Moss Adams spins off wealth management unit after Baker Tilly deal

Moss Adams, a former Top 25 Firm that joined Baker Tilly US last year in a megamerger, has spun off its Moss Adams Wealth Management unit. 

It will now be renamed Threadline Wealth, backed by investment from the Cynosure Group, and have $5.8 billion in client assets under management. Threadline Wealth plans to operate as a fully independent registered investment advisory firm and maintain a relationship with Baker Tilly. 

The transition reflects a wider shift in the profession as accounting firms and wealth advisory businesses recognize the two disciplines often require different regulatory frameworks, technology stacks and capital investment strategies, according to a spokesperson.

Baker Tilly is a Top 10 Firm based in Chicago and ranked No. 6 on Accounting Today's 2026 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $3.5 billion in annual revenue, over 1,000 partners, more than 12,000 employees and 99 employees. Prior to the merger, Moss Adams, based in Seattle, ranked right below it at No. 12 with $1.3 billion in annual revenue, over 400 partners and more than 4,800 employees. Threadline has 60 employees, about half of whom are advisors. They have offices throughout the west with major hubs in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The transition took approximately 12 to 18 months in collaboration with firm leadership, rather than emerging from conflict, according to a spokesperson. The goal was to position the wealth business for long-term growth while preserving a collaborative model it has used for over two decades.

"We have tremendous respect for this advisory team and the relationships they've built over many years," said Baker Tilly CEO Eric Miles in a statement Friday. "As they move forward as an independent firm, we wish them continued success."

Threadline Wealth is bringing together a group of wealth managers, CPAs and other advisors with tax planning knowhow. It plans to serve clients through a team-based advisory model, supported by an apprenticeship-driven talent development approach that emphasizes technical expertise, collaboration and long-term career growth. It intends to retain experienced professionals while attracting the next generation of advisors.

"Threadline Wealth reflects our vision for how we'll serve wealthy clients as their needs, goals and expectations continue to evolve," said Threadline Wealth co-founder and CEO Justin Fisher and former private clients national leader at Moss Adams, in a statement. "For more than 25 years, our team has lived at the intersection of wealth management and accounting, helping clients navigate increasing complexity as their businesses, families and opportunities grow. This next phase allows us to sharpen that focus, invest in our people and platform, and deliver even greater coordination across every aspect of our clients' financial lives."

Cynosure is a family-office-backed firm that has been investing in wealth management platforms and is providing capital and industry expertise to accelerate Threadline's growth.

"Threadline Wealth stands out for its ability to combine deep technical expertise with a truly coordinated approach to wealth management," said Cynosure managing director Keith Taylor in a statement. "We're excited to support the team in their vision as they build a firm rooted in collaboration, long-term client relationships, and thoughtful growth."

Threadline Wealth engaged Advisor Growth Strategies as its financial advisor and Alston & Bird LLP as its legal counsel on the transaction.