United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC (“United Capital”) continues its expansion in the Southwest, announcing the acquisition of a Scottsdale-based wealth management firm. Founded in 1998 by husband-and-wife partners, Brotherton Investment Consultants is United Capital’s first foothold in Arizona.

Founders Donna Brotherton, CFA®, and John Brotherton, CFP®, join United Capital as managing directors, bringing with them a staff of financial professionals. Their firm, Brotherton Investment Consultants, has approximately $150 million in assets under advisement.

“Our process has always been, first and foremost, about the client—what motivates them, what is important to them—and we love the symmetry with United Capital’s process. They get what wealth management is all about and offer us invaluable tools and resources to help our clients. Having the Honest Conversations® toolkit to engage with clients is a major addition to our planning process. The exercise provides a safe environment and helps couples get to the heart of the matter with their finances—why we are all sitting at that table—and finally gives the ‘silent partner’ a voice in the financial decision-making process,” Donna offers.

The Brothertons both cited the administrative burdens that were increasingly taking time away from the client and impacting the firm’s overall growth. Their partnership with United Capital was driven in part by the need to alleviate these operational frustrations.

“The Brothertons exemplify the type of advisers we aim to partner with—their goals and client-centric values align with our own, which we know is a strong differentiator from the industry,” says Matt Brinker, Senior Vice President, Partner Development and Acquisitions at United Capital. “The firm is a valuable addition, and we are excited to support their team with administrative and planning efforts as they continue to grow and help their clients.”

Over their years in the industry, the two advisers have come to understand the qualities that they were looking for in a partner firm. They plan to incorporate all of United Capital’s tools and resources in their wealth planning process to ensure that all clients are living their One Best Financial Life™.

“We were most impressed with United Capital’s capabilities, which include a range of factors from their advanced integration and advice process to their streamlined quality deliverables and software implementation. We are confident that our partnership is best for our clients and for the firm as we continue to expand. Joining United Capital allows us to focus on our clients’ needs, our marketing efforts, growing the business, recruiting and mentoring young and up-and-coming advisers,” John says.

John has over 32 years of experience and Donna has over 26 years in the industry, and the two advisers bring a depth of knowledge and passion to their practice. The Brothertons currently reside in Scottsdale with their children and in their spare time, participate in competitive Theatre On Ice figure skating events with their twin daughters.

As of March 31, 2013, United Capital and its affiliates have approximately $17 billion in assets under advisement and, with this recent addition of Brotherton, 47 offices.