The Triumph of the Accountants and How They Broke Capitalism by Richard Brooks

A Deep Dive into the Role of Accountants in Shaping Modern Capitalism

Bean Counters: The Triumph of the Accountants and How They Broke Capitalism by Richard Brooks was a surprisingly captivating read for me. It took me deep into the world of accounting—a subject I didn’t expect to find so intriguing—and showed how much influence accountants actually have over our economies and societies.

The book explores how accountants, far from just being number-crunchers, have become key players in shaping the rules of capitalism. Brooks explains how the “Big Four” accounting firms—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—have grown into massive, powerful entities that not only audit companies but also advise them on how to avoid taxes, dodge regulations, and even cook the books in some cases. It’s all about how they’ve helped create a system where corporate scandals, tax evasion, and financial crashes are almost inevitable.

What made Bean Counters so interesting for me was how it connected the dots between something as technical as accounting and the real-world consequences it has on inequality, financial crises, and corruption. I learned a ton about the hidden ways these firms influence government policy, big corporations, and even the way we see markets and fairness. Brooks also breaks down complicated financial concepts in a way that’s easy to understand, which made it even more engaging.

I enjoyed reading it because it had this modern, investigative feel. It wasn’t just a dry history of accounting—it was a sharp critique of how these firms operate today and how their unchecked power has shaped the world in ways most of us don’t even realize. Brooks’s writing style kept me hooked, and I walked away with a totally new perspective on the role of accountants in modern capitalism. Overall, it was a thought-provoking and enlightening read about a part of the financial world that often flies under the radar.