I am now off and running with respect to writing a book to guide accounting firms in terms of financial services. Many clients need assistance with superannuation, investment, retirement planning and estate planning. Certainly, almost all clients are chronically under-insured. How then should accountants guide clients to obtain such assistance when the accountant’s firm may not have the capability in-house? Even where such capability exists, clients may not always receive the service they need.

To start the process, I have pulled together many of the articles which I have written over the years based on this topic. From this I have mapped out an outline of the topics to be covered. I am now writing the chapters and linking the articles together. Once completed I will compile a took kit to assist firms get the most from the advice provided. It’s a big undertaking but one which has been on my project list for some time. I’m looking forward to the journey as it will enable me to pass on from what I have learned from many years of working in this area. The book will contain lessons learned from my days as an accountant in practice but also from the facilitation role I have played in organising numerous collaborations between accounting practices and financial planning firms.

I am pleased to say that I have already received expressions of interest in the project from one of the peak accounting bodies and a book publisher which services professional services firms.

I expect the book to be completed during 2012 and welcome enquiries.