“After 50 years in the same chair, guiding clients through tax planning, estate planning, and wealth management, I know what matters most: consistency, trust, and walking the long road together.”

For over five decades, Jeff Mueller, CPA, PFS™, has helped guide families in Canon City with wisdom, clarity, and heart. Now, as a Partner with Waverly Advisors—a fee-only fiduciary firm that does not sell insurance products or hold commission-based licenses—he’s expanding that legacy, combining local trust with national expertise to better serve clients today and in the future. Enjoy this Fireside Chat with Jeff on merging with Waverly Advisors.

Q: Jeff, let’s start with the big question—why did you decide to merge your practice with Waverly Advisors?

Jeff: That’s a great question and one I’ve been asked a lot. The decision wasn’t about stepping away—it was about stepping up for the next phase of our journey. I wanted to ensure that our clients here in Canon City would always have access to not only personal, high-touch planning but also deep investment expertise, advanced tools, and a strong team. Waverly Advisors allows us to do just that, without losing the personal connection that has defined this office for FIFTY YEARS. As a sole advisor fiduciary firm I had a responsibility to secure a “safety net” in case anything were to happen to me. Waverly provides that. Waverly also brings the kind of research and technology that my single small office just couldn’t provide alone.

Q: How did you know Waverly Advisors was the right fit?

Jeff: Cultural fit was everything to me. Waverly isn’t a giant corporate machine—they’re a collaborative, advisor-led firm that shares our values: integrity, personal relationships, and putting clients first. After months of conversations, it became clear that Waverly could strengthen what we already do well while respecting our roots here in the community. We had over 80 national firm inquiries and after narrowing it down to 10, Waverly became the clear choice for me, our firm, employees and valued clients. Their Fiduciary and fee only standards coincide with ours perfectly. Like us, they too are people of faith with a great emphasis on being grateful and thankful as CORE values.

Q: What does this mean for your clients? Will anything change in how they work with you?

Jeff: At its core—no. I’m still here. As a Partner now with Waverly, I will still be leading the Canon City office, meeting with clients just like always. But now, our clients will benefit from the added support of a larger team, enhanced research, financial planning technology, and deeper bench strength in the areas I have always provided like estate planning, tax strategy, and portfolio management. It’s like adding horsepower without changing the driver.

Q: What are the biggest strengths Waverly brings to the table?

Jeff: They bring superior research, modern technology and institutional-grade investment management. Also, access to specialists in complex planning, and a national network of advisors we can lean on to support our already best practices. For example, supported by our Colorado Springs office, we and our clients now have access to a dedicated portfolio manager, Erik, who brings incredible depth in investment strategy. Plus, Sean has joined us with a strong background in retirement planning and computerized planning software—so we can now offer even more comprehensive planning under one roof.

Q: What would you say to a long-time client who’s worried about “big firm” culture taking over?

Jeff: In my discussions with Waverly from the beginning, they wanted to “support” our local office and add resources, not “take it over”. I’d tell them I asked the same questions—and wouldn’t have moved forward if taking over was the case. Waverly empowers local leadership. As a Waverly Partner, I still make the decisions here in Canon City, and our relationships remain at the heart of what we do. The only thing that’s changed is that we now have more tools and resources behind us to serve our clients better. Also, one of my top main motivations was to protect and secure our clients and staff from any future unseen disruption in my life.

Q: What’s next for the Canon City office?

Jeff: After 50 years in Canon City as THE Legacy Firm with more years serving the local market that ANYONE else, we anticipate more of the same—but stronger. This merger was to prepare our firm for the next chapter of our journey in Canon City and the greater Fremont County. We’re doubling down on our client-first approach and expanding our capacity to help with complex needs. Whether someone’s planning for retirement, managing a business exit, or thinking about legacy and estate planning, we’re better positioned than ever to guide them every step of the way. To us what matters is having a CPA Personal Financial Specialist as the financial advisor. Licenses to “sell” products is simply not the same as credentials such as CPA/PFS or CFP which have been long considered to be the cornerstone of trust, planning and management. Waverly and our Colorado Springs office is bringing strong, experienced and credentialed advisors and team members to our local market. We will continue to strive to be the leader in fee only fiduciary advice and guidance.

Q: Final thoughts, Jeff?

Jeff: This merger is not only about the present but also the future—about continuity, strength, integrity, independent advice and making sure our clients have a long-term partner no matter where life takes them and where it takes me. I’m excited, and I know our clients will be too. This was done with THEM in mind 100% knowing that good things happen when their needs are put FIRST.

Call To Action: For five decades, families in Canon City have turned to Jeff Mueller for trusted financial guidance. If you’d like to experience that same level of care and insight, call today at 719-275-1651