In an ever-evolving financial landscape, staying updated with the latest trends is essential for finance professionals. Reading is a great way to do this, as the ideas in many of today’s leading finance and business books can help you refine your approaches, adapt to market trends and navigate emerging tools and technologies.
Below, 18 Forbes Finance Council members share their top book recommendations for finance professionals in 2025. From insights into the AI revolution to broader business strategy, these reads can help inform your practice and keep you ahead of the curve this year.
1. ‘Traction’
I recommend “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business” by Gino Wickman. We have implemented the Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS) in our bank. The book provides a format for operating and running a small to medium-sized business. The impact on our ability to identify issues, solve them and create accountability has helped to improve our operations and growth. – Keith Costello, Locality Bank
2. ‘The Fourth Turning’
“The Fourth Turning: What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America’s Next Rendezvous with Destiny” by William Strauss and Neil Howe has been a vital part of my strategy. This book explains history in cycles. After recognizing the patterns, I shifted to a more cyclical approach to asset allocation. During this crisis, I’ve increased my allocation to safer assets like bonds and invested in disruptive technologies that usually emerge during such periods. – Jake Claver, Digital Ascension Group
3. ‘In This Economy?’
“In This Economy? How Money and Markets Really Work” by Kyla Scanlon does a phenomenal job of breaking down complex market dynamics into easy-to-understand and relatable anecdotes. Further, she offers a unique lens for explaining the “narrative culture” we often find ourselves in, how social media creates influence and the pros and cons of how perception can create reality. – Gregory Ostrowski, Scarborough Capital Management
4. ‘Die With Zero’
“Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life” by Bill Perkins is a great read and will change how successful entrepreneurs view their journey. It is a must-read for anyone who plans for the future. – Bradley W Smith, Rescue One Financial
5. ‘Co-Opetition’
“Co-Opetition” by Adam M Brandenburger and Barry. J Nalebuff discusses the importance of working with your competition. Co-opetition is a business strategy that goes beyond the old-school rules of competition and cooperation to combine the advantages of both. Co-opetition is a high-profit strategy of leveraging business relationships to change the way the game of business is played. – Joseph Lustberg, Upwise Capital
Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms. Do I qualify?
6. ‘Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race That Will Change the World’
I recommend “Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race That Will Change the World” by Parmy Olson. This book delves into the transformative impact of AI on the financial sector, offering insights into how AI technologies are reshaping market dynamics and competitive strategies. Implementing its insights can lead to more mindful investment strategies and a deeper understanding of client behaviors. – Sumeet Grover, Alliant
7. ‘The E-Myth Revisited’
“The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It” by Michael Gerber is the best book for someone who has just started a company or has been in business and is still doing everything in the business. This book helps you move from owning a job to owning a business and working on the business, not in it. It is a game changer for any new entrepreneurs and a must-read. – Joe Camberato, National Business Capital
8. ‘Principles’
One of the top books for finance professionals in 2025 is “Principles: Life and Work” by Ray Dalio, a timeless classic in decision-making. I’ve embraced radical transparency when structuring AI-driven business models, fostering clear financial planning and alignment across teams to navigate the complexities of fast-paced tech environments. – Zehra Soysal, Metaphysic.ai
9. ‘The Coming Wave’
“The Coming Wave: Technology, Power and the Twenty-first Century’s Greatest Dilemma” by Mustafa Suleyman is a must-read. I believe finance professionals need to be thinking about how AI will transform their roles and the companies they work for. This book is a great place to start to see into the future of AI and think about how we harness the new technologies for the good of mankind. – Alan Chaffee, Turning Point Strategic Advisors
10. ‘The Psychology of Money’
One of the best books for finance professionals in 2025 is “The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed and happiness” by Morgan Housel. It really changed how I think about financial decisions—not just for myself but for clients, too. It’s a great reminder that money isn’t just numbers; it’s emotions, habits and patience. Focusing on long-term strategies instead of chasing quick wins has helped build stronger client relationships. – Michael Foguth, Foguth Financial Group
11. ‘Money. Wealth. Life Insurance.’
“Money. Wealth. Life Insurance.: How the Wealthy Use Life Insurance as a Tax-Free Personal Bank to Supercharge Their Savings” by Jake Thompson is a must-read for finance pros. It reveals how properly structured life insurance creates tax-free businesses, optimizes estate planning and protects wealth. I’ve used these strategies to help clients shift from volatile retirement plans to tax-free income streams, leveraging asset protection and tax law for long-term financial security. – Andre Pennington, Pennington Law
12. ‘The Advantage’
“The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business” by Patrick Lencioni is an immensely insightful read about how to measure and improve organizational health. Finance leaders should use these lessons to drive operational discipline and superior financial results. – Abhishek Nanda, Revalize
13. ‘The Bible’
“The Bible” remains an incredible resource for finance professionals. Its focus on stewardship, integrity and generosity has shaped my approach to business. The teachings can be countercultural when we see the focus on money in our society. Implementing these principles has fostered trust, enhanced transparency and built lasting client relationships, improving our operational excellence. – Patrick Lonergan, Vital Wealth
14. ‘In Search of Excellence’
Many years ago, when I first read “In Search of Excellence: Lessons from America’s Best-Run Companies” by Tom Peters and Robert H. Waterman Jr., it kept me up most of the night as I simply could not put it down. Yes, it is an older book, but the writings, anecdotes and corporate tenets transcend modern technology and dig into the core of successful management. As the authors say, “Excellence is not an act, but a habit.” – David T. Nudelman, Scandinavian Capital Markets
15. ‘Every Family’s Business’
“Every Family’s Business: 12 Common Sense Questions To Protect Your Wealth” by Thomas Deans has been an invaluable resource in my practice. If you work with affluent families anywhere in the world, this book offers essential insights. I’ve found it so impactful that I’ve gifted copies to several clients who could benefit from its thoughtful approach to transitioning generational family businesses. – Steven Furtado, Savoir Wealth
16. ‘Profit First’
One game-changer for me was “Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine” by Mike Michalowicz. It flipped my mindset on cash management, helping me prioritize profit and control expenses better. After implementing the “pay yourself first” approach, I saw immediate improvements in financial stability and stress levels. It’s a must-read for any finance professional or business owner seeking smarter money strategies. – Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.
17. ‘The Millionaire Next Door’
“The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy” by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko is a game-changer for understanding wealth-building habits. The book debunks the myth that millionaires live flashy, extravagant lifestyles and instead highlights that many wealthy individuals accumulate their riches by living below their means, prioritizing savings and making smart, long-term investments. – Greg Welborn, First Financial Consulting
18. ‘Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know’
In “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know,” noted Wharton professor Adam Grant emphasizes adopting a scientist’s mindset: “Doubt what you know, be curious about what you don’t and update your views based on new data.” This principle impacted my team post-Trump’s inauguration as we reassessed our long-held positive views on international investing due to potential tariffs. – Brian Lasher, Euclid Harding LLC
The information provided here is not investment, tax, or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.
