Exhibit (14) (a) (1)

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 December 12, 2008, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appear in the October 31, 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders of the Laudus U.S. MarketMasters Fund and the Schwab Core Equity Fund, which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Highlights” and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Francisco, California

February 9, 2009