Commonwealth Financial Network has added Aegis Consulting, a Jacksonville, Fla., firm with $1.24 billion in client assets to its network of independent financial advisors, according to a news release.

The firm is led by principals Michael Cirino and Alexander Harrison, who were previously with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation, according to BrokerCheck. The team, which  includes 11 advisors and additional support staff, provides advanced fee-based financial planning, wealth management and estate and business succession planning for high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients, family businesses, and salaried executives, the release said.

Cirino began his career in 1985 with Cigna Financial Advisors Inc., which was bought by Lincoln National Corp. in 1997. Harrison began with Lincoln in 2000.

“Having spent our entire careers at the same firm, we didn’t take this move lightly,” Cirino said in a statement. “While our bias was to stay where we were, after an extensive due diligence process, it was clear that Commonwealth was the best choice for our clients, advisors, and staff. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel—we just want to make the wheel better, and Commonwealth gives us the ability to do that and run the business the way we want.”

Harrison added that their goal is to grow the firm nationally, and Commonwealth is in a better position to help with that. “Commonwealth has the best blend of award-winning support, integrated technology, and independence. Our partnership will make it easier for us to do business, allowing our advisors to be more productive and spend more time servicing clients and building relationships,” he said.

Most of the team’s advisors have been together for well over a decade. They include Bruce Chadbourne, Stuart Farb, Hayley Gregory, Rebecca Kaufman, Taylor Lloyd, James Neel, Nathan Rogero, Bruce Schilling, Michael Sullum, and Walter Williams.

Becca Hajjar, managing principal and chief business development officer at Commonwealth, said they are excited to partner with Aegis as the firm expands its footprints and increases its client base.

“The Aegis Consulting team is a group of highly successful professionals with an impressive caliber of clients and complex needs. The team will benefit from our advanced technology, streamlined operations, and suite of sophisticated solutions, including our Advanced Planning support for high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients,” she said.