Fee-Only Financial PLANNERS

Build the future that matters most to you.

Work with the most experienced team of fee-only financial advisors in Athens, GA. Experience the benefits of customized and comprehensive financial planning advice from an unparalleled team of financial planners - now with offices in Athens, Atlanta, Charleston, and Naples - serving families nationwide.


Lindsay Elwood and Dr. Joe Goetz, founding partners of Elwood & Goetz, image
  • OUR PROMISE

Wealth Management Focused on You

As steadfast legal fiduciaries, our advisors are unwavering in their dedication to placing our clients' best interests at the forefront of every decision.

We see helping you navigate your financial future as a privilege. It’s an opportunity we cherish deeply. Whether you're already in retirement or a young professional just starting out, we have an unparalleled team of experts dedicated to you.    

We have our roots in Athens - home of The University of Georgia (UGA) - where we are the oldest independent, fee-only financial planning firm. Now with offices in Atlanta (GA), Charleston (SC), and Naples (FL), we serve clients nationwide.

Our high success stems from our unique service offering from an exceptional team of Distinguished Professors and Certified Financial Planners.  

We value diversity of thought and have made this a priority in building our team over almost two decades. Our distinguished advisors, having honed their expertise at industry giants such as Vanguard, Fidelity, TIAA-CREF, Merrill Lynch, and Goldman Sachs, have chosen to bring their wealth of knowledge to our firm.

Our Client-First Approach

According to the Wall Street Journal, only 2% of financial planning firms are legally required to always make optimal recommendations for their clients. We are among those 2%—by our choice and by our values.  

We believe in the importance of our fiduciary duty. We don't sell products, and we’ll never accept commissions or kickbacks.  

That means you'll get objective advice every time. Plus, our fee-only structure helps ensure that our success is measured only by yours.

We’re a 100% independent and employee-owned financial planning firm. That means we are not beholden to any outside broker-dealers or wholesalers. We don't have shareholders — we have stakeholders: our clients and our team.

We aren't restricted to any specific products or funds. We invest our clients' financial assets in the best mutual funds and exchange traded funds in the world, tailored to their specific goals, needs, and situation.

Our financial advisors earned degrees specifically in financial planning, and several hold the most prestigious credentials in the profession, including Ph.D., CFP® and CDFA®. Our team also includes distinguished university professors who have published more than 200 articles and authored multiple books on financial planning.

‍And we never stop striving to learn for the benefit of our clients. We actively conduct research, dive deeply into the latest academic journals, and attend leading continuing education conferences around the country.  

All components of your life are connected to your financial well-being, so we address them all—from spendings and savings to retirement planning and everything in between.

We don't believe in cookie-cutter approaches to wealth management. We focus on the details that are important to you and build financial plans personalized for your needs and situation.

Financial planning isn’t a short-term process or one-time event. That's why we foster honest, life-long relationships with our clients. You should always be able to count on your financial advisors, both today and decades from now.

Our clients receive personalized, responsive service. It’s a large part of how we’ve maintained our reputation as one of the country's top wealth management firms — and a 99% client retention rate.

  • THERE AT EVERY TURN

Who We Serve

We love working with young professionals and retirees, alike. We may not be the best fit for everyone, but we will help everyone find the best fit for them.

A professor and student having a conversation, image

Professors & Professionals

We’ll help you build a strong financial plan that considers all areas of your financial well-being — so you can focus on your career and the people who matter most to you.

A small business owner outside of restaurant, image

Founders & Business Executives

Our team’s unique experience positions us to create financial plans that show the whole picture. From establishing 401(k) plans and developing succession strategies to building personal retirement and tax plans, we have you covered.

A married couple embracing and smiling at home, image

Financially Independent & Retirees

You’ve worked hard to build your future. Now, it's time to protect and enjoy it. We’ll help optimize your tax strategies, investment portfolio, and income distribution plan while you pursue your next adventure.

>500
FAMILIES AND 
HOUSEHOLDS
>90%
Client Retention Rate*
>30
States and abroad
*Updated annually for year 2024
Michelle Kruger_CFP_Senior Financial Planner_Elwood Goetz
  • Our Team

Your Trusted Financial Partners

When you work with us, you aren't assigned a single financial advisor. Instead, you work with a team of certified advisors who are familiar with your financial situation and committed to your success.

Meet Our Advisors