Effective financial planning for executives and entrepreneurs is complex, dense, and impossible to reduce to a single, easy-to-understand formula. Designed to emphasize the importance of effective, targeted financial planning, this book begins by telling a story about a fictional, but plausible, power couple and their family who (spoiler alert!) do pretty much everything wrong in securing their financial future. In most cases, they dont do the things needed because they dont know what they are. Using this story as a case study of executives and entrepreneurs, the book breaks down the case into chapters and offers practical discussions of all the key financial planning pillarsinvestment planning, tax planning, estate planning, philanthropic planning, risk management, and equity-based compensation to name a fewwith the tools needed to tailor a plan for virtually every circumstance and need. While there is no single plan that works for everybody, this book will provide a guide with complicated, technical information alongside specific guidance on how to build an effective financial plan.

Michael J. Nathanson is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of The Colony Group, LLC. He is widely regarded as a leader in the wealth management industry and is committed to sharing his knowledge and experience with colleagues, clients, and the next generation of industry leaders. He is active in many industry-wide organizations and has served on numerous boards, including the Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services Advisor Council and the Schwab Advisor Services Advisory Board. Previously, he served on the Board of Advisors for Boston Universitys Program for Financial Planners and as Co-Chairman of the Boston Bar Association Tax Section. Previously, Nathanson served as Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel of The Colony Group. Prior to joining The Colony Group, he was a Senior Partner at the international law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, where he held several leadership positions. He earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude,from Harvard Law School, an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Brandeis University, where he was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa and was the recipient of numerous academic honors.

Jeffrey T. Craig,CFP®

Senior Vice President& Senior Wealth Advisor

Jennifer A. Geoghegan, MBA

Chief Strategy Officer

Nadine Gordon Lee, CPA/PFS, CFP®

Managing Director, Metro NY Offices& President, Colony Group Family Office

Vice President& Senior Wealth Advisor

Seth P. Hieken, MSF, CFA

Executive Vice President& Director of Proprietary Strategies

Matthew C. Ilteris, CFP®, EA®

Vice President& Senior Wealth Advisor

D. Scott McDonald, MSFP, CFP®

Senior Vice President& Senior Wealth Advisor

Senior Vice President& Senior Wealth Advisor

President of Client Services

1. The Story of David and Goliath and Abby and Samson, Part I.- 2. The Goals of Executive Financial Planning Peace of Mind and the Five Pillars.- 3. Understanding and Negotiating Executive Employment Agreements for Success.- 4. The ABCs (and ESPPs, RSUs, SARs, ISOs, and NSOs) of Equity-Based Compensation.- 5. The Story of David and Goliath and Abby and Samson, Part II.- 6. Achieving Financial Independence Goals-Based Planning.- 7. Investment Planning in Five Steps.- 8. Tax Planning and the Ten Commandments.- 9. Estate Planning and Why It's Really so Important.- 10. Planning for Philanthropy and What it Can Do for Everyone.- 11. Managing Some of Life's Great Risks through Insurance.- 12. Finding the Right Advisors.- 13. The Alternative Story of Delilah, Redemption, and the Promise Land.