[.ca] Getting Started As A Financial Planner (ISBN 1576600351)

Worth the read...:
First let me say how much I enjoyed this book. Being interested in the field, I chose the book as a glimpse into the profession before I made any leaps. I think the book takes a good survey of the profession while illustrating some do's and don'ts. I was hoping for a more in-depth analysis, but will have to live without (hence the 4 stars and not 5). If you are looking at this profession for the first time, I would wholeheartedly recommend this book. If you have already done your homework or have started working for a major broker/dealer, then you probably won't sacrafice too much. Of course, that isn't to say you won't get something out of it. I believe this book may have something for you, it just won't be as much. Enjoy.

Outstanding book !!:
I read many business books and when I find one worthwhile I type a summary a page or two long and file it categorically. Not only was this book worthy of a writeup for my personal files but I couldn't get my "summary" under 7 pages. I am a CPA and MBA who was considering starting a personal financial planning practice at some point in the future. That point in the future will probably be much sooner than anticipated after reading this book. It is very insightful and has been instrumental in the business plan I have been working on for a PFP practice.

Jeffrey Rattiner's book hits the mark:
When I started out as an independent financial planner almost 8 years ago there was little on the market in terms of well written, content-rich references on financial planning. I recently came across Jeffrey Rattiner's "getting started" book for financial planners. First, I wish I had this book 8 years ago. It would have saved me time and mistakes when I got started. The second point to make is that Rattiner's book, especially the sections on managing client relationships and marketing, is thorough and practical. For example, as Rattiner points out there are important psychological issues at play (denial,guilt,avoidance, etc.) between planner and client that affect the relationship.These issues need to be recognized and managed to forge a productive, long-term association. The section on marketing is also right on target. While Rattiner's advice largely focuses on the new planner, I found his range of marketing strategies to be a good reminder of the broad approach the financial planner needs to take to get the best ROI on marketing spending. Overall, Rattiner is very successful in presenting the various challenges and solutions the new(and experienced)planner needs to address. "Getting Started as a Financial Planner" is money well spent.

Good Organizational book for a new financial planner:
This book has provided me with a lot of useful information in starting a new Financial Planning Practice. The only drawback to this book is that it was written before significant tax law changes took place in 2001. If a new edition came out with that information, it would be excellent!

A great book for the Novice Planner:
I am looking to establish my own financial planning firm, so I searched for material to read so that the process would be easier. Rattiner authored another book that I read so I was familiar with his energy and commitment to the profession. "Getting Started as a Financial Planner" was a good book. I will recommend it to my CFP classmates at NYU.