If you're looking for fundamental information on the financial planning profession, Jeffrey Rattiner's “Getting Started as a Financial Planner” is definitely worthwhile reading.
Formerly an executive with the Institute of Certified Financial Planners, Rattiner provides a detailed 10-step guideline for investment professionals and others who want to set up shop as a financial planner, from deciding on a business structure (should you establish an S corporation or a limited liability company?) to preparing a business plan and complying with state and federal regulations.
The text is easy to read and chock-full of practical and useful worksheets, checklists and client questionnaires. There's also an ample supply of definitions to help make sense of the alphabet soup you'll come across if you plan to become certified as a CFP or ChFC or CFA.
For stockbrokers interested in transitioning toward financial planning, the most valuable information is in Chapters 6 and 7. There you'll find more advanced explanations of the different ways to charge your clients (hourly fees, asset-based charges, etc.), samples of client invoices and detailed marketing plans.
“Getting Started as a Financial Planner” (Bloomberg Press (ISBN 1576600351) costs $34.95 and is available at bookstores and online.
