Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who specializes in retirement planning. He is the founder of Roots First Financial and an associate of Cherry Creek Wealth Management, Inc. Matt is a graduate of Brigham Young University where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. He began his career in Big 4 public accounting with Ernst & Young where he remained for 5 years. Matt then shifted focus to financial services with a specific emphasis on tax planning and social security in retirement.

“I noticed there was a gigantic gap in retirement planning. If there’s ever a question about taxes, most financial advisors refer a client to their respective CPA. The paradox, however, is that most CPAs are so busy getting tax returns done in the spring, that they only focus on how to lower clients’ taxes in the current year. It is rare that a CPA will sit down with a client and plan how to lower their taxes over the long run. That’s where I come in.”

 “The reason I enjoy teaching Social Security classes is because it’s an enormously complex system for which it’s very difficult to get accurate information. I’ve had numerous people come to my seminar that had been told conflicting information by the Social Security Office. One lady was even able to go collect a lump-sum check for 6 months of back pay and began a strategy that would pay her $90,000 over the next 3 years that prior to my class, she was unaware existed.”

In addition to his CPA, Matt holds insurance and securities licenses and is a National Social Security Advisor. Outside of the office, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 kids, getting outside and playing hockey (poorly).