7 Accounting and Finance Books You Should Read in 2026

2026 has the potential to be the year to take your finance career to the next level.

While there’s no shortage of networking events and professional qualifications to embark on, there are simpler ways to boost your progress.

Inspired by AAT’s list of must-read accountancy books we’ve put together a list of incredible finance reads to complement your formal training and help you become a more strategic accounting professional. 

Here are the top 7 accounting and finance books that you should be reading this year.

1) How to Build a Better Business Plan: A Hands-on Action Guide for Business Owners

By: Alastair Thomson

Starting a business can feel overwhelming – especially when you’re unsure how to turn an idea into an organised, compelling plan. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as a CFO, Alastair Thomson offers a practical and realistic guide to building a business plan that stands up to scrutiny.

This book walks readers through creating an evidence-based business plan designed to inspire confidence in investors and lenders. Rather than focusing on theory alone, Thomson provides actionable guidance on how to structure, justify and present your business strategy effectively. You’ll learn how to:

• Identify and analyse your key competitors
• Understand the true purpose of a business plan
• Navigate each section with clarity and confidence
• See your proposal from an investor’s perspective

Ideal for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring founders, this hands-on guide arms you with the tools you need to build a credible and compelling business plan.

2) Accounts Demystified: The Astonishingly Simple Guide To Accounting 

By: Anthony Rice 

Written for finance professionals and business owners alike, this accessible guide breaks down the fundamental principles of accounting in a clear and practical way.

Anthony Rice focuses on the core concepts every accounting professional should understand, including how to interpret balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow reports. The book aims to simplify company accounts and help readers gain confidence in managing financial information effectively.

Whether you’re running a small business, starting out as an entrepreneur, or working towards becoming an accountant, this reader-friendly guide provides a solid foundation in essential accounting principles. It also offers insight into modern accounting regulations and practical advice for managing both business and personal finances.

3) The Finance Book: Understand the Numbers Even if You’re Not a Finance Professional

By: Stuart Warner and Si Hussain

Many finance books can feel overwhelming, packed with technical terminology that assumes prior knowledge. The Finance Book takes a different approach.

Designed to make business finance accessible, this book breaks down key financial concepts and terminology into clear, concise explanations. It enables readers to understand essential financial principles – even without a background in finance.

Shortlisted in the ‘Practical Manager’ category for the 2018 Management Book of the Year award by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the British Library, the book has been recognised for its practical value and readability.

One of its key strengths is its structure: each chapter functions as a standalone topic. This means you can dip in and out as needed, focusing on the areas most relevant to you without reading the book cover to cover.

Ideal for managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals outside the finance function, this guide makes understanding the numbers far less intimidating.

4) The Weird and Wonderful World of Accountancy

By: Holly Close and Marvin Close

This is not your typical accounting book.

Blending history, humour, and finance, The Weird and Wonderful World of Accountancy explores everything from Ancient Rome and the French Revolution to Al Capone and financial bubbles – proving that accounting has shaped far more of history than you might expect.

Discover the origins of the Great Stork Derby, learn why the IRS has turned up at rock gigs, and uncover which celebrities have mastered double-entry bookkeeping – all delivered with wit, quirky anecdotes, and memorable quotes.

By challenging the idea that accounting is dull, this book reveals the fascinating stories behind the numbers. Whether you’re an accountant or simply curious about the hidden influence of finance, it offers an entertaining new perspective.

One thing’s for sure: after reading this, you'll never look at a balance sheet or an audit in quite the same way again.

5) Financial Intelligence: A Manager’s Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean (Revised Edition)

By: Karen Berman and Joe Knight, with John Case

Described by Inc. magazine as “the best, clearest guides to the numbers,” this must-read is written specifically for decision-makers without a formal background in finance.

A firm favourite among professional managers, the book breaks down financial fundamentals in clear, jargon-free language. It not only explains what the numbers mean, but why they matter — empowering leaders to make more informed, commercially sound decisions.

Featuring engaging real-world case studies, it also addresses key questions surrounding financial crises and business performance. The result is a practical, accessible guide that builds the confidence needed to navigate financial data and use it strategically.

6) The Psychology of Money

By: Morgan Housel

With over 30,000 reviews on Amazon – the vast majority rated four or five stars – The Psychology of Money has earned its place as a modern classic.

Rather than focusing purely on formulas and financial theory, Morgan Housel explores money through the lens of human behaviour. He argues that financial success is less about intelligence and more about how people think, feel and make decisions.

While investing and personal finance are often taught as mathematical disciplines, real-world financial choices are rarely made on spreadsheets alone. Through compelling stories and practical insights, Housel explains the psychological patterns that shape our relationship with money, and how understanding them can lead to better financial decisions.

Accessible and thought-provoking, this book offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to improve their financial mindset.

7) How Finance Works: The HBR Guide to Thinking Smart About the Numbers

By: Mihir Desai 

If you’re new to finance, this book is an ideal starting point! 

Written by Mihir Desai, a professor at Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School, How Finance Works draws on his years of experience teaching leaders and executives how to interpret financial information with confidence. Desai’s approach is rooted in the idea that finance is not just about calculations, but about understanding the story behind the numbers.

Rather than overwhelming readers with technical jargon (no thanks!), the book breaks down core concepts like financial analysis, valuation and market dynamics in a clear and accessible way. Through engaging case studies, interactive exercises and practical examples, Desai demonstrates how financial decisions shape business strategy and performance.

What sets this guide apart is its focus on thinking rather than just formulas. It helps readers understand how financial systems operate, why businesses are valued the way they are, and how to use financial insight to make smarter, more informed decisions.

With its conversational tone and structured framework, How Finance Works supports managers, entrepreneurs and aspiring finance professionals in gaining the confidence to not only interpret numbers but apply them in real-world contexts.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Reading about accounting and finance doesn’t have to be dry or intimidating. With the right resources, you can expand your knowledge and develop skills that support long-term career growth.

If you’re ready to go beyond reading and gain the credibility you need to succeed in finance, consider advancing your accounting and finance career with a 100% online and globally recognised AAT qualification.