Top 15 Must-Read Accounting Business Books for 2025

Why are Accounting Business Books Essential in 2025? 

In 2025, the accounting space continues to evolve rapidly - AI tools, tax code updates, outsourcing trends, and tighter margins all demand sharper decision-making. That’s why reading accounting business books is no longer optional for CPAs, firm owners, or financial leaders. 

At MYCPE ONE, we help accounting professionals thrive—not just through webinars and offshoring, but also through expert-curated resources like blogs on evaluating your current accountant, etc.  

This list of the top 15 must-read accounting books is your personal reading compass to financial clarity, client trust, and firm success. 

Whether you're launching a firm, scaling operations, or advising clients—these books can transform your financial literacy and strategic acumen. 

What are the Best Accounting Books for 2025? 

Below is a ranked list of 15 small business accounting books and titles for professionals, founders, and finance teams. 

1. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 

• About the Author: Mike Michalowicz is a serial entrepreneur and advocate for behavioral cash flow systems.  
• What It’s About: Profit First is something that flips the traditional accounting method. It suggests that business or firm owners make profit a priority from day one. Instead of "Sales - Expenses = Profit," you take profit first and manage expenses with what’s left. The book is written in simple language and step-by-step format that even a beginner can read and understand. 
• Why It Matters: It’s a game-changer for small business and firm owners stuck in the feast-or-famine cycle. By prioritizing profit, you can gain financial stability, reduce debt, and grow your business or firm sustainably.

2. Master Guide to Building a Global Team for Accounting Firms 

• About the Author: Shawn Parikh is the co-founder and CEO of MYCPE ONE, where he is reshaping how CPA and accounting firms grow in today’s world. A Chartered Accountant by profession and entrepreneur by choice, Shawn has spent nearly two decades building businesses that support accountants, from staffing and education to compliance and advisory. 
• What It's About: "Master Guide to Building a Global Team for Accounting Firms", provided by MYCPE ONE,  is the definitive resource for CPA and accounting firms considering or already engaged in offshoring. This comprehensive guide presents the process of building and managing offshoring teams by offering actionable insights into every step - from initial planning to onboarding, compliance, management, and more.
• Why It Matters: With a severe shortage of accountants in the US, many firms are opting for offshoring. It is becoming a vital strategy for firms to grow and scale in a competitive landscape. However, there are many factors they need to consider before offshoring. If not approached properly, these can be daunting and fraught with risks.  

The book equips firm leaders with the correct insights to make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and maximize the benefits of offshoring. 

To learn more about "Master Guide to Building a Global Team for Accounting Firms" or to get your copy, you can reach out directly to Chris at chris@my-cpe.com. 

3. Accounting for Non-Accountants by Wayne A. Label 

• About the Author: Wayne A. Label is a CPA and seasoned accounting professor who simplifies financial concepts for non-financial professionals. 
• What It’s About: Accounting for Non-Accountants breaks down the basics of accounting—including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flows—into accessible, everyday language. It avoids jargon and walks readers through concepts using relatable examples. 
• Why It Matters: Perfect for small business and firm owners, marketing heads, or administrative leaders who need to understand the numbers behind decisions but aren’t formally trained in accounting.

4. The E-Myth Accountant by Michael Gerber & Darren Root 

• About the Authors: Michael Gerber is a leading authority on small business systems. Darren Root is a CPA and tech-savvy firm leader who understands how to modernize accounting practices. 
• What It’s About: The E-Myth Accountant explains why most CPA firms struggle to scale—they operate as technician-driven practices, not businesses. It provides a roadmap for transforming your firm into a scalable, system-driven enterprise. 
• Why It Matters: Essential for CPAs who want to grow beyond compliance work. It aligns perfectly with the shift to automation and outsourcing and complements insights in this MYCPE ONE blog.

5. Financial Intelligence for Entrepreneurs by Karen Berman & Joe Knight 

• About the Authors: Karen Berman and Joe Knight are co-founders of the Business Literacy Institute. They specialize in teaching finance to non-financial executives. 
• What It’s About: Financial Intelligence teaches entrepreneurs how to understand what financial statements truly mean—and how to use them to run smarter businesses. It bridges the gap between financial data and decision-making. 
• Why It Matters: A go-to book for entrepreneurs and service providers who review reports but aren’t always sure what to look for. It builds financial confidence.

6. Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! by Greg Crabtree 

• About the Author: Greg Crabtree is a CPA and founder of a firm that helps growth-focused businesses make data-driven decisions. 
• What It’s About: Simple Numbers cuts through noise by showing how labor productivity, margin optimization, and pricing strategy directly affect your bottom line. The book includes specific benchmarks to guide decisions. 
• Why It Matters: Ideal for business owners or firm leaders scaling from 6 to 7 figures. It’s all about clarity and control over growth.

7. Accounting Made Simple by Mike Piper 

• About the Author: Mike Piper is a CPA, personal finance blogger, and author who’s known for turning complex financial topics into simple reads. 
• What It’s About: Accounting Made Simple offers a short and practical overview of essential accounting concepts. It covers accruals, GAAP, financial statements, and key terms without any fluff. 
• Why It Matters: Excellent entry point for entrepreneurs, freelancers, or new hires trying to grasp accounting without diving into a full textbook.

8. The Lean CFO by Nicholas Katko 

• About the Author: Nicholas Katko is a lean finance expert with over 20 years of experience helping companies align finance with lean principles. 
• What It’s About: The Lean CFO explores how lean accounting can improve financial clarity, reduce waste, and support continuous improvement in value-based organizations. 
• Why It Matters: Must-read for CFOs in dynamic firms or those leveraging offshoring. It teaches how to structure finance teams around lean, modern frameworks.

9. Bookkeeping and Accounting All-in-One for Dummies by Lita Epstein & John A. Tracy 

• About the Authors: Lita Epstein and John Tracy are experienced finance writers who specialize in beginner-friendly guides. 
• What It’s About: This all-in-one book, Bookkeeping and Accounting All-in-One, covers everything from setting up books to payroll, adjusting journal entries, and preparing financial statements. 
• Why It Matters: Ideal for small business owners doing their own books. A great reference for the "DIY" phase of business finance.

10. The Tax and Legal Playbook by Mark J. Kohler 

• About the Author: Kohler is a nationally recognized CPA, attorney, and expert in small business structuring and tax strategy. 
• What It’s About: The Tax and Legal Playbook simplifies entity selection, tax savings, and asset protection. It includes case studies and legal scenarios for real-world applications. 
• Why It Matters: Especially useful for solopreneurs and freelancers. Helps you structure your business wisely and avoid penalties.

11. Financial Statements by Thomas Ittelson 

• About the Author: Thomas Ittelson is a biochemist-turned-business author who explains financial data using visual models. 
• What It’s About: Financial Statements uses diagrams to break down the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. 
• Why It Matters: Perfect for visual learners or anyone who struggles with raw numbers and terminology.

12. The Accounting Game by Darrell Mullis & Judith Orloff 

• About the Authors: Mullis and Orloff specialize in creative training programs that teach financial literacy through story-based methods. 
• What It’s About: The Accounting Game teaches accounting basics by taking readers through the life of a lemonade stand business. 
• Why It Matters: Makes accounting fun and intuitive—great for onboarding new hires or young entrepreneurs.

13. The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman 

• About the Author: Josh Kaufman is a business thinker who advocates for self-education over expensive MBA programs. 
• What It’s About: The Personal MBA covers business fundamentals including finance, marketing, operations, and decision-making. 
• Why It Matters: Broader than just accounting, but includes key finance principles. Great for firm owners who want cross-functional fluency.

14. Management Accounting in Support of Strategy by Graham S. Pitcher 

• About the Author: Graham S. Pitcher is a respected researcher in performance measurement and strategic accounting. 
• What It’s About: Management Accounting in Support of Strategy focuses on using accounting data to support long-term planning and decision-making. 
• Why It Matters: For controllers and CFOs who want to use numbers as a strategic tool—not just for compliance.

15. The CFO Guidebook by Steven M. Bragg 

• About the Author: Bragg is a prolific finance writer with over 100 books covering various aspects of corporate finance. 
• What It’s About: The CFO Guidebook is a tactical reference that covers forecasting, budgeting, internal controls, and team leadership. 
• Why It Matters: An essential daily resource for CFOs and finance leaders.

Which Books Suit You?

Final Take: Grow Smarter with MYCPE ONE 

The most successful accounting professionals do more than crunch numbers - they are perpetual learners, strategic visionaries, and decisive leaders. To thrive in 2025, firms must embrace a mindset that is proactive, agile, and financially savvy. 

This carefully curated selection of accounting business books is designed to inspire and equip today’s professionals with the insights needed to drive growth and adapt to change. Each title is chosen to help you stay ahead of industry trends, sharpen your strategic edge, and make informed decisions that propel your firm forward. 

At MYCPE ONE, we’re committed to empowering your journey from knowledge to action. With industry-relevant content, expert-led webinars, innovative offshoring solutions, and growth-focused tools, we help you translate insights into real results - faster and smarter. 

Because when you have better insights, you build a better firm. And it all begins with what you choose to learn next. 

About MYCPE ONE

MYCPE ONE is the trusted partner for over 3,000 CPA and accounting firms worldwide, empowering them to scale, innovate, and achieve operational excellence. With a decade of experience, a unified platform, and 3000+ team members across 40+ offices, MYCPE ONE delivers comprehensive offshore accounting service, CPE and L&D, websites & digital marketing, M&A advisory, and daily news insights - all designed to help firms attract top talent, maintain compliance, and drive sustainable growth. 

Backed by SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR certifications, MYCPE ONE ensures the highest standards of data security and client support for every firm. 

FAQs

About the Author

CA Nemin Vora

Nemin Vora is a Chartered Accountant (equivalent to US CPA) and Tax Attorney, serving as the Director of Client Relations at MYCPE ONE. With over 7 years of experience working with Big 4s and public accounting firms across North America, he's the person you want to talk to when you're thinking about taking your accounting firm global. Nemin is a seasoned leader and a dynamic content creator, weaving stories and insights on tax, leadership, and life that resonate with a wide audience. This creative outlet showcases not only his depth of knowledge but also his ability to connect and inspire. He consults and speaks on various topics, including Building Remote Teams, Remote Working, Offshore Staffing, Strategic Planning, Scalability of Accounting Practice, Cloud Accounting, Practice Management, and AI in Accounting. Outside of work, Nemin is a learner at heart, an actor on the stage, and a tech enthusiast.