In an increasingly digital world, bookkeeping remains a crucial skill for managing personal or business finances effectively. Whether you’re an aspiring bookkeeper looking to start a new career or a business owner wanting to manage your accounts better, mastering bookkeeping is essential.
Fortunately, numerous online courses offer comprehensive training without the financial burden. This guide highlights the top 5 free online bookkeeping courses available in 2024, each providing a certificate upon completion to enhance your qualifications and boost your resume.
1.OpenLearn University
OpenLearn University provides a wide range of free finance courses, including an 8-hour introductory course titled “Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting.” This course covers the fundamentals of double-entry bookkeeping, illustrating its importance to both the balance sheet and the profit and loss statement. Additional topics include managerial accounting, organizational accounting practices, and essential numerical skills crucial for accountants and bookkeepers.
OpenLearn University caters to diverse learning preferences by offering interactive content, videos, and text-based lessons. Their accounting courses range from 2 to 20 hours and are classified into level 1, level 2, and level 3 for ease of progression. By creating an OpenLearn profile, learners can conveniently monitor their progress, complete quizzes, and earn statements of participation or badges of completion.
2. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The Small Business Administration provides a free, concise 30-minute training course that serves as an introduction to accounting. Upon completing the course, participants receive a personalized PDF certificate of completion from the SBA. Key topics covered in this course include cash flow statements, income statements, and the fundamentals of bookkeeping, such as maintaining accurate financial records.
3. Alison
Alison hosts a variety of free accounting and bookkeeping video training courses, covering topics such as sales and purchases, the basics of accounting, payroll fundamentals, and accounting software. While obtaining a digital certificate comes with a small fee of around $25, students can freely share their learner records or learner achievement verifications to demonstrate course completion and assessment success.
This can be particularly useful for showcasing accomplishments on professional platforms like LinkedIn. However, the free version of Alison does come with advertisements; upgrading to an ad-free experience is available for under $100.
4. AccountingCoach
AccountingCoach brings a wealth of self-directed courses designed to impart the essentials of bookkeeping and deepen your grasp of pivotal accounting principles. Managed by Harold Averkamp, a seasoned accounting educator, the site is celebrated for demystifying intricate topics. One standout aspect of AccountingCoach is its easily navigable search bar, which facilitates the swift discovery of specific subjects. The platform extends both free and premium offerings. The no-cost version grants users access to text-based lessons and quizzes to reinforce their learning.
For learners desiring an enriched experience, a one-off payment of $49 or $99 unlocks lifetime access to an extensive array of resources, including 27 instructional videos on bookkeeping fundamentals and financial statements, alongside visual tutorials.
5. edX Courses
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) collaborates with edX to offer several free bookkeeping courses. One notable example is the “Introduction to Bookkeeping” course, which takes approximately 30-48 hours to complete.
While the course provides a suggested timeline to help pace your learning, it maintains flexibility, allowing you to adjust due dates to better suit your schedule. However, it is important to note that despite being self-paced, the course has specific end dates. After these dates, the discussion boards become inactive, some links may expire, and upgrading to earn a certificate will no longer be possible.
The “Introduction to Bookkeeping” course on edX aims to build confidence in double-entry accounting principles. The curriculum covers essential topics such as the trial balance, different types of business transactions, and ledger accounts. Once you complete this introductory course, you can progress to the free intermediate bookkeeping course, where you’ll learn about reconciling control accounts and managing the cashbook.
In addition to these courses, ACCA offers a range of free quizzes tailored to evaluate your fundamental math skills, which are integral to successful bookkeeping and accounting. Additionally, they have general knowledge quizzes designed to aid in preparing for the ACCA exams.
However, to receive a certificate for these courses, one must register as an ACCA student. This registration costs approximately $150 annually, along with test fees of around $100. Some exams are held in person, while others can be taken online.
Conclusion
Exploring free online resources for learning accounting and bookkeeping can significantly enhance your skill set without straining your budget. Whether you opt for in-depth courses from OpenLearn University, concise training from the Small Business Administration, or specialized topics through platforms like Alison and AccountingCoach, there’s a wealth of knowledge available at your fingertips.
EdX’s partnership with ACCA further enriches the landscape with structured courses that accommodate varied schedules. These platforms not only equip you with crucial accounting principles but also offer certifications that can bolster your resume and career prospects. By taking advantage of these opportunities, you can build a robust foundation in accounting and bookkeeping, positioning yourself for success in the financial realm.