

“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 Mr 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.”

Also commenting on the move, Mr Burrows expressed excitement about the opportunities the new Count Adelaide business will bring to clients in South Australia.

“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.”

Back in May, Mr Humphrey pointed to heightened uncertainty in global markets, the cost-of-living crisis, an ageing population, and reduced availability of financial advice as factors weighing on the increasing demand for the services offered by Count’s financial planners and accountants.

“As one of Australia’s only truly integrated provider of wealth and accounting services, Count is uniquely positioned to service this increasing demand.”

He confirmed at the time that a phased roll-out of Count’s new branding will be undertaken over the coming months.

Moreover, Count also noted in May that it expects to see an increasing number of firms take on the new brand and boost the company’s national reach.

“Our company name change, brand transformation, and new value proposition give our clients greater certainty about our offering, providing them with the confidence to look ahead,” Mr Humphrey said.

“We remain committed to delivering high-quality financial advice for our clients. This new strategy strengthens Count’s position as a major player in the future of wealth management advice in Australia.”

It’s been a busy few months at Count, with the firm also announcing towards the end of May that it had completed its acquisition of Affinia Financial Advisers from Australian life insurer TAL.

Count said the acquisition has expanded its wealth segment market share with the addition of approximately 100 “high quality, client-centric” advisers to its national community. The firm noted it now advises on $16.8 billion in client funds under administration.