CFA & CPA Study Books

Curated picks verified against expert recommendations from Investopedia, CFA Institute, and top CPA prep sites — the books worth buying and the ones to skip.

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CFACFA Study Books

2025 CFA Program Curriculum Level I Box Set
Official Curriculum

2025 CFA Program Curriculum Level I Box Set

by CFA Institute

Published by CFA Institute — the source of truth for all exam content

The definitive source — directly maps to every LOS tested
Trusted as the gold standard by all prep providers
Includes practice problems aligned to exam format
Dense and lengthy — best paired with a study guide
Not beginner-friendly as a standalone resource
4.3

117+ reviews

~$210

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CFA Level 1 Calculation Workbook: 300 Calculations (2026 Edition)
Best Calculation Practice

CFA Level 1 Calculation Workbook: 300 Calculations (2026 Edition)

by Coventry House Publishing

Updated annually since 2017 — the longest-running dedicated CFA calculation drillbook on Amazon

300 worked calculations covering every quantitative topic
Organized by exam section — easy to drill weak areas
Updated to 2026 curriculum — no outdated material
Calculations-only — no conceptual explanations
Best paired with a full study guide, not standalone
4.4

120+ reviews

~$30

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The Psychology of Money
Mindset Foundation

The Psychology of Money

by Morgan Housel

Reviewed by CFA Institute & CFA Society North Carolina

Builds the investor mindset CFA directly tests
Modern, highly readable — feels nothing like a textbook
Cheap — best ROI of any finance book on this list
Not exam-specific — no formulas or LOS coverage
Supplement to prep materials, not a replacement
4.7

344,000+ reviews

~$25

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CPACPA Study Books

Intermediate Accounting
FAR Foundation

Intermediate Accounting

by Kieso, Weygandt & Warfield

The gold-standard accounting textbook — Wiley, used in CPA-track programs globally

Covers the core of FAR: revenue, leases, pensions, consolidations
Trusted by accounting programs at 1,000+ universities
Rigorous explanations build deep understanding, not just test tricks
Textbook depth — not a quick-pass shortcut
Does not cover governmental/nonprofit accounting (pair with Copley)
4.5

101+ reviews

~$122

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CPA Exam For Dummies with Online Practice
Best for Beginners

CPA Exam For Dummies with Online Practice

by Kenneth Boyd

Author Kenneth Boyd: CPA, ex-KPMG, 30+ yrs accounting

Covers all 4 sections in one book
Highly accessible — great starting point
Includes online practice questions
Not deep enough to pass on its own
Better as an orientation guide than primary study material
4.4

44+ reviews

~$19

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Essentials of Accounting for Governmental and Not-for-Profit Organizations
FAR Score Booster

Essentials of Accounting for Governmental and Not-for-Profit Organizations

by Paul Copley

University-standard textbook — adopted in CPA-track programs

Covers governmental & nonprofit accounting — FAR's hardest topics
15th edition updated for current standards
Used in university courses — authoritative and thorough
Textbook style — denser than a prep guide
Covers FAR subsection only, not full exam
4.6

110+ reviews

~$54

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best CFA prep books?

The official CFA Institute curriculum is the source of truth, but most candidates pair it with a condensed study guide and a dedicated Q-bank book. Our curated list ranks the CFA books that expert reviewers consistently recommend, with pros, cons, and prices.

Are the official CFA curriculum books enough to pass?

They cover every learning outcome statement, but they are dense. Candidates who pass typically combine the curriculum with summary notes and thousands of practice questions, then confirm readiness with full timed mock exams.

Do I need separate books for each CPA section?

Yes — FAR, AUD, REG, and TCP are tested separately, and review books are written per section. Pick books for the section you are currently scheduled to sit rather than buying everything upfront.

Books build knowledge — mocks prove it. When you finish your reading plan, sit a full timed mock exam and check your target score against how the CFA exam is actually scored.