Mercer Global Advisors has acquired a Southern California-based tax practice, marking the firm’s first tax-focused registered investment advisor. 

Beach Freeman Lim & Cleland, founded in 2002, offers tax, accounting, and business advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners.  

The acquisition, which closed on October 31, brings Beach Freeman Lim & Cleland’s 20 tax staffers to Mercer Advisors.

The firm has offices in El Segundo, Irvine, and Ontario, providing deep coverage across the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Inland Empire regions. 

As part of the transaction, all Beach Freeman Lim & Cleland employees will be able to gain equity ownership through Mercer Advisors’ Path to Partnership initiative.   

The Path to Partnership program, which launched in 2020, allows employees to purchase stock in the firm for a minimum investment of $20,000, which is paid by the employee. Mercer also offers employees the opportunity to loan up to $10,000 for those who are in the program. 

Since the program’s launch, the employee ownership rate has doubled from under 25% in 2020 to over 50% this year, Mercer said. 

Recently, Mercer Advisors acquired Encino, CA-based Singer Burke, which provides “collaborative and comprehensive planning,” with a focus on media and entertainment professionals.