The merger brings together two entities with more than 50 employees who have served high net worth executives, business owners, professionals and families for two decades. "In the industry there are virtually no fee-based financial planning choices for high net worth individuals filling the gap between extremely small firms and the 'Big 4' accounting giants where financial planning in an afterthought," said Robert A. Clarfeld. "Clarfeld has long been respected in this niche as having the resources to provide the one-stop, high quality solutions that clients seek while still remaining a boutique firm."

Rutherford Asset Planning founders, Ronald K. Rutherford and Suzzette Rutherford will remain as principals of Clarfeld Financial Advisors to service many of their existing clients, work with Clarfeld's clients, and help continue to grow the south Florida practice from their offices in Naples. Rutherford has been appointed to the investment policy committee and the newly created position of chief investment officer. Author of The Complete Guide to Managing A Portfolio of Mutual Funds (McGraw Hill, 1998), Mr. Rutherford brings more than 25 years of experience as an investment advisor with deep knowledge of alternative asset class investments.

Suzzette B. Rutherford will continue to oversee the expanded Florida office, while greatly enhancing Clarfeld's financial planning capabilities in the newly created position of director of retirement and eldercare services. "Now we can offer both our Florida-based clients and the South Florida market even greater capabilities," said Suzzette Rutherford. "Since complexity is our specialty, we are not only adept at dealing with client financial and tax issues arising from various compensation plans, retirement plans, and stock option plans, but we are also able to help solve life and death planning issues regarding eldercare issues, estate preservation and family legacies."

Headquartered in Tarrytown, N.Y. with offices in New York City, London and now, Naples, Clarfeld Financial Advisors has been helping corporate executives, professionals, business owners, and their families achieve their financial goals for more than twenty years.