Level Up Your Team: Free and Paid Accounting Courses

Level Up Your Team: Free and Paid Accounting Courses

A lot of people think accounting is a slow and boring field, but it's actually a dynamic and ever-changing profession. Technology is constantly transforming how we handle finances, and regulatory standards are becoming stricter.

In this fast-paced environment, keeping your team's skills up-to-date is essential. One of the best ways to achieve this is through accounting courses. However, with so many options available, finding the right course can be overwhelming.

That's why we've put together a list of some of the best accounting courses to help you enhance your team's expertise.

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Top Accounting Courses for Beginners

If you're new to accounting or have interns just starting out, these courses are great for building a solid foundation. Here are our top picks:

1. Introduction to Financial Accounting

This is a four-week online course led by Brian Bushee, offering around 13 hours of content. You'll receive a certificate upon completion, which you can share.

•Platform/Provider: Coursera, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School)

•Content: Basics of financial accounting, financial statements, balance sheets

•Type: Online & Free

•Duration: 4 weeks

2. Basic Accounting

A fantastic free course for grasping core accounting principles. It takes about four hours and provides a CDP certification.

•Platform/Provider: Alison

•Content: Basics of accounting, financial analysis, cash flow

•Type: Online & Free

•Duration: Self-paced

3. Financial Accounting

FundamentalsLearn how to prepare and analyze financial statements. There's a free version available, but the paid version offers more in-depth material.

•Platform/Provider: edX, Southern New Hampshire University

•Content: Accounting concepts, reporting financial transactions, income statements

•Type: Online (Free and Paid versions available - $498)

•Duration: 16 weeks

4. Accounting: Principles of Financial Accounting

This course provides a solid introduction to accounting. It includes 67 minutes of video material, seven text-based lessons, and three quizzes.

•Platform/Provider: Coursera, IESE Business School

•Content: Role of accounting, financial statements, the accounting equation

•Type: Online & Free

•Duration: 4 weeks

5. Bookkeeping Basics #1: Understand the Fundamentals

Ideal for accounting students and small business owners, this course provides 54 downloadable resources and a certificate upon completion.

•Platform/Provider: Udemy

•Content: Bookkeeping fundamentals

•Type: Online, Paid ($9.99)

•Duration: Over four hours of video lectures

6. Accounting Coach

This straightforward guide helps beginners understand accounting basics, including debits, credits, and the cash flow statement.

•Platform/Provider: Accounting Coach

•Content: Basic accounting lessons

•Type: Online & Free

•Duration: Self-paced with numerous lectures

7. Accounting Principles: Learn The Basics of Accounting and Bookkeeping

A comprehensive course on accounting principles, takes about eight hours to complete. It covers financial accounting, management, and record-keeping.

•Platform/Provider: Skillshare

•Content: Financial accounting, financial management, financial records

•Type: Online, Paid via Skillshare subscription ($25 per year)

•Duration: Self-paced with nearly 100 lectures

Intermediate and Advanced Accounting Courses

For those with more experience, these courses provide deeper insights and advanced skills:

1. Principles of Finance

Offered by Harvard Extension School, this course goes beyond the basics to cover business analysis and microeconomic theory.

•Platform/Provider: Harvard Extension School

•Content: Managerial accounting, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)

•Type: In-person or Online, Paid ($3,100)

•Duration: 7 weeks

2. Financial Reporting Specialization

This specialization teaches how to interpret and create detailed financial reports, featuring practical activities and peer-reviewed analyses.

•Platform/Provider: Coursera, University of Illinois

•Content: Financial reporting, statement analysis

•Type: Online & Free

•Duration: 9 months (suggested pace: 3 hours per week)

3. Certificate Program In Management Accounting

Delve into managerial accounting with this course. It covers preparing funds flow statements, CVP analysis, and marginal costing.

•Platform/Provider: Udemy

•Content: Financial management, managerial accounting

•Type: Online & Paid ($49.99)

•Duration: Self-paced with 24 lectures

4. Corporate Finance

For advanced learners making strategic decisions and planning investments, this course is a great resource.

•Platform/Provider: edX, IIMBx

•Content: Financial decision-making, investments, capital budgeting

•Type: Online, Free with optional paid upgrade

•Duration: 5 weeks

5. Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination

This course focuses on fraud detection and forensic accounting, providing a solid foundation for investigating financial misconduct.

•Platform/Provider: Coursera, West Virginia University

•Content: Forensic accounting, internal control, fraud investigation

•Type: Online & Free

•Duration: 4 weeks (about 6 hours of content)

6. Excel: Management Accounting

If you want to enhance your Excel skills for accounting, this course is perfect. It covers advanced management accounting techniques using Excel.

•Platform/Provider: LinkedIn Learning

•Content: Microsoft Excel, management accounting

•Type: Online & Paid ($30)

•Duration: Self-paced with 94 minutes of lectures

7. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA): Exam Prep & Study Guide

For those preparing for the CIA exam, this course offers a step-by-step guide to help with your studies.

•Platform/Provider: Study.com

•Content: Internal auditing, data analysis, fraud risk management

•Type: Online & Free

•Duration: Self-paced with 22 chapters

Accounting Certifications for Career Growth

Sometimes, advancing your career requires more than just completing courses. Here are some key certifications that can help:

1. Certified Public Accountant by AICPA

The AICPA provides this certification, which requires passing a 16-hour exam covering auditing, business concepts, financial accounting, and regulation.

2. Chartered Global Management Accountant by AICPA and CIMA

This certification shows expertise in international financial reporting standards (IFRS).

3. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - CPA Australia

This certification is ideal for those looking to work in Australia, offering global recognition. It requires passing an extensive exam in accounting and finance.

4. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)Offered by IMA

The CMA certification is geared toward management accounting and involves two parts: financial planning and control, and financial decision-making.

5. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)Provided by IIA

This certification focuses on internal auditing, including risk management, governance, and internal controls.

6. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)Offered by ACFE

The CFE certification covers fraud prevention, detection, and investigation, including legal aspects and investigative techniques.

7. Enrolled Agent by IRS

The IRS offers the Enrolled Agent certification, allowing you to represent taxpayers before the IRS in audits and appeals. It requires passing a three-part exam on tax law and procedures.