Reading an Accounting textbook on a PDF (laptop/tablet) requires different study habits than reading a history novel.
If your class requires an online homework portal (like McGraw-Hill Connect or WileyPlus), the textbook PDF is often included in the price of the access code. Before buying a used physical book, check if the digital access includes an "e-Book" version. This is usually cheaper than the physical hardcover and fully searchable.
If you have your PDF or book in hand, here are the three pillars of Accounting 1A that you must master to pass.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the cost. New editions of popular textbooks like Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (Phillips/Libby/Libby) or Financial Accounting (Weygandt/Kimmel/Kieso) can cost upwards of $150–$200.