The best reads for CFOs and finance pros in 2025

Staying ahead in finance and FP&A requires continuous learning and the right resources. From books that simplify financial frameworks to blogs with practical SaaS finance strategies and newsletters with timely updates, our curated reading list will help finance pros, CFOs, and other business leaders excel in 2025.

7 FP&A books for SaaS CFOs and finance leaders to add to their reading list this year

1. Using Excel for Business and Financial Modelling

Authored by Danielle Stein Fairhurst, Using Excel for Business and Financial Modelling is a comprehensive guide for enhancing financial analysis skills through Microsoft Excel. This book is the perfect guide to Excel for finance professionals at any level. 

Published by Wiley, the book is structured into 12 chapters, covering fundamental concepts of financial modeling, best practices, and error reduction strategies. It includes exercises, real-world case studies, and online resources designed to bridge the gap between advanced Excel techniques and their application in financial modeling. 

2. AI Mastery for Finance Professionals

AI Mastery for Finance Professionals by Glenn Hopper is a guide that demystifies artificial  intelligence (AI)—fundamentals, techniques, and applications—for finance professionals. 

The book provides frameworks to implement AI smoothly and includes case studies of successful AI applications in finance to help readers learn from actual scenarios. Unlike technical AI books, it prioritizes strategic insights over purely technical details, making it useful for non-technical leaders

3. Financial Planning & Analysis and Performance Management 

Financial Planning & Analysis and Performance Management by Jack Alexander is a definitive resource for SaaS CFOs and finance teams. Packed with case studies and examples, the book covers essential topics in financial planning and analysis (FP&A). 

It connects financial theory with practical applications, offering tools to enhance FP&A functions and drive business success. The book’s focus on dashboards, KPIs, and scenario planning is particularly relevant for SaaS businesses that rely on data-driven decision-making. 

4. Financial Forecasting, Analysis, and Modelling

In Financial Forecasting, Analysis, and Modelling, Michael Samonas provides a comprehensive framework for creating reliable long-term financial forecasts. 

The book focuses on integrating risk analysis and scenario modeling into financial planning, a crucial skill for CFOs facing economic volatility. It offers practical techniques to help organizations create stronger financial plans and develop long-term projections using Excel. The topics covered include financial statement simulation models, Excel Scenario Manager, Sensitivity Analysis, and Monte Carlo Simulation. 

5. FP&A Mastery 2025

FP&A Mastery 2025 by Hayden Van Der Post is particularly valuable for SaaS CFOs and finance teams looking to enhance their FP&A capabilities and improve business performance. It discusses forward-looking strategies, data-driven decision-making, and the integration of advanced analytics into financial planning. The interactive content and real-world examples ensure that readers can easily understand and apply the concepts.

6. FP&A 2025 Blueprint

FP&A 2025 Blueprint by Alice Van Der Post is a must-read for CFOs and finance teams looking to stay competitive.  The book provides a comprehensive roadmap to mastering FP&A in a data-driven business environment.  

It explores how emerging technologies like automation and digital transformation can enhance FP&A processes. With a focus on strategic budgeting, scenario analysis, and agile planning, the book provides practical tools and insights for success in modern finance.

7. Financial Analysis, Planning, and Forecasting

Financial Analysis, Planning, and Forecasting by Cheng Few Lee, Alice C. Lee, and John C. Lee is the best introduction to FP&A and corporate planning for newly-anointed CFOs and finance professionals.

Divided into six parts, the book connects financial theory and practical application on topics such as financial analysis methodologies, alternative finance theories, capital budgeting, corporate policies, short-term financial decisions, and financial planning and forecasting.

7 top picks for business and strategy

1. The Hard Thing About Hard Things 

The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz is a brutally honest account of the challenges of running a business. It is an essential resource for finance leaders as it focuses on building a strong company culture and making difficult financial decisions.

Drawing from his own experiences as a seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Horowitz  shares practical advice on navigating tough decisions, managing crises, and leading through uncertainty. This book is not about the glamour of entrepreneurship but the gritty, often painful realities of being a CEO.

2. Multipliers 

Business leaders face the challenge of doing more with less, and Multipliers by Liz Wiseman provides a practical guide to maximizing team performance without additional resources. The book explores two distinct leadership styles: Multipliers, who amplify the intelligence and capabilities of their teams, and Diminishers, who unintentionally stifle growth and innovation. 

By adopting the Multiplier mindset, leaders can empower employees to share their best ideas, leading to smarter decisions and greater efficiency. With a focus on accountability, debate, and talent optimization, this book is a must-read for finance leaders tackling complex challenges.

3. Behind the Cloud 

Behind the Cloud by Marc Benioff narrates the story of how Salesforce grew from a startup in a rented apartment into the world's fastest-growing software company in less than a decade. The book explores the strategies that motivated employees, turned customers into loyal supporters, built strong partnerships, and drove innovation. 

Benioff discusses Salesforce’s 1-1-1 model that incorporates corporate responsibility into its business strategy. He also explores key priorities for finance leaders, such as building a sustainable business model, using customer feedback for growth, and practicing financial discipline.

4. Zero to One

Zero to One by Peter Thiel is a thought-provoking exploration of innovation and entrepreneurship. It emphasizes the importance of creating something entirely new—going from “zero to one”—rather than merely replicating existing ideas (what Thiel calls “one to n”). It challenges conventional wisdom, offering a fresh perspective on monopolies, market creation, and the role of technology in progress. 

5. Rework

Rework by David Heinemeier Hansson and Jason Fried offers a fresh perspective on modern business practices, focusing on lean operations, cost efficiency, and prioritizing what’s important. It rejects common practices like overplanning, workaholism, and unnecessary meetings. With short chapters and clear language, Rework is a useful guide for entrepreneurs, CFOs, or business leaders looking to rethink their approach to work.

6. The McKinsey Mind

The McKinsey Mind by Ethan M. Rasiel is a practical follow-up to the bestselling The McKinsey Way, offering a step-by-step guide to applying McKinsey’s renowned hypothesis-driven problem-solving techniques. 

It covers typically McKinsey frameworks like MECE (mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive) and issue trees, and also discusses the structured thinking, data-driven analysis, and decision-making tools that have made the firm a global leader in consulting. 

7. Crucial Conversations 

Business leaders often face high-pressure situations that require clear and effective communication, such as negotiating budgets, addressing performance issues, or aligning cross-functional teams. 

‍Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, and Emily Gregory is a New York Times bestseller and business classic guide to handling high-stakes conversations where emotions are strong, opinions differ, and the results matter. The book provides actionable tools to encourage open dialogue, build understanding, and achieve better outcomes in both personal and professional situations.

10 blogs for every SaaS CFO, finance pro, and business leader to follow

1. The SaaS CFO

The SaaS CFO by Ben Murray is the go-to resource for SaaS finance professionals on SaaS metrics, FP&A processes, and financial modeling. It offers practical insights, strategies, and tips to address the unique financial and growth challenges SaaS companies face.

Recommended reads

• Scaling with Confidence: The Ultimate SaaS Metrics Playbook
• How to Properly Structure Your SaaS Accounting Foundation
• The Foundation of Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC)

2. The FP&A Guy

Paul Barnhurst is also known as The FP&A Guy from his eponymous blog page on everything FP&A. He is known for creating content that provides practical insights, tools, and strategies to help FP&A teams improve budgeting, forecasting, and strategic decision-making. His blogs focus on connecting data management with business collaboration to support growth and efficiency.

Recommended reads

• Assessing & Improving Your FP&A Skills
• How to Break into Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): Your Complete Guide
• Understanding the Role of FP&A in Mergers and Acquisitions

4. Drivetrain

Drivetrain is a comprehensive FP&A platform, enabling B2B SaaS CXOs and finance teams to automate their FP&A processes and streamline financial operations. 

Drivetrain’s blogs and library of strategic finance metrics are detailed and easy-to-digest content resources for finance professionals looking to improve financial processes through FP&A insights, best practices, and trends.

Recommended reads 

• How to improve cash flow projections with more accurate assumptions
• Financial forecasting and the CFO’s quandary: How complex does the model need to be?
• How to build an effective scenario planning process to protect and grow your business

5. CFO Journal

CFO Journal, published by The Wall Street Journal, offers curated resources on the latest trends and best practices in the finance industry, enabling financial executives to address strategic, operational, and regulatory issues and make better decisions for business success. 

The blogs and articles share news, analysis, and expert opinions relevant to CFOs and other finance leaders, including topics like FP&A, corporate finance, technology, and leadership – a great resource for CFOs who want to stay in the know. 

6. Financial Executives Journal

Financial Executives Journal enables finance professionals to stay up-to-date on industry trends, helping them make smarter decisions and drive business success. The blogs also cover the nuances around FP&A providing strategies, tools, and best practices to improve FP&A processes.

Recommended reads

• The Art and Importance of Storytelling in Financial Planning & Analysis
• Beyond the Numbers: How FP&A Storytelling Can Drive Consumer Brand Impact
• SaaS Key Performance Metrics CFOs and FP&A Leaders Should Know

7. Sudozi Blog

The Sudozi Blog is a dedicated resource for CFOs, finance leaders, and FP&A professionals. It provides insights into modern financial management and tips to achieve operational efficiency. Focused on simplifying finance operations, the articles emphasize using technology to streamline workflows, improve spending visibility, and enhance decision-making. 

Recommended reads

• Driving Smart Growth
• Controlled Burn: 3 Practical Tips for Effective Spend Request Workflows
• Avoiding WTF!? How to Establish Effective BvA Cadences

8. DNA Growth Blog

The DNA Growth Blog provides insights into FP&A and financial strategies for business growth. Topics include budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and strategic planning, making it a must-read for finance leaders. The blogs also focus on using technology, data-driven decisions, and best practices to help organizations improve processes and achieve long-term success.

Recommended reads

• FP&A Solutions – Top 7 Software for High-Growth SaaS Companies in 2025
• How to Boost Cash Flow: A Business’s Guide to Sustainable Growth
• Financial Hygiene: Best Financial Excellence Strategies for SaaS Companies

9. CloudEagle Blog

The CloudEagle Blog shares practical insights, best practices, and tools to help SaaS financial teams with SaaS spend management, budgeting, and forecasting. 

The articles highlight how technology, like CloudEagle’s SaaS management platform, can simplify FP&A processes, improve cost visibility, and support strategic growth.

Recommended reads

• 10 Financial Planning and Analysis Best Practices To Follow In 2025
• Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) - Components, Roles and Best Practices
• SaaS Cost Optimization: Insider Tips from a Finance Leader

10. EY CFO Agenda

EY CFO Agenda is a platform created to help CFOs and finance leaders tackle the challenges of modern financial management, especially around sustainability, technology, risk management, and the evolving role of CFOs in driving business growth. 

Recommended reads

• How sustainability and technology will transform CFOs into Value Architects
• How treasury technology helps navigate today’s financial landscape
• 5 steps for CFOs on the path to transformation

11 newsletters you'll look forward to getting in your email inbox

1. Mostly Metrics by CJ Gustafson

Mostly Metrics is a Substack newsletter by CJ Gustafson with over 61,000 subscribers. It simplifies complex SaaS metrics and financial concepts and also provides insights on financial planning, board meeting strategies, and pricing models. The newsletter is designed to help CFOs make better decisions, align finance with business goals, and tackle challenges like fundraising, forecasting, and building teams. 

CJ publishes frequently, creating over 160 pieces each year. The content combines practical templates, humor, and real-world examples, making it both useful and enjoyable for readers. 

2. The CFO Club 

The CFO Club’s newsletter, designed for CFOs and finance professionals, is a weekly resource sharing the latest trends and updates on financial technology, leadership strategies, and best practices. Each issue includes editor's picks, how-to guides, software reviews, and actionable advice.

3. Finance Alliance Weekly

Finance Alliance Weekly is a monthly newsletter for finance professionals including CFOs and FP&A teams. It delivers curated insights, expert interviews, and updates on industry trends, leadership events, and finance topics such as, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting. Each issue features articles, podcasts, and event updates to help finance professionals stay informed on industry trends and news.

4. The SaaS CFO

When you subscribe to The SaaS CFO’s email list, you’ll never miss any of the great content  Ben Murray shares about SaaS metrics, forecasting, and financial operations.

His emails deliver practical tools like Excel models, SaaS-focused insights, and actionable tips to help CFOs and FP&A teams improve financial performance. Subscribers also get access to exclusive templates and models to enhance their financial strategies. 

5. CFO Secrets

CFO Secrets is a weekly newsletter (with over 45,000 subscribers) published by the Secret CFO. It provides real-world insights, practical advice, and candid stories from corporate finance. The newsletter editions are a quick 5-minute read that skips the jargon and offers actionable takeaways on topics like FP&A, budgeting, leadership, and financial strategy. 

Blending humor, storytelling, and expertise, CFO Secrets tackles real challenges faced by finance leaders and is a fresh, no-nonsense alternative to traditional finance content.

6. FP&A Trends Digest

The FP&A Trends Digest is a bi-weekly newsletter from the FP&A Trends Group led by Larysa Melnychuk, covering topics like data-driven decision-making, AI in finance, and leadership strategies. Each issue includes articles, reports, and webinars from global finance experts, creating a community for FP&A professionals.

7. FP&A Newsletter

The FP&A Newsletter is a complimentary newsletter, with over 23,000 subscribers worldwide, for members of the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP). It is an essential resource for CFOs and finance teams aligning FP&A practices with organizational goals.

This monthly newsletter provides insights on topics like rolling forecasts, driver-based modeling, and strategic planning, along with case studies, best practices, and industry news. It also features tutorials, regulatory updates, and practical advice on improving FP&A practices. 

8. Financial Times

The Financial Times offers a variety of newsletters—such as Due Diligence, Moral Money, and FT Asset Management—designed for finance professionals, including CFOs, who want to stay updated on global trends and developments. 

Published on schedules ranging from daily to weekly, these newsletters cover topics like corporate finance, market trends, global trade, and sustainability. The newsletters are authored by FT’s expert journalists and analysts, providing in-depth insights, analysis, and updates.

9. Finance Flash

Finance Flash is a monthly newsletter with over 10,000 subscribers and is published by CFO Connect, a global community of finance professionals. Powered by  Spendesk, this email newsletter includes financial insights, job opportunities, webinar replays, and community updates to support a global network of finance leaders. It also features event schedules, tools, and strategies to help finance teams work more efficiently.

10. Clouded Judgement

Clouded Judgement is a weekly newsletter on Substack by Jamin Ball, a venture capitalist specializing in enterprise software investments, and has over 79,000 subscribers. The newsletter breaks down the latest trends in cloud software, including market performance, cash flow metrics, and valuation benchmarks.

11. Next Big Teng

Authored by Janelle Teng, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, Next Big Teng shares data-driven reflections on startups, AI/ML trends, and venture investing. The newsletter provides useful analyses and insights on the evolving landscape of technology and venture capital, and has over 8,000 subscribers. 

And, that’s a wrap! This curated list of books, blogs, and newsletters will not only help you navigate the exciting world of finance and FP&A, but also equip you with the skills needed to make smarter business decisions in 2025 and beyond.

‍Explore the resources that resonate with you and stay a step ahead of your peers and competitors with insights from trusted voices in the finance leadership and FP&A community.