The Alliance’s Growth Leadership Award for firms with more than $1 billion went to St. Louis- based Financial Management Partners. It has implemented a mixed pricing schedule and a client acceptance committee, which evaluates potential clients for the value it can provide them, their compatibility with its culture, and the price it can fairly offer them. The firm maintains a culture where clients, advisors and staff are truly aligned in their focus on families’ financial well being, according to FWA.

The Growth Leadership Award for firms with under $1 billion was won by Cincinnati –based Truepoint Capital which offers families a suite of services to best fit their goals and objectives and fiduciary level services to elite athletes and select entertainers. Providing integrated financial planning, individual and corporate tax compliance, investment management as well as estate and trust services, Truepoint has enjoyed an average annual growth of 25 per cent.

Based on a weighted score, three MFOs tied for the Leadership Award for Top Independent Competitor: BBR Partners, SCS Financial and Vogel Consulting. This demonstrates that independent client-centric firms have established a strong presence in private wealth management, according to The Alliance.

Founded in February 2000 New York-based BBR is a boutique, investment-focused wealth-management firm known for its high level of client service and insightful manager selection, FWA said.  By integrating cutting-edge tax and trust and estate planning, over the course of 10 years, the firm has grown to 55 employees managing over $4.3 billion for 69 families.

SCS Financial Services of Boston was founded in October 2002 to provide investment and integrated wealth management solutions to ultra-high net worth families. Offering conflict-free investment advice to private clients and family offices, as well as a few endowments, foundations and pension plans, SCS manages approximately $7 billion, has more than 100 clients and approximately 50 employees.

Vogel Consulting has grown from its humble beginnings in Brookfield, Wisconsin into a nationally recognized firm with two offices, FWA said.  With hourly fees, computerized project management and adaptive service offerings, the firm had over $3 billion in assets in 2008. That year, it also received The Alliance’s Leadership Award for Excellence in Operations.  Currently, 54 per cent of Vogel’s client base owns operating businesses and it has an international joint venture arrangement for 2011.

“Each year we laud firms for their achievements and contributions to the private wealth arena. This time, our winners clearly commanded attention by their significant growth and commitment to client service,” Maitreyee Angelo, managing director of The Alliance said.  Findings of FWA’s Seventh Annual Multi Family Office Study were a deciding factor for the awards.