Why Every Accountant Should Read Fiction Book?

When it comes to reading, we often assume that reading for knowledge is the ultimate goal. However, research suggests reading fiction may provide far more vital benefits than nonfiction.

Studies indicate that reading fiction significantly improves social insight and enhances the ability to comprehend others’ motivations. While nonfiction enriches knowledge, it does little to develop emotional intelligence (EQ), an increasingly vital asset in modern workplaces.

Accountancy is often regarded as a field of numbers, spreadsheets, and precision. Soft skills such as empathy, adaptability, and creative problem-solving are often overlooked. Yet, these are exactly the traits that elevate a good accountant to a great one. As accounting professionals interact with clients, navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, and collaborate with teams, EQ becomes indispensable. Fiction reading offers a surprisingly effective path to cultivate these qualities, transforming accountants into more well-rounded professionals.

The Role of Fiction in Cultivating Emotional Intelligence

Some of the valuable skills that employers look for in employees are often difficult to define, let alone evaluate or quantify: self-awareness, flexibility, creativity, and empathy. How do you measure kindness or evaluate rational judgment? For accountants aiming to build meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues, developing these skills can be as crucial as mastering tax codes and balance sheets. Neuroscience research suggests that fiction provides a solution, enhancing EQ by fostering empathy, critical thinking, and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal scenarios.

When accountants read, they engage cognitive “muscles” tied to emotional intelligence. This practice strengthens traits and behaviours highly valued by organisations looking to attract and retain talent. Reading fiction, specifically, nurtures a richer understanding of human emotions, intentions, and motivations—particularly valuable skills in client management and advisory roles.

Successful business leaders frequently highlight the value of reading, with Warren Buffet reportedly devoting most of his day to it and Elon Musk famously attributing his knowledge of rocket science to books. Yet, the reading lists of these icons are heavily dominated by nonfiction. Of the 94 books recommended by Bill Gates over seven years, only nine were fiction.

This focus on nonfiction may make sense for gathering facts or refining technical skills, but fiction delivers something more elusive: the ability to understand people. For accountants, who often face the challenge of explaining intricate financial details to diverse stakeholders, such an ability can be transformative. Fiction provides an unparalleled opportunity to step into someone else’s shoes, sharpening the interpersonal skills often crucial in financial advisory roles.

Fiction as a Tool for Workplace Growth

Fiction is effective in professional settings because it can anchor difficult discussions. Stories’ narrative structure—rich characters, intricate plots, and diverse settings—offers a neutral platform for exploring sensitive and complex issues. In accountancy, where ethical dilemmas and communication challenges are part of the job, fiction can provide new perspectives.

For example, Nancy Kidder, a facilitator with Books@Work, recounts how her group’s discussion of Chinua Achebe’s Dead Man’s Path transformed workplace dialogue. The story’s central character, a Nigerian school headmaster, struggles with balancing modernisation and tradition, providing a metaphor for workplace challenges. After the discussion, one participant remarked, “I don’t want to be a Michael Obi here,” referring to the character’s failure to appreciate others’ perspectives.

Such conversations foster authentic sharing and deeper reflection—qualities essential for accountants who weigh diverse viewpoints in complex financial scenarios. Fiction helps readers navigate competing narratives, a skill that can be directly applied when advising clients or collaborating on cross-functional teams.

Expanding Perspectives Through Literature

Authentic sharing often means just putting folks together to discuss engaging texts. These texts highlight the nuances of human decision-making, presenting characters with equally valid but conflicting viewpoints. In contrast, business books often oversimplify dilemmas into binary choices.

For accountants, whose decisions can significantly impact clients’ lives, fiction offers a framework for grappling with ambiguity and uncertainty. Whether weighing competing financial strategies or considering the ethical implications of their advice, accountants can benefit from the literature’s ability to broaden their decision-making lens.

For example, reading George Saunders’ short story Puppy, which explores contrasting parenting approaches, can help accountants understand clients’ diverse values in financial planning. Similarly, Octavia Butler’s Kindred, which examines race and identity, encourages more profound reflection on societal structures—a skill that can aid accountants in addressing diverse client needs.

Cognitive Benefits of Fiction

Research indicates that reading literary fiction reduces the brain’s “need for cognitive closure”—the urge to make decisions quickly and avoid ambiguity. Individuals with a high need for closure tend to rely heavily on early information prompts, limiting their ability to adapt as new information arises. Accountants, who often deal with evolving financial regulations and shifting client priorities, benefit significantly from a mindset that embraces complexity and multiple perspectives.

A University of Toronto study revealed that participants who read short stories rather than essays demonstrated a lower need for cognitive closure. Fiction forces readers to slow down, absorb detailed information, and entertain conflicting interpretations. This mirrors the cognitive agility accountants require when reconciling diverse financial data or adapting strategies to suit unpredictable market conditions.

For instance, experiencing the inner monologue of Humbert Humbert in Nabokov’s Lolita—despite its morally reprehensible protagonist—requires readers to process uncomfortable perspectives. This skill can translate into accountants’ ability to empathise with clients facing financial challenges, enabling more constructive dialogue and tailored solutions.

Investing in Fiction Reading for Accountants

While integrating fiction into professional development may seem unconventional, initial experiments suggest it is highly effective. Marvin Riley, CEO of EnPro Industries, facilitated literature discussions at his organisation to foster collaboration and critical thinking. Participants read short stories and novels and discussed them in guided sessions during work hours. Riley credits the initiative with improving communication and creating a shared language for tackling workplace challenges.

For accounting teams, such programs could offer transformative benefits. Discussions centred on fiction encourage openness and honesty, helping teams address sensitive topics like workplace ethics, innovation, and cultural diversity. Moreover, they provide a platform to explore “soft skills” like empathy and adaptiveness, which are increasingly important in a field shaped by rapid technological change.

Fiction Reading as a Strategic Advantage

While no direct studies link fiction reading to enhanced performance in accountancy, the evidence from other fields is compelling. Cognitive scientist Maryanne Wolf notes in Reader, Come Home that the depth of our reading mirrors our thinking. Accountants aiming to deliver thoughtful, client-centric advice would do well to embrace fiction to develop this reflective mindset.

Incorporating fiction into one’s routine need not be daunting. A short story by Jhumpa Lahiri or an excerpt from To Kill a Mockingbird can serve as a starting point. The goal is not just entertainment but engagement with ideas and emotions that expand cognitive and emotional capacity.

Choosing The Right Fiction for Accountants

Not all fiction is created equally; therefore, selecting the correct genre or author will help you get the most advantages. Here are some recommendations tailored to accountants:

• Mystery and Crime: Stories like Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express challenge your analytical mind.
• Historical Fiction: Through novels like Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth, historical fiction teaches about human resilience and economic histories.
• Literary fiction: Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner explores complex emotions and relationships.
• Science Fiction & Fantasy: Ignite your creativity with the inventive worlds in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit or Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series.

How Do You Fit Fiction into A Busy Schedule?

Though Accountants often have long working hours, incorporating fiction into daily life doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are a few tips:

• Set a reading goal: commit to reading over ten pages daily.
• Listen to audiobooks: transform your travel time into a reading opportunity for fiction books.
• Enrol in a book club: Talk to other readers to stay inspired and find fresh content.
• Make it a ritual: Decide time to relax with a reading before bed.

Stats That Prove the Power of Reading Fiction

• Increased empathy: According to scientific studies, reading literary fiction raises emotional intelligence and empathy.
• Reduced stress: Reading can help one lower stress by up to 68%, according to the University of Sussex.
• Brain connectivity: Emory University’s studies on brain connectivity found that reading fiction strengthens neural pathways in the brain. 

Final Thoughts

For accountants, reading fiction might initially seem unrelated to their technical expertise. Yet, in a profession increasingly defined by interpersonal interactions, ethical decision-making, and creative problem-solving, the benefits of fiction are undeniable. It sharpens emotional intelligence, nurtures empathy, and fosters the flexibility required to excel in today’s dynamic finance market.

In a world dominated by balance sheets and financial projections, fiction offers accountants the chance to explore the richness of human complexity—an investment as valuable as any other. Whether it’s through the profound insights of Chinua Achebe or the ethical dilemmas in Kazuo Ishiguro’s works, fiction reading can equip accountants with the tools to navigate not just numbers but the human stories behind them.

FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions