Rating: 
Summary: His heart is in the right place...
Review: A real book, not a pie-in-the-sky, full of theory book. Written by a author who's heart is in the right place. Many people from many different industries are pouring into the financial planning industry. This book provides them with practical, step-by-step, approaches needed to dig in and get started.
Mr. Rattiner gives the reader a solid framework on which to build. He outlines the key points, something very needed, if someone is new to the industry. An excellent reminder to those of us in the business.
Excellent summaries, charts, checklists and samples are sprinkled throught the book.
My favorite chapter was "Marketing Your Practice" and the sample SWOT Analysis.
In total, if you are looking for a "Nuts & Bolts" book and wish to get started in the process of becoming a financial Planner, this book is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Want to just play, or be successful at financial planning?
Review: Anyone reviewer who doesn't see the incredible value in this book doesn't know much about running a business. I have read every book available on building and managing a financial planning practice. Rattiner gives the best advice so far on developing a business plan and marketing plan for a financial planning practice.There are a plethora of books on the craft of financial planning. Finally, a seroius book that treats this business as something other than a second income career.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the read...
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the read...
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful!
Review: How can you plan other people's financial futures without a firm grip on your own professional plan? If you are trained and ready with the know-how and skills to be a financial planner, but could use some help getting your professional practice together, here's the book you need. Author Jeffrey H. Rattiner guides you through the basics of setting up your business. While he doesn't teach you how to be a financial planner - that would be an entirely different book - he does cover everything else you need to open your office, including an explanation of the education and certification process in the U.S.. He shows you how to create a business and marketing plan, how to deal with clients and understand their needs, how to comply with regulations and how to protect yourself legally. His book is filled with useful lists and charts; We [...] were particularly impressed with his excellent resource section. Fledgling financial planners, line up here.
Rating:
Summary: A great book for the Novice Planner
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Not particularly useful
Review: I bought this book from another source at a "fire sale," which should have tipped me off to the relative value of the book. Previously I had purchased Jim Ainsworth's "How To Become A Successful Financial Consultant," which is an outstanding book, and I was hoping for more of the same from Rattiner. I can only say that the Rattiner book is useful primarily in that it makes me appreciate the quality of the Ainsworth book even more.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent guide for any aspiring financial planner
Review: I find the book Getting Started as a Financial Planner by Jeffrey Rattiner as a very valuable source of information for anyone who wants to enter the financial planning career. Rattiner gives an excellent overview of financial planning. He delineates the dos and the donts of the business and provides important tips and insights regarding how to develop a business infrastructure, how to market the practice and how to communicate with the client. He informs the reader about legal issues involved in the practice and about resources and the training needed to become a financial professional. I like the easy style of Mr. Rattiner's writing, the in-depth nature of his chapters and the use of examples and worksheets throughout his book.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book !!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book !!
Review: 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.
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