CountPlus businesses in merger

Mike Taylor

Managing Editor/Publisher, Financial Newswire

14 July 2021

Publicly-listed financial planning and accountancy group CountPlus has continued to roll out its owner-driver strategy, announcing the merger of two of its member firms.

The company announced that United Advisory had finalised terms to acquire and merge with Bentley Brett and Vincent (BBV), based in Coffs Harbour on the NSW mid-north coast.

The acquisition of BBV is structured as an initial cash payment of $1.445 million, with further deferred payments linked to incentive criteria in 12 and 24 months with a total maximum purchase consideration of $1.7 million, according to CountPlus.

It said that as part of the merger, Veronica Bruce, Director at BBV, would join Victoria Studley and Hilary Acheson as a Principal and shareholder at Unite. Bruce would also become a financial adviser within Count Financial’s national advice community.

Commenting on the transaction, CountPlus chief executive, Matthew Rowe said the merger represented an example of the opportunities that come from the ‘Owner, Driver – Partner’ model which then leads to positive client outcomes.

“The acquisition and merger of Unite and BBV is another example of how we identify and invest in quality people and businesses. The existing clients of Unite and BBV will have access to a larger team with substantial experience in accounting and financial advice services,” he said.

Unite managing director, Victoria Studley said the merger would be a good cultural fit for the business that also bolstered the services available to clients in their community.