5 Free Accounting Courses That Won’t Cost a Penny

Are you looking to dive into the world of accounting without breaking the bank? You’re in luck! There are several high-quality, free online accounting courses offered by reputable universities and institutions. Here’s a curated list of five top-notch courses that provide comprehensive learning experiences in accounting—all for free!

1. Financial Accounting Review by Financial Edge Training

Provider: Financial Edge Training
Duration: Self-paced
Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Financial Edge Training offers a robust Financial Accounting Review course designed to solidify your understanding of key accounting principles. This course is perfect for those new to accounting or professionals looking to refresh their knowledge. Topics include financial statements, balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow analysis. The course is self-paced, allowing you to learn at your own speed, and is structured in a clear, accessible manner.

For those looking for a more comprehensive and paid version, Financial Edge Training also offers The Accountant. This course delves deeper into accounting principles and practices, providing extensive resources and personalized support to ensure mastery of the subject.

2. Introduction to Financial Accounting

Provider: Coursera (University of Pennsylvania)
Duration: 4 weeks, 4-6 hours per week
Level: Beginner

Offered by the Wharton School, this course covers the basics of financial accounting. You’ll learn how to read and analyze financial statements, understand the accounting cycle, and appreciate the role of financial accounting in business decision-making. The University of Pennsylvania’s renowned faculty ensures that you get a solid foundation in accounting principles, making this an excellent starting point for beginners.

3. Accounting Analytics

Provider: Coursera (University of Illinois)
Duration: 4 weeks, 5-7 hours per week
Level: Intermediate

For those interested in how accounting interacts with data analytics, this course from the University of Illinois is a must. It explores the application of data analytics in accounting, covering topics like data visualization, regression analysis, and how to use these tools for financial decision-making. This course is ideal for learners who have a basic understanding of accounting and want to enhance their skills with analytical techniques.

4. Financial Accounting Fundamentals

Provider: Coursera (University of Virginia)
Duration: 5 weeks, 5-6 hours per week
Level: Beginner

The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business offers a comprehensive introduction to financial accounting. This course emphasizes the importance of financial information in business decisions, teaching you how to prepare and interpret financial statements. You’ll gain practical knowledge that can be applied in various business contexts, making this course a great choice for aspiring accountants and business professionals alike.

5. Introduction to Financial Accounting

Provider: Great Learning
Duration: 1.5 hours
Level: Beginner

This Financial Accounting course starts with a brief introduction to the fundamentals of financial accounting. It covers the essential financial reports, including the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement, explaining the key components of each and what they reveal about a business. You will analyze sample statements to deepen your understanding. The course then delves into the concept of Financial Ratios, explaining their purpose and highlighting the key ratios used to analyze financial statements. Complete the quiz at the end to earn a free certificate of completion.

Conclusion

Whether you’re just starting out in accounting or looking to deepen your existing knowledge, these free courses offer valuable insights and practical skills. Each course is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in accounting principles and practices, ensuring you’re well-equipped to handle financial information in a business context. Best of all, you can access these high-quality educational resources without spending a dime. Happy learning!