CPA-affiliated Vista styles itself a private-client chief financial officer. San Francisco-based accounting firm Burr Pilger Mayer has merged its wealth-management practice BPM Wealth Management with Palo Alto, Calif.-based Vista Wealth Management.

Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. The merged entity takes Vista's branding, but BPM Wealth Management's founding partner Henry Pilger has been named as its president and CEO. Vista principal Michael Spector has been appointed COO of the merged firm; James Knight, another "legacy" Vista principal, is its CIO.

Personal CFO

Vista specializes in providing guidance in asset management, investment strategy, tax, estate, retirement, and financial planning to entrepreneurs, professionals and corporate executives with liquid assets of at least $1 million.

"This merger gives our clients the added depth and expertise of the highly successful Vista team, and the breadth of affiliated firm [Burr Pilger Mayer], northern California's largest locally headquartered accounting and business-advisory organization," says Pilger. "Together we are a stronger, larger firm that can manage and grow a client's entire financial portfolio."

Pilger likens Vista's client approach -- "providing the highest level of customized financial services to help our clients manage their total assets and opportunities" -- to that of a chief financial officer for individuals and families.

Vista has a dozen senior advisors in six offices in the San Francisco Bay area. The new firm says it advises on assets of around $500 million. -FWR

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