Joseph W. Goetz, Ph.D.

Dr. Joe Goetz: A Leader in Investment and Retirement Planning
Dr. Joe Goetz is a nationally recognized financial expert, specializing in investment and retirement planning for individuals and couples. With deep expertise in advanced financial planning strategies, Joe is passionate about crafting tailored solutions that optimize his clients' financial futures. His commitment to excellence was recognized in 2013 when he was honored as the Financial Counselor of the Year by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE).

Pioneering Financial Planning Education
As a co-founder of the master’s and doctoral programs in financial planning at the University of Georgia (UGA), Joe has made a lasting impact on the profession. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Director of UGA's Financial Planning Program, guiding its growth and shaping its reputation as one of the premier programs in the nation. Today, he continues to teach graduate courses as a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor, UGA’s highest teaching honor. His role as an educator translates seamlessly into his client work, where he takes the time to ensure clients fully understand and are confident in their financial plans and investment strategies.

A Prolific Thought Leader in Financial Planning
Joe’s influence extends beyond his work with clients and students. He has co-authored two books and contributed over 50 peer-reviewed publications to the financial planning field. His thought leadership is highly respected, with Joe having served on the editorial boards of prestigious journals such as the Journal of Financial Planning, Journal of Personal Finance, Journal of Financial Therapy, and Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning. His expertise has also been featured in leading publications like The Wall Street Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, U.S. News & World Report, and The New York Times.

Academic Excellence and Prestigious Honors
Joe’s academic journey has been marked by excellence and achievement. He earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he was inducted into the prestigious Mystical Seven, a society recognizing "the top seven senior students passing through the university each year." His graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Texas Tech University resulted in three advanced degrees, including a doctorate focused on financial planning. His groundbreaking dissertation, A Five-Nation Examination of Investment Risk Tolerance, earned the Robert O. Herrmann Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Council on Consumer Interests (ACCI).

A Dedication to Community and Pro Bono Work
Joe’s commitment to financial empowerment extends beyond the classroom and boardroom. As a co-founder of the University of Georgia ASPIRE Clinic and the founder of a pro bono financial counseling and planning program, Joe has spent the more than a decade championing financial education and support for low-income families in the Athens community. His pro bono program has become a vital resource, serving clients from local non-profit organizations and providing them with the financial guidance needed to achieve stability. He also serves on the Board of Directors for The Ark United Ministry Outreach Center, further demonstrating his passion for service and community involvement.

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