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Ok, well a lot of Introductory Accounting books are really more about bookkeeping than anything else. I'd avoid those. If you want to get a head start, the Phillips and Libby one is good. I teach it in my Intro Accounting class. This is an older edition, but you can get a used version for $3.00 on Amazon so that's a plus. Everything builds on the concepts in this book. To succeed in Accounting, you have to master debits/credits and journal entries. There are lots of great YouTube videos on Accounting concepts too so if there's something in the book that's not making sense, see if you can find a good video on the topic.

Here's a link to purchase the Phillips and Libby book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0078025370/ref=sr_1_1_twi_har_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1465504702&sr=8-1&keywords=fundamentals+of+financial+accounting+book+libby

Also, I haven't read this book, but it sounds like it covers all the basics well.

https://www.amazon.com/Accounting-Made-Simple-Explained-Pages/dp/0981454224/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465504552&sr=8-1&keywords=intro+accounting+book

Best of luck!

Sup Stab-Stabby,

Before you read what I have to say, I highly suggest checking out this sub: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bookkeeping/ . I asked a question there about bookkeeping and got some pretty honest and straight forward advice.

Anyways - from what I understand (and I could be wrong, anyone feel free to correct me), it's essentially making journal entries and making the ledger, writing up invoices and income statements.

You absolutely for sure need to have some basic concept regarding what to debit and credit when there is a transaction, and other basic accounting rules.

If you are not well versed at all in accounting (like I was and still am, however I've been studying in my spare time), I highly suggest you read this book: https://www.amazon.com/Accounting-Made-Simple-Explained-Pages/dp/0981454224

The author explains the accounting concept and doing things like a book keeper would do very simply, and straight to the point.

You do not need to be a math wizard to be a bookkeeper, but you need to do things like Add, subtract, multiply, or divide in accounting terms.

For example: Return on Assets = Net Income/Average Total Assets.

But I'm not sure if you'd use something like that in bookkeeping, it's more of keeping records I'm assuming .

I do want to point out that you're not insane considering a career like this. I'm in the exact same position - decided I needed a career change and started looking into different careers out of desperation. Found accounting to be doable / interesting, financially stable, seems to be a decent job market and it's something that doesn't take long schooling wise compared to... let's say law school or becoming a doctor.

Hope this helped you out in some way or another

I'm not aware of a whole lot of books specifically about accounting, but here are a few recommendations of books about finance, economics, business or that I just think might appeal to /r/accounting.

Anything by Michael Lewis. Liar's Poker has been mentioned elsewhere, but The Big Short is excellent as well.

Ben Mezrich has written some good books about business, but not really accounting specifically. He's most famous for The Accidental Billionaires which is about Facebook (I believe it, along with The Facebook Effect were the main sources for the movie The Social Network) and Bringing Down the House which was about the MIT card counting team and inspiration for the movie 21. You might be interested in Ugly Americans or Rigged though.

Here's a few more that are a little less fiction-y:

Too Big to Fail by Andrew Ross Sorkin

Traders, Guns and Money by Satyajit Das

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay

Priceless: The Myth of Fair Value (and How to Take Advantage of It) by William Poundstone

EDIT: Now with links!

You've probably seen the movie, but The Smartest Guys in the Room book is a cracking read. I was engrossed the entire time by how fucked up Enron was and what the wall street mania was like in the late 90's. Superbly written, richly detailed look into how corporations go off the rails and how accounting practices and corporate culture and ethics (or lack thereof) intersect. It's a total page turner - even though I knew Enron collapsed and Skilling and others went to jail.

In a similar vein, The Big Short is a great movie and an even better book. Probably less accounting stuff than The Smartest Guys in the Room, but an engaging, informative and personal look at the sub-prime housing clusterfuck of 2008. Anything by Michael Lewis is a good read generally.

Other random books I've enjoyed recently:

• East of Eden by John Stienbeck
  
• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
  
• The Upside of Irrationality by Dan Airley
  
  

I'm not a shill, but I'm going to plug a book recommendation here.

I'm reading a book called Double Entry - How the Merchants of Venice Created Modern Finance and I highly recommend it. Accounting systems developed around Renaissance Italy, with the help of Muslim scholars, who brought to the west Hindu numbers. It's like the entire world came together all at once perfectly at exactly the right time to develop modern accounting as we know it. Luca Pacioli is heavily featured in the book, and it surveys all of number theory, logical philosophy, math, history, banking, finance, and accounting through the ages.

I highly recommend this read, A+

I understand what you're going through. In Intermediate 1, there will be topics that you've learned in Intro to Financial Accounting, but they will be more in-depth of it.

All I can say is, read the textbook, write notes from what you've learned in the textbook, come to class every day to take lecture notes that your professor will cover (depending how good your professor is), and watch videos on YouTube that cover topics in Intermediate 1. Depending on the professor, you can also ask him for help on a problem or a confusing topic of the class.

I recommend Edspira on YouTube, because if you have any confusion on a topic in Intermediate 1 (like revenue recognition), chances are, Edspira has a video on it. Here's his channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/EducationUnlocked

You can also look up other videos that will help you understand confusing topics, too.

All of this will help you pass the class. Also take mental breaks; take naps, do a quick 5-min break while you're studying, and/or do other hobbies. Don't feel overwhelmed.

I once heard my adviser explain that Intermediate 1 is a make-it-or-break-it class for accounting majors--she wasn't kidding around. I barely passed that class with a C if it wasn't for the textbook and videos on YouTube, as well as taking mental breaks.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: If you need to refresh your memory on the foundations of accounting (such as your Intro to Financial Accounting class), I recommend getting this book. This book simplifies the principles of accounting with an example of a lemonade stand: https://www.amazon.com/Accounting-Game-Basic-Fresh-Lemonade-ebook/dp/B001U29UIU

Do all accountants have as great a personality as yourself?

I'm asking for like 3 mini paragraphs that explains what forms of accounting are used for those career paths. Not a lecture on how I have to "work harder". What's the point of having r/accounting if people from other fields can't ask simple questions?

These are the list of books that just arrived from amazon.com. I should have them read in 2-3 weeks:

http://www.amazon.com/Accounting-Dummies-John-Tracy-CPA/dp/1118482220/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369466046&sr=1-1&keywords=Accounting+for+dummies

http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Financial-Reports-For-Dummies/dp/0470376287/ref=pd_sim_b_10

http://www.amazon.com/Accounting-Equity-Credit-Analysts-Morris/dp/0071429697/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369465988&sr=8-1&keywords=Accounting+for+m%26a

http://www.amazon.com/Financial-Statements-Step---Step-Understanding/dp/1601630239/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369466133&sr=1-2&keywords=reading+financial+statements

Are there any canonical texts that I'm missing? Mind you, I have a scarce amount of free time due to upcoming internship and my reading list for corporate finance/valuation. So like don't be a dick and tell me I have to read a 1500 pg encyclopedia.

The Accounting Game: Basic Accounting Fresh from the Lemonade Stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001U29UIU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1ZlZCbSANXB90

I always recommend this to people who have 0 experience in accounting. My girlfriend wanted to understand what I did on a fundamental level so I gave her this and she enjoyed it. Don't be fooled by the childlike aesthetics, this book actually gave a good clear understanding of the basic concepts. Let me know what you think

These are the best books that I've used: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Learn-Excel-Essential-Skills-Method/dp/1909253065 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Learn-Excel-Expert-Skills-Method/dp/1909253073

Completing both will take you from zero to 99th percentile of Excel users in terms of skill.

Excel Bible is worthless for learning - it's basically an Excel bult-in help (which is excellent) turned into an overpriced and cumbersome book.

There's actually a pretty good history book that basically details the role that accounting played throughout history in the economy, politics, and society. It sounds like you would be interested in it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0465031528/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482958956&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=the+reckoning+financial+accountability+and+rise+and+fall+of+nations&dpPl=1&dpID=41-Me49saYL&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Excel-Expert-Skills-Method/dp/1909253073

During my undergrad I had an entire class dedicated to Excel and intro to SAP. We used the textbook cover to cover. It teaches you everything and each lesson covers only 2 pages making it very easy to work through. All the files can be downloaded online for free. Couldn't recommend any higher.

From your comments, the book More Than a Numbers Game: A Brief History of Accounting may offer some of what you are looking for. It offers a brief and succinct historical perspective of many of the bigger issues in modern accounting (last 150 years). Amazon has a pretty good Book Description. It was a relatively quick read, and answered a lot of questions I had about accounting practices. Totally worth $20 imho.

Double Entry

Great read about how accounting came to be and the important people behind it. Including Luca Pacioli (who tutored Leonardo Da Vinci) and his enormous contributions and developments. It's a nice history lesson which helped me connect more dots about accounting.

This is pretty good: Double Entry: How the Merchants of Venice Created Modern Finance
https://www.amazon.com/Double-Entry-Merchants-Created-Finance/dp/0393346595

I've only skimmed through couple videos but it looks decent at explaining the concept.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu6bUFWaNZo

I've personally started with this book and I think it's a great resource to start out.

http://www.amazon.com/Financial-Statements-Step---Step-Understanding/dp/1601630239/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332430775&sr=8-1

I seriously recommend you buy the accounting game. It really helps people who are new to accounting understand what’s really happening. I would recommend getting in a
Paper so you can actually fill it out.

https://www.amazon.com/Accounting-Game-Basic-Fresh-Lemonade-ebook/dp/B001U29UIU

Silly phone posted the link with no text. The book is titled "more than a numbers game". This is a very pleasant, easy to read, history that has some of the 'why' in it. You'll get enough into to how accounting works in your first couple of classes.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0470008733?pc_redir=1411903305&robot_redir=1

This is a repost from Hacker News. There are some good comments there and a mention of the interesting sounding book Algebraic Models For Accounting Systems.

Visit your local library and look for bookkeeping/accounting books not prescribed for college. They tend to be more concise and easier to understand if you're new to accounting. Something like this.

Accounting demystified by Jeffery Haber.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0814407900/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_86yrybC5ZAZB5

It's a super quick read, and he teaches so well. Covers basic financial accounting.

Honestly, the book I most often introduce would be this: Financial Shenanigans: How to Detect Accounting Gimmicks & Fraud in Financial Reports, Third Edition

Great introduction into the workings of earnings management in its various forms, with real world case studies to show how it was performed.

I really liked this book on double entry bookkeeping. I found it suggested on this sub

If you're not looking specifically for an academic book (e.g. Wiley Intro to Financial, etc.), this one should give you a good understand of the principles and basis for the field:

http://www.amazon.com/Accounting-Demystified-Jeffry-R-Haber/dp/0814407900/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1331929510&sr=8-11

I think you mean Kieso, Weygandt and Warfield 15th edition intermediate accounting. But yes here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Problem-Survival-accompany-Intermediate-Accounting/dp/1118344146/ref=pd_sim_b_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0QDNVTPEF95EWTZ82X64

Thank you. Do you think that working from the Schaum's book will be sufficient? It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/Schaums-Outline-Principles-Accounting-Fifth/dp/0071635386

Yeah, I've got an Intermediate III exam online this weekend. I am really stoked to finally have finished off the 1,440 pages of this Kieso book, though! http://www.amazon.com/Intermediate-Accounting-Donald-Kieso/dp/0470374942/

More Than a Number Game: A Brief History of Accounting - I know it sounds boring, but the writing style makes it actually quite interesting. And it's all about accounting.

All the Devils Are Here: The Hidden History of the Financial Crisis - Not technically accounting related, more of a finance book--but absolutely the best business book I've ever read. A history of what lead up to the financial crisis, going into detail about the types of financial instruments at play, and the major players that influenced the course of their development.

The Reckoning: Financial Accountability and the Rise and Fall of Nations

Double Entry: How the Merchants of Venice Created Modern Finance

Not exactly technical stuff but they defnitely give more color and depth to this thing of ours (accounting)

We used Kieso and Weygandt. The syllabus of one of the sections at my school using this text covers the following in Intermediate 1: accounting information system (basic), conceptual framework, income statement, balance sheet and cash flow, time value of money, cash and receivables, inventory valuation, property plant and equipment, depreciation and impairments, intangibles, current liabilities. You can probably google or wiki these topics individually to make yourself crib sheets focusing on conceptual understanding.

If you're looking for a cheap source of accounting problems, Gleim is a good one to use. Amazon Link.

https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Shenanigans-Accounting-Gimmicks-Reports/dp/0071703071

https://www.amazon.com/Accounting-Game-Basic-Fresh-Lemonade/dp/1402211864

In the same boat as you. Ended up with a Maths minor and rarely get to use any of it. However, there is this book, which examines accounting from a purely abstract algebra/group theory point of view. So higher maths can be used, but mostly in a pure maths sense, and not so much applied.

I used a TI BA 2 Plus Professional, and it has incredibly clicky keys, especially compared to the regular TI BA 2 Plus. Same functions, completely different build. Link

Link

The cover reminds me of Jane Gleeson White's Double Entry

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118344146/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this for mine

You need more staff. In the meantime, this...

http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280

Be organized, and ask a ton of questions cause if it's anything like my experience, no one is going to go out of their way to show you how to do anything unless you bug them about it.

I recommend this book for getting organized if you are naturally disorganized person like myself http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280.

My old accounting professor had a saying, "When you first start in public accounting, you're literally worth less than nothing. Because if you were just worth nothing, then other productive people would not have to take the time to teach you anything." Don't take that too literally, but just know that even if you've passed the CPA exams, you'll only know about 10% of what you're doing as baengelbert says.

Be enthusiastic, be humble, and ask a crap ton of questions and remember that the learning system is a "pull system." They will not push learning onto you, they force you to pull it out of them. A dumb system in my opinion, but that's the way it is.

https://www.amazon.com/Python-Cookbook-Third-David-Beazley/dp/1449340377

Also start watching every video David Beazley has on YouTube. You won’t regret it.

> https://www.amazon.com/Python-Cookbook-Third-David-Beazley/dp/1449340377
> Also start watching every video David Beazley has on YouTube. You won’t regret it.

Got it!

Trial and error, baby!

http://www.amazon.com/Accounting-Dummies-John-Tracy/dp/1118482220/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415466105&sr=8-1&keywords=accounting+for+dummies

http://www.amazon.com/Internal-Controls-Policies-Procedures-Hightower/dp/0470287179/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415466141&sr=8-1&keywords=internal+controls

You'll definitely want to learn some basis in accounting theory. If you have a working knowledge of the framework, you will be able to apply those basics to somewhat more complex situations with guidance from the codification.

Also, get learned on internal controls. As the controller you're going to be more-or-less responsible for ensuring that there are policies and procedures in place to mitigate the risk of fraud. If it happens, it will be your head. Don't let that shit happen!

Other than that, my only worry would be if you have to report to any creditors, etc. They may be weary of you having little accounting knowledge outside of quickbooks on-the-job training. Have a good CPA in your back pocket.