Buckingham Strategic Wealth, the St. Louis-based wealth management firm, has expanded its depth of talent with the acquisition of Focus Wealth Management, which will assume the Buckingham name. The transaction gives Buckingham a presence in the Northern Virginia area while providing that team of advisors with access to greater resources to better help clients reach their most important life and financial goals.

Focus, which was founded in 2001 and has locations in Fairfax and Middleburg, Virginia, is led by Helen Modly, CFP®, CPWA®, who has more than 35 years of experience in the investment industry.

"We're extremely excited about the opportunity to leverage Buckingham's considerable resources to better serve our clients," said Modly, who will remain a wealth advisor and the advisory team leader of the firm's Virginia offices, both of which will continue to serve clients.

The transaction, which closed July 1, 2017, also brings to Buckingham Susan Chesson, MBA, CFP®, Barbara Ristow, CFP®, MSFS, Tiffiny Dimel, Jessica Jarosik, CFP®, Krystyn Rash, RP®, and Tammy Funkhauser, along with about $288 million in assets under management (as of March 31, 2017). Modly and Chesson will become shareholders in Buckingham.

Buckingham President David Levin echoes Modly's sentiment. "It's clear that we share a common belief in doing the right thing — acting in our clients' best interests — at all times," Levin said. "We share core values, the same core investment philosophy, and an approach that focuses on delivering deeply personal levels of client service, so the fit was a natural one."

Buckingham, which manages or administers $10.2 billion in assets (as of March 31, 2017), has completed 28 transactions since 2010. Headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., the firm has offices in 17 cities across the nation.

Buckingham is a partner firm within Focus Financial Partners and home to BAM Advisor Services and The BAM ALLIANCE, a community of more than 140 independent, like-minded advisory firms throughout the country that collectively manage or administer $29 billion (as of March 31, 2017).

About Buckingham Strategic Wealth

Founded in 1994, Buckingham Strategic Wealth helps individuals, businesses, trusts, nonprofits, retirement plans and medical practice owners achieve their most important goals by creating customized, comprehensive, evidence-based financial plans. As a registered investment advisory firm, Buckingham operates under a fiduciary obligation to its clients. The firm's investment approach centers on modern portfolio theory implemented through passively managed mutual funds and the firm's fixed income portfolio design and execution capabilities. Additional information can be found at www.buckinghamadvisor.com.