Customer Reviews

So You Want to be a Financial Planner : Your Guide to a New Career, 2nd Edition

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is not a book describing how to do FP. Maybe that's what the other negative reviewers were looking for. It is a comprehensive view of being in the business, and the various ways to be in the business, e.g. as a FP with insurance companies, with broker/dealers, or as an independent. However, it is not just Jones telling us this; she includes first hand accounts from actual folks who went the various routes, and they provide details of their experiences with the particular companies they were employed by (MetLife, American Express, Waddell & Reed, etc.) These contributors give you the good and bad: how much money they made (or didn't make), which companies expect you to be just a salesperson for their products vs an objective financial planner, etc. Thus, this book is an invaluable resource for someone seriously considering changing careers to FP, or for a college grad who has chosen FP as a career. It can be, as another reviewer noted, a bit depressing, but you need to know the reality of the business if you're going to make the leap. Don't do it without reading this unique book first. And if you are looking for a book on how to do FP, this is not the book you're looking for.

*** DISCLAIMER - This review is posted by the publisher! ***

Please note that an updated 3rd edition is now available, in both digital and paperback formats. The 3rd edition has more content plus, of course, updated references.

The 2nd edition has been EOL'd - Amazon has promised to delete this 2nd edition from their listing, but in the meantime we would like to direct you to the 3rd edition.

BTW - Note that Amazon requires us to rate the book in order to post this notice. While we of course feel that this is an excellent book for career advice, we have chosen to use the average of the ratings submitted by users.

I am a recent career changer. I have read a number of financial planning related books (Rattiner, Sestina, Stone etc..). Nancy's is tops at offering valuable, practical insight into the financial planning field. She passionately provides "must have" information on a profession that is long overdue--and badly in need of--career-track clarification. In both her book and in her role as moderator on Financial Planning Interactive's "Career Building" online forum, Nancy unselfishly shares her knowledge and acts as a mentor to those looking at this growing profession. A "must read" for beginners or even those just considering a career in financial planning.
An enjoyable read to boot!

--Beginning CFP student

This was my first book on the topic, and I found it to be very solid. The book covers a brief history and evolution of the profession, professional expectations and certifications, educational options necessary to achieve certification or professional competence, options on how to get started actually practicing (working for insurance companies, securities brokers/dealers, self-practice, etc.), the regulatory requirements involving licensing (investment adviser) and record keeping practices, and marketing (focused primarily on promotion). The material is typically delivered through a brief explanation of the topic, accompanied by personal insight and numerous stories from colleagues. In one of the final chapters the author presents numerous stories on how various practioners migrated through their first 5 years of getting started in their practice. The insight and stories are very helpful; during certain passages it would have been more helpful to provide additional detailed explanation rather than "life experiences", but there is certainly enough there to lead you to appropriate web sites where more information could be gathered. Regarding the hefty price of the book, if you are serious about being a financial planner, then you'd better get accustomed to the concept of value, and value based pricing. I feel that I got my money's worth.

Anyone who is interested in the career of a financial planner should consider Nancy Langdon's book the most complete resource. She covers every aspect of the career--the good and the bad. This book isn't what you'd expect, it tells the truth.

What I like most about the book is the "sensitive financial planning" ethic and how financial planners differ from brokers.

This book sees the career of financial planning exactly as it is...you will be able to assess financial institutions for what they really are rather than relying on just their marketing tactics when deciding on which company is best for you.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in financial planning--no other book comes close!

There are a lot of different paths that one can choose to enter the Financial Planning field. This book takes an unbiased look at several of these paths and, in many cases, uses testimonials of people who have chosen each respective path. The author emphasizes the importance of attaining the CFP certification throughout the book. She also provides a plethora (yes plethora) of resources for those interested in the field. The key is to find the right syestem for the individual. Before I read this book I had a vision of how my practice would be. After reading the book, I made some adjustments to my plan and was able to fill it out with elements I had not considered before. This book is filled with useful information and interesting nuggets! I strongly recommend anyone who is considering entre into the field to read this book first!

By far the best book I have read on getting started in the industry. Other books may explain the procedures for financial planning once in practice, but none that I have read really get down to the process to get you started. With easy to follow steps, checklists, links, and real life examples, this is truly the best book out there for those looking to get into the financial planning profession.

This book probably covers all aspects of financial planner profession. It includes education and where to get it; experience and how to gain it; support network and how to use existing one or start a new one; and most important, at least to me, what to expect in a daily routine.
Interviews with professionals helped me to decide if being a financial planner is for me. This is a excellent book of knowledge for anyone considering financial planner profession.

This book provides a large amount of information at a faily basic level. The information provided was useful. The book gives a broad overview of the industry and provides guidance for those considering a career in financial planning. Use this book as a starting point if you are considering a financial planning career.

*** DISCLAIMER - This review is posted by the publisher! ***

Please note that an updated 3rd edition is now available, in both digital and paperback formats. The 3rd edition has more content plus, of course, updated references.

The 2nd edition has been EOL'd - Amazon has promised to delete this 2nd edition from their listing, but in the meantime we would like to direct you to the 3rd edition.

BTW - Note that Amazon requires us to rate the book in order to post this notice. While we of course feel that this is an excellent book for career advice, we have chosen to use the average of the ratings submitted by users.