A San Diego-based team of financial and tax planners with more than $200 million in brokerage, advisory and retirement plan assets has affiliated with Merit Financial Group to join LPL Financial’s broker-dealer and hybrid registered investment advisor and custodial platforms, the company announced today.

Reason Financial is the second team to join Alpharetta, Ga.-based Merit from Avantax Wealth Management, part of Blucora.

Founded by advisors Steve Pollock and Sean Storck, both enrolled agents, Reason Financial also has five team members, including tax strategists and financial planners. The firm provides investment management, financial planning and tax preparation services for individuals and households, with a client base of mostly business owners, doctors, teachers, engineers and technical writers, the news release said.

The team chose to partner with Merit and LPL to be able to run an independent firm focused on their clients’ best interests, the release said. “The move to Merit and LPL is a win for all our stakeholders,” Storck said in a statement. “We feel LPL’s robust and flexible wealth management platform will be a large value-add for our clients. For our staff, the advanced financial technology solutions and consistent back office support will help make the day-to-day tasks much simpler.”

Added Pollock, “We now have access to a large network of independent financial advisors throughout the country who can share best practices and can challenge us as we strive to be better at what we do each day. We look forward to building a community with other like-minded, successful advisors dedicated to putting the client first.”

Merit President Kay Lynn Mayhue said they are impressed with all that Reason Financial has accomplished over the years. “As a fast-growing RIA firm with over 80 seasoned team members, Merit is proud to be able to share our experience and support with advisors so they can be successful in their own growth journey. Our goal is to give Reason Financial autonomy and control while providing them unmatched support to drive their growth,” she said.

Merit Financial Group has 16 offices and manages over $4.1 billion in assets, of which $2.5 billion are advisory assets and $1.6 billion are brokerage assets as of June 30.