5 books every accountant should read in the summer of 2018

Don’t you love the summers? We are sure everyone does after a hectic tax season! What are you up to these days? Are you attending events? Are you focusing on essential but often neglected activities? Are you headed for a much-needed vacation?

Whatever you are doing, we hope you enjoy and rejuvenate yourself before the September and October tax season rush begins. One activity that relaxes us and takes us to an entirely different zone is reading. Are you also looking to get your hands on a popular book?

Your search is over. We have curated a list of notable books specifically for our CPAs and accountants – perfect for a summer read. Have a look:

1) Disrupt Yourself: Putting The Power Of Disruptive Innovation To Work by Whitney Johnson

Have you noticed how companies fulfill an unattended need and create something for which a market doesn’t exist? That’s disruption for you! The process of changing the traditional way in which the industry operates for the better is called disruption.

The book talks about how human beings can too innovate and do something astonishing. The fascinating summer read teaches the reader to apply specific frameworks for building a new business, for revamping a career and for initiating personal growth.

Do you want to disrupt and use that to your competitive advantage? It looks like the summer of 2018 is perfect for that!

Photo credit: Amazon.com

2) Originals by Adam Grant

CPAs can benefit from the regular practice of taking a step back from their own experience to look at things from a fresh perspective. And that’s the main teaching of Originals. Grant’s book will help you to identify good ideas, build a network (so important for CPAs!), be more vocal, and to be fearless.

The book also throws light on those innovators, who despite having magnificent successes, failed at later projects. Yes, there are quite a few and as a business owner, you will appreciate their grit and determination to dust themselves up and do something extraordinary.

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3) Zero To One by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters

92% of CPAs think the accounting profession is not future-ready. You will agree it is a bit difficult to envision the future when technology is continually evolving. The stellar book teaches how a business can achieve excellence and create lasting value despite operating in an era of technological stagnation.

Photo credit: Amazon.com

4) Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz

The book offers an alternative financial management process that may interest you if you are searching for a different approach to manage money. A traditional accounting formula is Sales – Expenses = Profit. But according to Michalowicz, it’s Sales – Profit = Expenses.

The bestselling book, written in layman’s terms, will give you practical tips to manage cash flow and to drive more profit for your practice. Are you up for it?

Photo credit: Amazon.com

5) True Professionalism: The Courage to Care about Your People, Your Clients, and Your Career by David H. Maister

The book is a boon for anyone who works closely with clients and especially with those who are new to the field. The core message of the book is to treat people right. It talks about how important it is to spend time meeting clients, understanding their goals and then applying your skills effectively to help them.

What’s the biggest takeaway from this book? Real professionals are always looking to improve; they don’t strive for perfection! Do you?

Photo credit: Amazon.com

Over to you

You are in one of the most dynamic professions in the world. So, get your engine revved up, brainstorm ideas and prepare to throw yourself in a world of innovation and disruption. This will make your practice more valuable to your clients.

P.S. we are running a no-obligation Free Trial offer on our bookkeeping outsourcing services. Are you seeking help to clean your books? Sign up for a Free Trial. Otherwise, check this out anyway.