Best Books for CPA Exam Preparations

By IIC Lakshya

11 Oct 2025

It is the ambition of all aspiring accountants across the globe to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). But the expedition is not easy, and the only way to be successful is to put effort into it regularly and to possess the relevant study materials. The most important of these is the right books, which are very instrumental in directing your preparation and your mastery of the more complicated accounting principles, the principles of auditing, and the rules of taxation. This blog will discuss what are the best books to use in preparation for the CPA course, tips on how to choose the best books, and how to make the best out of them.

Understanding the CPA Exam Structure

It is important to have the structure of the CPA exams before plunging into the book recommendations. The CPA exam has been subdivided into four parts:

Auditing and Attestation (AUD): Examines the understanding of auditing practices, the generally accepted auditing standards (GAOB), and professional ethics.
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC): Covers Areas of corporate governance, financial management, economics, and business law.
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR): Covers accounting standards, financial reporting, and statements of various kinds of entities.
Regulation (REG): Examination of U.S. federal taxation, business law, and professional ethics.

In every section, there is a mixture of some conceptual knowledge and practical problem-solving skills. It is possible to choose the most comprehensive, updated, and exam-oriented books, which can make your preparation much easier.

Top Books for CPA Exam Preparation

The correct selection of the books to prepare for the CPA is no less important than your commitment and practice. Although the foundation of this knowledge is the textbooks, the practice questions, simulations, and additional materials are also guaranteed to get you prepared for the day of the exam. With a strategic combination of suggested books, you will have an advantage in passing the CPA exam on your first attempt.

Wiley CPA Excel Exam Review

Wiley CPAexcel is deemed to be one of the most popular among the CPA aspirants. It provides:

Guides to all four sections in detail.
Task-based simulation and multiple-choice questions.
Online practice tests and study plans.

The reason why it is a good recommendation is that the books of Wiley simplify the more complicated aspects of accounting into less complicated language so that the students can be able to understand the complicated concepts. The Wiley series is touted by many aspirants as covering all aspects and being exam-focused.

Example: The Wiley FAR book contains simplified descriptions of the ASC 606 requirements on the recognition of revenue that is frequently reported as a difficult subject.

Becker CPA Review

Becker is a reputable CPA preparation name that has been around for decades. Their books and study materials are such that they simulate exams. Key features include:

Elaborated descriptions and practical examples.
Adaptive learning technology online practice questions.
Last-minute revision flashcards and worksheets.

Interesting Fact: More than 80% of CPAs in the United States who successfully pass the exam annually had studied the materials of Becker.

Gleim CPA Review

Gleim CPA Review has a reputation for comprehensive materials and a practice bank. Highlights include:

Complete textbooks on every part of the examination.
Multiple choice questions and simulations consisting of thousands.
Elaborated descriptions of correct and incorrect responses.

Examples: The Gleim AUD book provides elaborate case studies of audit reports, which assist students in using theoretical learning in real-life situations.

Roger CPA Review

Roger CPA Review is also quite handy in retarding the information among aspiring candidates with weak memory. Its books and web materials are written in the form of storytelling:

Theories are made in an easy and simple way that people can remember.
There is a focus on learning instead of memorization.
The textbooks are supplemented with video lectures and mnemonics.

Why it is useful: Roger CPA books are regarded by many students as helpful in such areas as BEC, which presupposes studying such notions as corporate governance, economic principles, and IT systems.

Surgent CPA Review

Surgent provides an organic way of learning that concentrates on your weak points. The book series offered by it is rather succinct but rich in exam-related information:

The chapters are brief and concentrated, making them easy to study.
Assessment questions with immediate feedback.
Individual study program according to performance.

Sample: The Surgent REG book assists you in studying and mastering U.S. federal taxation by organizing complex regulations into manageable units of study that best fit the busy professionals.

Guidelines for the appropriate CPA Prep Books.

Exam Alignment: The book should be made current with the new CPA exam syllabus.
Practice Questions: Multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations are necessary in books to prepare for the exam.
Clarity of Explanation: Select books that do not oversimplify complex ideas, but at the same time, omit nothing.
Supporting Materials: Take into consideration reading books that are available online, video lessons, or flashcards to remember better.
Your Learning Style: In case you are a visual learner, books that contain diagrams, charts, and examples are useful. In case you like to read, use detailed textbooks.

FAQs on Best Books for CPA Preparations

Will a single book series be enough to make me pass the CPA exam?

It can, and pooling of resources frequently assists in filling gaps and offers mixed practice queries towards improved exam preparation.

Do digital versions of CPA books work?

Yes, no more so when they are accompanied by practice questions and interactive items. Most of the online services also monitor your progress and give you questions according to your performance.

What is the frequency of CPA books?

A3. Top CPA prep publishers such as Wiley, Becker, and Gleim issue new books every year to capture the changes observed in accounting standards, tax regulations, and exam trends.