Cerity Partners

Cerity Partners operates as a national, full-service wealth management firm, providing integrated advisory services to a diverse client base that includes high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Founded in 2009 by Kurt Miscinski, the firm was established with the vision of creating a comprehensive wealth management RIA that could serve ultra-high-net-worth clients with a full suite of services. Miscinski, the current President and CEO, brought over two decades of financial services experience to the firm, including a tenure as a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank's Private Wealth Management division. The firm initially launched as HPM Partners with backing from investor Howard Milstein and, after significant growth, was recapitalized by private equity firm Lightyear Capital and later rebranded to Cerity Partners. In 2022, Genstar Capital led another recapitalization, with Lightyear remaining an investor, to accelerate the firm's growth.

The firm's business model is centered on providing objective, holistic financial advice. It operates as a fee-based fiduciary, with revenues generated from asset-based, fixed, and hourly fees for its advisory and wealth management services. Management fees for wealth and investment advisory start at 1.50% of assets under management. Cerity Partners distinguishes itself by assembling teams of experts—including financial planners, investment professionals, tax advisors, and attorneys—to address all aspects of a client's financial situation. This integrated approach allows the firm to offer a broad spectrum of services. For individuals and families, this includes wealth management, investment solutions, estate and gift planning, tax planning and preparation, and specialized services like marital and cross-border financial planning. For corporate clients, Cerity Partners provides executive financial counseling, retirement plan consulting, and management of nonqualified plans. The firm also serves nonprofit organizations with investment advisory and outsourced chief investment office (OCIO) solutions.

Cerity's investment philosophy is grounded in modern portfolio theory, creating personalized asset allocation strategies tailored to each client's risk tolerance and financial goals. The firm utilizes a dynamic approach, distributing client assets across diverse classes such as cash, fixed income, equities, and private markets, and rebalancing portfolios as circumstances change. A significant component of Cerity Partners' growth strategy involves mergers and acquisitions. The company has a consistent track record of acquiring other wealth management and advisory firms to expand its geographical footprint and deepen its service capabilities.

Keywords: wealth management, investment advisory, financial planning, tax planning, estate planning, retirement consulting, high-net-worth, corporate financial services, RIA, asset management