Josh Short, CFP® , EA

I'm a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), IRS Enrolled Agent (EA), and the founder of OptimalPath Advisors, a flat-fee, fee-only financial planning firm built specifically for people pursuing Financial Independence.

My story starts in 2018 when I discovered the FIRE movement during my 20-year career in banking. I went all in: restructuring our finances, optimizing our tax strategy, and building toward FI while still working full time. When we reached our number, I left banking to build the exact advisory firm I wish I'd had along the way.

I work with people who are on the same path I walked: building toward FI, planning for early retirement, or figuring out what comes next after hitting their goal. My approach is practical, action-oriented, and unites your investments and tax strategy under one roof so they never operate in silos.

When we work together, we focus on:

• Clear cash flow strategy and FI milestone tracking
• A personalized Financial Independence Score that tells you exactly where you stand and what it takes to close any gap
• Tax-efficient investing and asset location strategy
• Integrated tax planning (Roth conversions, ACA/IRMAA planning, withdrawal sequencing)
• Annual tax preparation (included for ongoing clients)
• Equity compensation planning

When I'm not running projections, I live in East Tennessee with my wife, Amanda, and our two dogs, Molly (a Lab mix) and Peach (a Golden Retriever). We love traveling and spending time outdoors, hiking the mountains in our backyard or exploring National Parks around the country.