Exhibit j

               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
               ---------------------------------------------------

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated December 12, 2003, relating to the
financial statements and financial highlights which appears in the October 31,
2003 Annual Report of the Heritage Series Trust, which is also incorporated by
reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to
us under the headings "Financial Highlights" and "Independent Certified Public
Accountants" in such Registration Statement.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Tampa, Florida
December 23, 2003