Best Accounting Books

Best Accounting Books | Accounting Smarts
Charles Hall

Last updated by

Charles Hall

on

June 10, 2022

Being aware of basic accounting practices is beneficial for everyone, from small business owners to experienced CPSs. Accounting books can help with that.

Being aware of basic accounting practices is beneficial for everyone, from small business owners to experienced CPSs. Accounting books can help with that.

If mathematics and accounts aren't your thing, it's even more important for you to read a few accounting books to gain some basic knowledge. Some of the best accounting books that deserve a read include Accounting for the Number Phobic, Financial Shenanigans, and Double Entry.

Accounting knowledge is essential for everything from financial planning to making informed investment judgments. Reading accounting books is a great way to increase your knowledge about the ins and outs of accounting.

Among the many titles available on the market, we've found some of the best accounting books that are both useful and interesting. This list is based on expert knowledge and has been created after thorough research. Let's get into it.

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

ShowHide

Table of contents

Best Accounting Books

Financial Shenanigans

This brilliant book is written by Howard M. Schilit, Yoni Engelhart, and Jeremy Perler. Together, they give readers an introduction to the world of accounting scandals in the fourth edition of their best-selling book, Financial Shenanigans: How to Detect Accounting Gimmicks and Fraud in Financial Reports.

Schilit, the original edition's writer, is well-known in the department of forensic accounting. He is also the president and Owner of Schilit Forensics, an investing research and training firm that helps clients prevent corruption and detect deceptive accounting practices.

Schilit and co empower investors with the information they've gathered throughout the last 25 years of forensic accounting. The book describes obvious deception and more common techniques that corporations use to exaggerate their worth to potential investors.

All in all, Financial Shenanigans is an interesting read for anyone who wants to learn more about fraud cases. It can also help private investors and even minor shareholders.

The book is easily available on Amazon and costs $23.99 to $24.22, depending on whether you choose Kindle, Audiobook, or Hardcover.

Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine

profit-first-transform-your-business-from-a-cash-eating-monster-to-a-money-making-machine
Picture of the Profit First Book

The next book on our list talks about basic accounting information and business strategies that educate readers on prioritizing profits. You will learn how to reduce bookkeeping and other expenses using a new accounting viewpoint. The book also explains four fundamental accounting rules.

The idea is like what many financial experts advise when it comes to defending money – take the cash immediately from your paycheck rather than from what's left. Author Mike Michalowicz's down-to-earth style, in conjunction with his distinctive budgeting and forecasting tricks, makes it an excellent read.

Michalowicz, a successful entrepreneur, uses numerous case studies to demonstrate his theories in action, which makes this book a perfect choice for all accounting enthusiasts.

Profit First can be ordered from Amazon for about $9.99.

Accounting for the Numberphobic: A Survival Guide for Small Business Owners

accounting-for-the-numberphobic-a-survival-guide-for-small-business-owners
Picture of the Accounting for the Numberphobic Book

Seeing countless numbers in spreadsheets can be incredibly daunting, especially if you have no idea what you're looking at. Dawn Fotopulos' "Accounting for the Numberphobic" is for those who try to run away from their accounting duties any chance they get but require a basic understanding of it.

It explains how to read a net income report, cash flows, financial statements, and other critical parts of accounting relevant to your organization. More importantly, it helps you answer critical questions, including how much any company is worth and how much income is required to be sustainable.

On Amazon, Accounting for the Numberphobic is available for $12 to $15.90.

Accounting for Non-Accountants: Financial Accounting Made Simple for Beginners

accounting-for-non-accountants-financial-accounting-made-simple-for-beginners
Picture of the Accounting for Non-Accountants Book

Accounting for Non-Accountants is written by CPA Wayne A. Label, a teacher with a Ph.D. in accounting. It caters to readers who are unfamiliar with fundamental accounting vocabulary, making it an excellent foundation for the subject.

Beginning with the essentials, such as the distinguishing elements of financial statements, generally acknowledged best practices in accounting, and accounting principles in the United States and worldwide, the fundamentals of accountancy are communicated to readers in layman's terms.

After finishing the book, readers will gain a rudimentary understanding of financial terminologies, governing organizations, and best practices. Fundamental short-term analysis, planning, auditing, morality, and fraud are all covered in detail.

The book is laid out in a traditional textbook fashion, with colored areas giving quick tips and useful glossaries. Each section begins with a bulleted list of the basic information included within it, making it simple for readers to find what they need.

If you're interested in buying this accounting book, check it out on Amazon.

Double Entry: How the Merchants of Venice Created Modern Finance

double-entry-how-the-merchants-of-venice-created-modern-finance
Picture of the Double Entry Book

The New Yorker, Publishers Weekly, and The Wall Street Journal all gave this book positive reviews, and it was an instant hot seller just after being published. Double Entry is a must-have for anyone who wants to fully understand how the United States became the capitalist giant that we know today.

The book was written by the longtime reporter and novelist Jane Gleeson-White, which is reason enough to include this masterpiece in our list! Gleeson White's narrative skills are demonstrated by the fact that a book about the origins of accountancy received a literary prize.

The story begins in 7,000 B.C. (approximately) and concludes with the financial crisis of 2008. Gleeson White covers this vast period with such an ease that it conceals the complexity of the subject.

Double Entry is a significant book of historical and economic relevance, and its depiction of our economy's amazing advancements over time provides enough fuel for reflection for individuals in and out of the accounting sector.

This book can be easily purchased on Amazon for $9.49.

Taxes Made Simple: Income Taxes Explained in 100 Pages or Less

taxes-made-simple-income-taxes-explained-in-100-pages-or-less
Picture of the Taxes Made Simple Book

The first tentative step into the accounting sector should be taken with caution; after all, it's not easy to deal with the in-depth information and complicated vocabulary right away. Piper's accounting book is straightforward, with practical and basic illustrations that serve to clarify topics without relying on technical language.

The fundamental concepts of subjects such as the accounting equation and its relevance, reading and preparing financial reports, and interpreting a range of economic ratios, as well as the notions behind generally accepted accounting principles, are described in a straightforward way.

This accounting textbook is a decent read for young beginners and will keep them engrossed until the conclusion while also reinforcing their concepts, which is why we have included this book in our list!

You can buy Taxes Made Simple on Amazon for $4.99 to $5.81.

Accounting All-in-One for Dummies with Online Practice

accounting-all-in-one-for-dummies-with-online-practice
Picture of the Accounting All-in-One for Dummies with Online Practice Book

The simplest solution to most of our difficulties is a one-stop-shop for all challenges. In this case, Accounting All-in-One for Dummies is the best resource. Every accounting expert, MBA student, or small business owner looking for a quick learning guide should consider purchasing this accounting book.

Kenneth Boyd, the book's main author, emphasizes that accounting occupations entail more than merely sitting behind a desk crunching numbers all day. From tax planning to government fraud prevention to working in a dynamic firm, there are many different auditors and industries in which they work.

Boyd further adds that for individuals who enjoy their work, continuing a career as an accountant is a sensible choice since the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects consistent growth in the field.

The book takes you on a fast-paced tour of all accountancy topics, from the fundamentals of debit and credit balances to more advanced topics such as depreciation and supervision. The content is written in simple terms, which makes it easier to understand for newbies.

The book also covers aspects like financial statement reporting, making smart business decisions, audits, and identifying financial fraud. Simple examples and tiny business settings simplify everything within the context of the book.

To buy Accounting All-in-One for Dummies, visit Amazon.

Accounting QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Financial & Managerial Accounting

accounting-quick-start-guide-the-simplified-beginner-s-guide-to-financial-managerial-accounting
Picture of the Accounting QuickStart Guide Book

This book is a popular bestseller for a reason: it's one of the few accounting books available that caters to both students and small company owners. Author Josh Bauerle, a CPA whose enthusiasm for the subject shines through in the chapters, believes that accounting knowledge can help business owners make smarter choices when it comes to analyzing loan conditions, tax planning, and resolving cash flow concerns.

In Accounting QuickStart Guide, Bauerle discusses both managerial and financial accountancy, and he does it with a lot of interesting examples that business owners will recognize right away. Bauerle gives a brief overview of each section at the start of the book to urge entrepreneurs to read the book in its entirety.

Accounting QuickStart Guide will help readers, particularly those in small businesses, if they read it from beginning to end. The sections build on each other, progressively equipping the reader with the knowledge and resources they'll need to make informed business decisions predicated by accounting best practices.

You can easily buy this accounting book on Amazon for $9.99 to $14.69. It's available for Kindle and Audible, and in paperback form.

Tax Savvy for Small Business: A Complete Tax Strategy Guide

tax-savvy-for-small-business-a-complete-tax-strategy-guide
Picture of the Tax Savvy for Small Business Book

Tax accounting is one of the most critical aspects of accounting that a company has to grasp. Frederick W. Daily, the writer of "Tax Savvy for Small Business," has decades of experience as a tax lawyer. He reveals that a well-thought-out tax strategy may help safeguard a company during its growth.

This book covers all you need to know about business tax accountancy, including how to determine if you qualify for tax breaks and how to maximize them, which expenditures and long-term investments you may deduct, and how to keep your accounting records in order.

This updated edition, available on Barnes & Noble, includes all the most recent tax rules, ensuring that you are always up to date with your accounting knowledge.

Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition: A Manager's Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean

financial-intelligence-revised-edition-a-manager-s-guide-to-knowing-what-the-numbers-really-mean
Picture of the Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition Book

The current revised version of Financial Intelligence, written by Joe Knight, Karen Berman, and John Case, is a must-read for employees who lack the abilities required to confidently evaluate financial figures.

Many managers and leaders who have fought their way up the corporate ladder and prospered because of their business knowledge and people management skills haven't taken a simple accounting or finance course. Instead, they have read books and articles to develop their financial knowledge.

Those who read Financial Intelligence will gain a working knowledge of business finance, as well as how to analyze numbers on annual disclosures, communicate with auditors and statisticians about finances, and make data-driven choices that reflect corporate goals.

Organizations of all sizes understand the value of data gathering and analysis nowadays, but data is useless without the capacity to comprehend it. Financial Intelligence does an outstanding job of grounding each course in a real-world issue that company managers and directors will recognize right away.

The writers make a point of including not only proper accounting terms in their discussions but also phrases that are more commonly used in real-world business situations.

Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition is available on Amazon for $16.65.

The Big Four: The Curious Past and Perilous Future of the Global Accounting Monopoly

the-big-four-the-curious-past-and-perilous-future-of-the-global-accounting-monopoly
Picture of the The Big Four Book

The Big Four: Global Accounting's Strange Past and Dangerous Future Monopoly is now on the book list of every practicing CPA worldwide, as well as writers and teachers who publish on accounting.

The Wall Street Journal commended The Big Four, which discusses the development of the world's largest four major accounting professionals: Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, EY, and KPMG. The Big The book talks about how these four companies, which have a collective revenue of more than $130 billion annually, have come under growing scrutiny.

Authors Ian D. Gow and Stuart Kells make an excellent collaboration because Gow has knowledge of the accounting sector, and Kells has literary experience. The Australian duo examines the history, present, and prospects of the Big four firms, as well as the accountancy profession. The journalists write about the destiny of openness and upheaval in the field with humor and prudence, making some broad statements that will undoubtedly be disputed by CPAs in the years ahead.

If you're interested in buying The Big Four, check it out on Amazon.

The Tax and Legal Playbook: Game-Changing Solutions to Your Small Business Questions

the-tax-and-legal-playbook-game-changing-solutions-to-your-small-business-questions
Picture of the The Tax and Legal Playbook Book

Accounting is difficult enough on its own, but when you add taxes into the mix, it gets more cumbersome. Kohler addresses both tax and accounting concerns in a lighthearted manner. Small business owners are frequently so engrossed in the intricacies of legal entities that they overlook their product, which spells trouble for them in the long term. Kohler provides excellent reading material that can help small business owners understand the basics of taxes and accounting.

The book addresses legal questions by exposing the facts, allowing you to make smarter judgments when it comes to loss prevention. Kohler does an excellent job of illustrating his points using real-life instances.

The Tax and Legal Playbook is currently available at Barnes & Noble for $19.99.

Having the correct accounting records will help ensure that your money is all on the books, whether you're a small business owner, a young bookkeeper, or an experienced CPA. If you want to thrive in the business world, you need to be financially literate and have strong accounting abilities.

Therefore, we've taken great care when compiling this list of the best accounting books. Authenticity, reviews, recurrence, entertainment value, literary quality, and topic all played a role in the selection process.