Category: Accounting & Tax

20 Must-Watch TV Series for CPAs and Accountants in 2026

     
    Toc

    Table of contents Toc Icon

      CPAs and accountants play an important role in every business. They manage numbers, reports, taxes, compliance, audits, and financial decisions that help companies run smoothly. But the work can get demanding. Long hours, deadlines, complex reports, and client expectations can make the profession stressful at times.

      TV series can be a good way to take a break while still learning something useful. Some shows explore fraud, business failures, startup growth, money laundering, corporate governance, and workplace culture. Others give a lighter look at finance and office life.

      Here are the best TV series that accountants and CPAs can watch for entertainment, business lessons, and finance-related insights.

      1. The Office

      the-office-the-accountants

      The Office offers a funny and relatable look at corporate life. While it is a comedy, it still gives CPAs and accountants a light view of office culture, teamwork, expenses, management, and workplace behavior.

      The Dunder Mifflin team brings out the everyday quirks of business operations. For accountants, Kevin Malone’s role adds a familiar touch, showing the lighter side of accounting in a busy office setting.

      It is a good pick for accountants who want to unwind after work without moving too far away from the business world. The Office mixes humor, people management, and office lessons in a simple and entertaining way.

      IMDb: 9.0/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

      Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock

      Suggested Read: 25 Best Movies Accountants Must Watch in 2026

      2. Narcos

      narcos-money-laundering-crime-series

      Narcos is a crime drama series based on the illegal drug trade in Colombia. The show follows law enforcement, political figures, cartels, and civilians as they deal with the rise of powerful criminal networks.

      For accounting professionals, Narcos offers a look at illegal money movement and the wider economic impact of organized crime. It shows how hidden financial systems can support large criminal operations.

      The series is useful for viewers interested in financial crime, money laundering, and the role of enforcement in tracking illegal funds. It is intense, but it adds value for professionals who want to understand the darker side of finance.

      IMDb: 8.8/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

      Where to watch: Netflix

      3. Succession

      succession-corporate-finance-business-series

      Succession is a sharp business drama about the Roy family and their battle for control of a global media empire. The show explores power, wealth, leadership, family conflict, and corporate decision-making.

      For CPAs and accountants, Succession is useful because it touches on mergers, acquisitions, governance, valuation, succession planning, and business control. It shows how financial decisions are often shaped by people, power, and poor planning.

      The series is intense, clever, and business-focused. It is a strong watch for accountants who want a deeper look at corporate behavior, leadership problems, and the financial pressure behind major business decisions.

      IMDb: 8.8/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

      Where to watch: Max / HBO Max

      4. Silicon Valley

      silicon-valley-startup-finance-series

      Silicon Valley is a satirical comedy about the startup world. The series follows Richard Hendricks and his team as they build Pied Piper and deal with investors, competitors, funding rounds, and business pressure.

      For accountants and CPAs, the show gives a funny but useful view of venture capital, valuation, budgeting, growth planning, and startup decision-making. It shows how business ideas can fail without the right financial structure.

      The show uses humor to explain the chaos behind fast-growing tech companies. It is a good watch for finance professionals who work with startups or want to understand the financial side of scaling a business.

      IMDb: 8.5/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

      Where to watch: Max / HBO Max

      5. Ozark

      ozark-accounting-money-laundering-series

      Ozark is an American crime drama starring Jason Bateman as Marty Byrde, a financial advisor who becomes involved in a money laundering operation for a drug cartel. After things go wrong, he moves his family to the Ozarks to continue laundering money.

      For accountants and CPAs, Ozark gives a dramatic look at financial crime, hidden cash flows, and the risks of illegal money movement. It shows how complex and dangerous money laundering can become.

      The series also highlights the importance of strong internal controls, ethical decision-making, and financial oversight. While fictional, Ozark gives finance professionals an intense view of what can happen when money and crime overlap.

      IMDb: 8.4/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 82%

      Where to watch: Netflix

      6. Billions

      billions-corporate-finance-series

      Billions takes viewers into the high-stakes world of hedge funds, legal battles, power, and wealth. The show follows the conflict between billionaire investor Bobby Axelrod and U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades.

      For finance professionals, the series covers insider trading, tax issues, compliance, market pressure, and ethical gray areas. It gives accountants and CPAs a closer look at how money, law, and influence can collide.

      The show is fast-paced and dramatic, but it also raises useful questions about governance, accountability, and financial ethics. Billions is a strong pick for viewers who enjoy finance-heavy storytelling with legal and moral tension.

      IMDb: 8.3/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

      Where to watch: Paramount+ / Showtime

      7. Money Heist

      money-heist-financial-crime-series

      Money Heist is a Spanish crime drama about a group of robbers who plan and carry out major heists. The story is built around strategy, timing, teamwork, risk, and financial planning.

      For accountants, the series offers an entertaining look at how money systems, planning, and crisis control shape high-pressure situations. While fictional, it shows the importance of numbers, preparation, and decision-making.

      The show is more entertainment-focused than accounting-focused, but it still fits this list because of its financial crime angle. It keeps viewers engaged while showing the risks involved in complex money-related operations.

      IMDb: 8.2/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 93%

      Where to watch: Netflix

      8. American Greed

      american-greed-accounting-fraud-series

      American Greed is a documentary series that covers real cases of scams, fraud, identity theft, financial crime, and corporate misconduct. Each episode shows how people misuse trust, money, and business systems for personal gain.

      For accountants and CPAs, the series offers practical lessons on fraud detection, financial red flags, documentation, and ethical responsibility. It also shows how financial crimes can hurt ordinary people, employees, investors, and small businesses.

      American Greed is a strong addition to this list because it connects real cases with the importance of professional skepticism and strong financial controls. It is useful for anyone interested in fraud prevention and financial accountability.

      IMDb: 8.2/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: Not widely listed

      Where to watch: Peacock / CNBC

      9. Orange Is the New Black

      orange-is-the-new-black-business-finance-series

      Orange Is the New Black is an American comedy-drama series set inside a women’s prison. The story follows the lives of inmates, prison staff, and administrators as they deal with personal, social, and institutional challenges.

      For accountants, the role of Linda Ferguson adds a finance-related angle. Her work focuses on saving money and managing costs within the prison system, which connects the show to budgeting and financial decision-making.

      The series is not a traditional accounting show, but it offers useful lessons on cost control, resource allocation, and the human impact of financial decisions. It is a different but interesting addition to this list.

      IMDb: 8.1/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

      Where to watch: Netflix

      10. Dirty Money

      dirty-money-financial-crime-documentary

      Dirty Money is a documentary series that uncovers real cases of greed, fraud, corruption, tax evasion, and unethical business practices. Each episode focuses on a different financial scandal or corporate misconduct case.

      For accountants and CPAs, the series offers important lessons on transparency, compliance, documentation, and professional responsibility. It shows how financial crimes can affect employees, customers, investors, and ordinary people.

      Dirty Money is one of the most relevant series on this list for accounting professionals. It is eye-opening, serious, and useful for anyone who wants to understand how financial misconduct happens in the real world.

      IMDb: 8.1/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 97%

      Where to watch: Netflix

      11. Shark Tank

      shark-tank-business-investment-show

      Shark Tank gives viewers a front-row seat to business pitches, investor questions, valuations, and funding decisions. Entrepreneurs present their ideas to experienced investors and try to secure a deal.

      For accountants and CPAs, the show offers clear lessons in revenue, margins, forecasting, equity, cash flow, and business valuation. The Sharks often question the numbers first, which makes the show useful for finance professionals.

      It is also a good reminder that strong financials can make or break a business pitch. Shark Tank is entertaining, practical, and filled with real-world lessons for accountants, entrepreneurs, and advisors.

      IMDb: 7.7/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 83%

      Where to watch: Hulu / ABC

      12. The Dropout

      the-dropout-accounting-fraud-series

      The Dropout is a drama series based on the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. It follows how a promising healthcare startup attracted investors, media attention, and business partnerships before its claims started falling apart.

      For accounting and finance professionals, the series highlights the importance of due diligence, truthful reporting, internal controls, and strong governance. It also shows how pressure to grow fast can lead companies to hide problems instead of fixing them.

      The Dropout is especially useful for CPAs who work with startups, investors, or fast-growing businesses. It shows that numbers, claims, and projections must always be backed by evidence.

      IMDb: 7.5/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

      Where to watch: Hulu

      13. Andy Barker, PI

      andy-barker-pi-accounting-investigation-series

      Andy Barker, PI is a lighthearted sitcom created by Conan O’Brien and Jonathan Groff. The series stars Andy Richter as Andy Barker, a mild-mannered CPA who becomes a private investigator after losing his accounting job.

      The show follows Andy as he tries to solve cases, even though he often finds himself outside his comfort zone. His accounting background, attention to detail, and strong sense of honesty make the character easy for CPAs to relate to.

      Andy Barker, PI is a fun break from heavier finance and crime dramas. It adds humor to the list while still keeping an accountant at the center of the story.

      IMDb: 7.5/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 92%

      Where to watch: Prime Video / Apple TV (purchase/rent)

      14. Industry

      industry-investment-banking-finance-series

      Industry is a finance drama about young professionals working at a high-pressure investment bank in London. The series shows the world of trading floors, client relationships, risk-taking, office politics, and financial ambition.

      For accountants and finance professionals, Industry gives a closer look at how pressure and competition shape decisions in financial services. It also highlights the need for ethics, compliance, accountability, and risk awareness.

      The show is especially engaging for viewers interested in banking, markets, corporate culture, and finance careers. It is more finance-focused than accounting-focused, but it still offers strong lessons for CPAs working around financial systems.

      IMDb: 7.5/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 91%

      Where to watch: Max / HBO Max

      15. MADOFF: The Monster of Wall Street

      madoff-accounting-fraud-documentary-series

      MADOFF: The Monster of Wall Street is a documentary series based on Bernie Madoff, the man behind one of the largest Ponzi schemes in Wall Street history.

      For accountants and CPAs, this series is a strong reminder of why financial transparency, audit responsibility, regulatory checks, and investor protection matter. It shows how misplaced trust, weak oversight, and ignored red flags can allow financial fraud to continue for years.

      The series also gives professionals a closer look at how fraud affects investors, employees, families, and the larger financial system. It is a serious but important watch for anyone interested in accounting ethics, compliance, and fraud detection.

      IMDb: 7.3/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

      Where to watch: Netflix

      16. Super Pumped

      super-pumped-business-finance-series

      Super Pumped is a Showtime anthology series that follows the rise and fall of Uber. The first season shows how a fast-growing startup can face serious leadership, culture, and business control challenges.

      From an accountant’s perspective, Super Pumped highlights the importance of building a strong finance and accounting function early. Startups often move fast, but growth without financial discipline can create long-term risks.

      The series is an engaging watch for accountants, entrepreneurs, and finance professionals who want to understand the pressure behind high-growth companies. It is also a reminder that strong accounting practices matter at every stage of business.

      IMDb: 7.3/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 66%

      Where to watch: Showtime / Paramount+

      17. WeCrashed

      wecrashed-startup-finance-business-series

      WeCrashed is a drama series based on the rise and fall of WeWork. The series follows how bold ideas, aggressive expansion, and investor confidence helped the company grow quickly before serious business and governance problems became clear.

      For accountants and CPAs, WeCrashed offers useful lessons on startup valuation, cash burn, investor reporting, and corporate accountability. It shows how rapid growth can look impressive while financial risks keep building inside the business.

      The series is a good watch for professionals who work with startups, founders, investors, or companies planning fast expansion. It reminds viewers that growth should be backed by realistic numbers and responsible leadership.

      IMDb: 7.3/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 65%

      Where to watch: Apple TV+

      18. Skandal! Bringing Down Wirecard

      wirecard-scandal-accounting-fraud-documentary

      Skandal! Bringing Down Wirecard and related documentaries on the Wirecard case explore one of the biggest corporate fraud scandals in recent history. The story focuses on accounting irregularities, audit concerns, and missing funds.

      For CPAs and auditors, the Wirecard scandal is highly relevant. It shows why auditor independence, professional skepticism, internal controls, and transparent financial reporting are so important.

      The case also reminds accounting professionals that large companies can still hide serious problems if controls fail or warnings are ignored. This series is a strong watch for anyone interested in fraud detection, audit quality, and financial accountability.

      IMDb: 7.2/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 68%

      Where to watch: Netflix / YouTube

      19. McMillion$

      mcmillions-financial-fraud-documentary

      McMillion$ is a documentary series about the McDonald’s Monopoly promotion fraud case. The series explains how a major promotional contest was manipulated for years, leading to millions of dollars in fraudulent winnings.

      For accountants and CPAs, McMillion$ is a strong example of why internal controls, fraud prevention, audit trails, and access management matter. It shows how one weak point in a system can create room for long-running fraud.

      The series is interesting because it connects financial crime, business operations, marketing, and investigation. It is a useful watch for professionals who want to understand how fraud can happen outside traditional accounting departments too.

      IMDb: 7.2/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 87%

      Where to watch: Max / HBO Max

      20. The Big Conn

      the-big-conn-accounting-fraud-documentary

      The Big Conn is a documentary series about a large U.S. government fraud case involving attorney Eric C. Conn. The series follows whistleblowers, investigators, and reporters as they help uncover fraud affecting public funds and vulnerable people.

      For accounting professionals, The Big Conn highlights the importance of documentation, oversight, fraud reporting, and accountability. It also shows why professionals should pay attention when numbers, claims, or approval patterns do not add up.

      The series is a useful watch for CPAs interested in government fraud, public money, whistleblower cases, and internal controls. It shows how weak oversight can damage trust and affect real people.

      IMDb: 7.0/10

      Rotten Tomatoes: 67%

      Where to watch: Apple TV+ / Max

      Final Note

      After a long day of reviewing numbers, working through spreadsheets, and handling complex financial documents, CPAs and accountants deserve a break from the seriousness of their profession.

      These TV series offer a mix of entertainment and learning. Some explore fraud, money laundering, audits, and corporate scandals. Others show startup pressure, workplace culture, valuation, governance, and ethical decision-making.

      Whether you want a comedy, a business drama, or a real-world financial crime documentary, this list has something for every accounting professional. So, grab your favorite snack, settle in, and enjoy a fresh look at the world of money, numbers, and business.

      Move Your Accounting Software To The Cloud With Us Today!

      About Julie Watson

      Julie Watson's profile picture

      Julie Watson loves helping businesses navigate their technology needs by breaking complex concepts into clear, practical solutions. With over 20 years of experience, her expertise spans cloud hosting, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), and accounting solutions, enabling organizations to work more efficiently and securely. A proud mother and New York University graduate, Julie balances her professional pursuits with weekends spent with her family or surfing the iconic waves of Oahu’s North Shore.

      Find Julie Watson on:

      Leave a Reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Browse A Category