EXHIBIT (j)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our reports dated October 14, 2008, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appear in the August 31, 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders of the California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds, which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.  We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial Highlights", "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and "Financial Statements" in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP                              

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Kansas City, Missouri

December 22, 2008