1st Global Celebrates 20 Years of Guiding CPA Firms to Succeed in Wealth Management

DALLAS, Oct. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 1st Global, a provider of comprehensive wealth management services for select CPA and wealth management firms, is celebrating 20 years of success and setting its sights on the future. For two decades, 1st Global has facilitated the growth of affiliated firms by equipping them with world-class research, accounting firm-centered advice, exceptional business development education and innovative technology. 1st Global is continuing its investment in the future with a new headquarters location. The firm is also declaring four primary business objectives essential to sustaining its growth for the next decade.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121016/LA94174)

"1st Global has established itself as a valued business partner to CPA firms and wealth management firms," says company founder and Chief Executive Officer Tony Batman. "While the economy and job market remain in neutral, 1st Global's executive leadership is recruiting top-level talent as we help affiliated CPA and wealth management firms serve more clients and serve them better. With our broad range of financial services capabilities, we are excelling at meeting the complex needs of emerging affluent and affluent households."

Earlier this year, 1st Global President and Chief Operating Officer David Knoch established four guiding business objectives to meet this goal. These objectives include providing excellent service to affiliated firms, ensuring the firm remains highly enticing to prospective firms, becoming a "Best Place to Work" as rated by 1st Global employees, and continued growth of the company.

A big first step to achieving these objectives is an expansive new headquarters located in the heart of North Dallas to house the company's 230 employees. The company has signed a long-term lease on 54,000 square feet of space in the 14-story Park Central 7∙8∙9 building located near the interchange of Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway and North Central Expressway. These LEED Gold buildings, which are Energy Star and BOMA 360 rated, have recently won an International TOBY award and have excellent amenities including a state-of-the-art fitness center, conference center, two food services, concierge, and a direct connection to The Westin Park Central Hotel. The company plans to relocate to Park Central 7∙8∙9 during the fourth quarter of 2012.

"Our mission is to create a more open, connected and collaborative 1st Global," says Knoch.  "Work environments conducive to collaborative discussion and creativity aren't exclusive to Silicon Valley. We're looking to create a unique atmosphere in the financial services industry with our new office space. The site features a creatively designed open floor plan to foster community and collaboration, as well as increase interactions among employees at all levels."

Highlights of this new space include an open breakroom where all employees can interact; two adjoining, classroom-style education centers to enable regular educational events put on by 1st Global's Wealth Management Academy®; a technologically-advanced whole-office audio/visual system; industry-leading private space availability, including single-person "heads-down" rooms, four- to six-person "huddle" rooms, 10-person conference rooms, and open-air "touchdown areas" with the capacity to accommodate all employees simultaneously.

"With 1st Global as a client, we had an opportunity to design the ideal office environment," says Martti Benson, lead architect and partner in Benson Hlavaty Architects. "We wanted to make 1st Global's new headquarters an inviting and innovative place for employees that reflects 1st Global's values and service commitment to their clients and visitors alike."

"Working closely with 1st Global's management team has allowed us to create a technologically advanced and interactive workplace that is on the cutting edge of design, but also remains a functionally efficient business environment," Benson says.

1st Global is already making strides toward achieving the other business objectives. The company's longstanding track record of impeccable service to its financial advisors has garnered 1st Global two DALBAR Service Excellence Awards. The company has heavily invested in software development and advisor platforms in order to streamline processes and improve the client experience. Through new partnerships and due diligence efforts, 1st Global continues to deliver access to high-quality investment products to its affiliated firms.

CEO Batman believes the stage is set for vast expansion of the wealth management industry.

"Defeated Wall Street strategies and deflated insurance brands have driven people to their CPAs and other trusted financial professionals," says Batman. "The profitable growth opportunities provided by wealth management can carry specially selected CPA firms from success to significance."

About 1st Global
1st Global was founded in 1992 by CPAs who believe that accounting, tax and estate planning firms are uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive wealth management services to their clients. 1st Global provides CPA, tax and estate planning firms the education, technology, business-building framework and client solutions that make these firms leaders in their professions through dedicated professional client relationships built around wealth management.

More than 450 firms have chosen to affiliate with 1st Global, making us one of the largest financial services partners for the tax, accounting and legal professions.

1st Global Capital Corp. is a member of FINRA and SIPC and is headquartered at 8150 N. Central Expressway, Suite 500 in Dallas, Texas, (214) 265-1201. Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc., an SEC-Registered Investment Adviser. Additional information about 1st Global is available via the Internet at 1stGlobal.com

SOURCE 1st Global