Skill Track
Accounting Fundamentals
Accounting is the language of business. Without the ability to read and understand financial statements, you are investing blind. These resources will help you develop fluency in financial reporting and analysis.
Beginner Books
Warren Buffett Accounting Book
Stig Brodersen & Preston Pysh
A practical introduction to reading financial statements through the lens of value investing. Written for beginners who want to understand accounting as a tool for evaluating businesses.
View on AmazonWarren Buffett and the Interpretation of Financial Statements
Mary Buffett & David Clark
Learn how Warren Buffett reads income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to identify companies with durable competitive advantages.
View on AmazonAccounting Made Simple
Mike Piper
A concise, no-nonsense introduction to accounting concepts. Perfect for those who want to quickly grasp the fundamentals without wading through a textbook.
View on AmazonFinancial Statements: A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding and Creating Financial Reports
Thomas Ittelson
Uses a progressive case study to build understanding of how the three main financial statements interconnect. Excellent for visual learners.
View on AmazonFree Online Resources
Investopedia Financial Statements Guide
Comprehensive free guides covering balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and financial ratio analysis. An excellent reference for looking up specific concepts.
Visit InvestopediaKhan Academy Accounting & Finance
Free video courses covering accounting fundamentals, from basic principles to financial statement analysis. Self-paced with practice exercises.
Visit Khan AcademyKey Concepts to Master
The Three Financial Statements
- Income Statement (P&L)
- Balance Sheet
- Cash Flow Statement
Essential Ratios
- Return on Equity (ROE)
- Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
- Debt/Equity Ratio
Revenue Recognition
- Accrual vs Cash Accounting
- Deferred Revenue
- Receivables Analysis
Working Capital
- Inventory Management
- Accounts Receivable/Payable
- Cash Conversion Cycle
Technology Integration
Programming for Financial Analysis
Python libraries like pandas and openpyxl enable you to automate financial statement analysis, calculate ratios across hundreds of companies, and build screening tools.
Automate the Boring Stuff (Free)AI in Accounting Analysis
AI tools can help summarize financial filings, identify unusual accounting treatments, and compare company disclosures across competitors. Use them to accelerate your analysis workflow.