Financial Management and Accounting

"Financial Management: Theory & Practice" by Eugene F. Brigham and Michael C. Ehrhardt

This comprehensive textbook covers essential financial management concepts, including financial analysis, planning, and decision-making, which are crucial for understanding private-sector financial practices.

Publisher: Cengage Learning

Publication Date: May 4, 2023 (17th Edition)

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Management-Practice-Eugene-Brigham/dp/0357714482

"Financial Intelligence: A Manager's Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean" by Karen Berman and Joe Knight

This book breaks down complex financial concepts into understandable terms and provides practical advice on interpreting financial statements and metrics, making it ideal for executives new to the private sector.

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

Publication Date: February 19, 2013 (Revised Edition)

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Intelligence-Revised-Managers-Knowing/dp/1422144119

Corporate Strategy and Market Dynamics

"Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors" by Michael E. Porter

Porter's classic book on competitive strategy offers tools and frameworks for analyzing market dynamics and developing strategies to achieve a competitive advantage.

Publisher: Free Press

Publication Date: June 1, 1998

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Competitive-Strategy-Techniques-Analyzing-Industries/dp/0684841487   

"Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant" by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

This book provides innovative approaches to strategic thinking and market positioning, encouraging executives to explore new opportunities and create value in uncharted markets.

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

Publication Date: February 3, 2005

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ocean-Strategy-Uncontested-Competition/dp/1591396190

Leadership and Change Management

"The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan" by George B. Bradt, Jayme A. Check, and John A. Lawler:

This book provides a step-by-step guide for leaders to successfully transition into new roles and drive organizational impact within their first 100 days.

Publisher: Wiley

Publication Date: July 2022 (5th Edition)

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/New-Leaders-100-Day-Action-Plan/dp/1119884535

"Leading Change" by John P. Kotter

Kotter's book on change management offers a step-by-step framework for leading organizational change, which is essential for executives transitioning to a new environment and implementing new practices.

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Change-John-P-Kotter/dp/0875847471

"The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter" by Michael D. Watkins

This book provides a practical guide for executives transitioning into new roles, offering strategies to quickly adapt and make an impact within the first 90 days.

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

Publication Date: April 23, 2013

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/First-90-Days-Strategies-Expanded/dp/1422188612

Corporate Governance and Risk Management

"Corporate Governance" by Robert A. G. Monks and Nell Minow

This book covers the principles and practices of corporate governance, providing insights into the roles and responsibilities of boards, audit committees, and executive leadership in private companies.

Publisher: Wiley

Publication Date: April 8, 2011 (5th Edition)

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Governance-Robert-A-G-Monks/dp/0470972599

"The Essentials of Risk Management" by Michel Crouhy, Dan Galai, and Robert Mark

This book offers a comprehensive overview of risk management practices, including financial, operational, and strategic risks, which are crucial for executives in the private sector.

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education

Publication Date: December 6, 2005

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Risk-Management-Michel-Crouhy/dp/0071429662

Financial Modeling and Analysis

"Financial Modeling" by Simon Benninga

Benninga's book is a detailed guide to building financial models, including valuation, forecasting, and scenario analysis, which are critical skills for private sector financial executives.

Publisher: MIT Press

Publication Date: July 1, 2014 (4th Edition)

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Modeling-Simon-Benninga/dp/0262027283

"Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies" by McKinsey & Company Inc., Tim Koller, Marc Goedhart, and David Wessels

This book provides a deep dive into valuation techniques and methodologies, helping executives understand how to measure and manage company value effectively.

Publisher: Wiley

Publication Date: June 27, 2020 (7th Edition)

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Valuation-Measuring-Managing-Companies-Wiley/dp/1119610885

Government regulations for private companies

"The Complete Guide to Regulatory Compliance: A Layman's Handbook for Private Companies" by J.C. Demetriou

This simplifies the complex world of government regulations for business owners, managers, and executives who need to understand regulatory requirements without delving into overly technical legal jargon.

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication Date: March 15, 2016

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Regulatory-Compliance-Handbook/dp/1530562774

Personal Development and Business Acumen

"The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses" by Eric Ries

Although focused on startups, this book offers valuable lessons on innovation, agility, and customer-centric approaches that can benefit executives in any organization.

Publisher: Crown Business

Publication Date: September 13, 2011

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898

"Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman

Kahneman's exploration of decision-making processes provides insights into cognitive biases and rational thinking, which are essential for strategic planning and financial decision-making.

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Publication Date: October 25, 2011

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374275637

Mergers & Acquisitions

Middle Market M & A: Handbook for Advisors, Investors, and Business Owners (Wiley Finance) 2nd Edition - By Kenneth H. Marks (Author), Christian W. Blees (Author), Michael R. Nall (Author), Thomas A. Stewart (Author)

A comprehensive overview of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic transactions of privately held companies with revenues between $5 and $500 million per year. Market trends, perspectives, and strategies commonly affecting business transitions in all phases of a deal, as well as the processes and core subject areas (e.g. valuation, structure, taxation, due diligence, etc.) required to successfully navigate and close transactions in the private capital markets. This book serves as the basis for the AM&AA (Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors) Certification.

Publisher: Wiley

Publication Date: October 4, 2022 (2nd Edition)

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Middle-Market-Handbook-Advisors-Investors/dp/1119828104