Exhibit (14)(a)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-14 of our report dated August 20, 2014 relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appears in the June 30, 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders of Meridian Equity Income Fund, which is also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms (“Auditors”)” and “Financial Highlights” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Francisco, California

April 20, 2015