Top 10 Free Online Courses in Bookkeeping in 2022

You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for some of the best online bookkeeping courses and training in 2022. Every business needs to know how to keep track of its finances to stay organized and professional. These same abilities can be applied to assisting you in organizing your personal finances. Perhaps you have basic accounting experience or a natural ability to read financial statements, or you naturally organize your personal budget in Microsoft Excel. A career in bookkeeping might be a good fit for you.

All businesses need to keep track of their finances. As a result, I’ve compiled a list of the best bookkeeping classes to assist you in finding a new job or better organizing your finances for your own household or new small business. To work as an entry-level bookkeeper, you don’t need a master’s degree in financial accounting. You might be looking for some pointers on improving your skills or getting a bookkeeping certificate. My top picks are listed below. Some of these classes are completely free. Let’s get started!

Free Online Courses in Bookkeeping

What Does a Bookkeeper Actually Do?

Many people considering online bookkeeping courses may wonder what it means to be a bookkeeper in today’s world, given how much has changed. Even if your specific responsibilities differ, bookkeeping is no longer a one-size-fits-all activity. Despite the use of technology such as applications, a bookkeeper is still required to assess and apply data. Two of the most common uses of collected data in bookkeeping are assisting the organization in achieving its goals and preparing direct financial statements.

Top 10 Online Bookkeeping Courses, Training, and Certifications

1. Beginner Bookkeeping: How to Handle Your Finances (Skillshare)

This course might be right for you if you want to improve your bookkeeping skills. While the classes are geared toward freelancers, I’ve found that those looking to advance their careers will benefit from this course as well. I also appreciate this course because students of any skill level can benefit from it. Personal vs. business expenses, single-entry bookkeeping, accrual accounting, transaction categorization, and many other modules are included. 

This course is delivered through Skillshare, which allows students to learn at their own pace. Emily Simcox, a trainer for the bookkeeping firm Bench, is the course’s instructor. Emily has a wealth of practical work experience, which shows in the high quality of her instruction. Overall, this is without a doubt one of the best online bookkeeping courses available! 3,800 students also back up this claim. Skillshare also offers a free one-month trial, so users can sign up right now and take this course for free! It comes highly recommended!

2. Bookkeeping Boot Camp: Identifying Business Expenses (Skillshare)

This is part of a group of separate courses known as Bookkeeping Boot Camp, which is also from SkillShare. This is the first of five courses, and it includes 40 minutes of on-demand video instruction covering a variety of topics. Michelle Cornish, a professional teacher and author with years of experience as a CPA, is the instructor for the course. Michelle uses her experience to walk students through real-life scenarios to help them understand accounting concepts. Identifying business expenses/income and knowing how to treat them properly in your ledgers are some of the topics covered in this course.

Differences in income, assets, liabilities, equity and expenses are also covered. This bookkeeping course will teach you how to analyze your financial records and properly categorize your payables and receivables. Overall, I think this course is excellent for those who want to learn more about bookkeeping. A one-month trial is also available for users to try this course for free!

3. Fundamentals of Accounting & Bookkeeping (Udemy)

The next program on my list is a fantastic bookkeeping course hosted on the popular Udemy platform. LetsTute instructors deliver in-depth content that covers the fundamentals of learning Bookkeeping in this course. There are just over 2 hours of on-demand video content available for students to watch at their leisure. Accounting fundamentals, classifications of the types of financial transactions and how they relate to one another, and debit and credit rules are among the topics covered in these beginner-level classes. 

There are 15 bite-sized video modules in each class, as well as five documents to download. There is an optional final quiz, and students will receive a certificate of completion once they have completed it. Join over 2,300 other students who have completed this course and given it a 4.8 out of 5-star rating! You can’t go wrong with this!

4. Accounting Foundations: Bookkeeping (LinkedIn Learning)

Moving on to my next pick, a premium course hosted on LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda) that 150,073 people have completed. It doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to the instructors’ experience teaching accounting courses and their bookkeeping knowledge. James Stice, PhD, is a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Accounting at Brigham Young University’s School of Accountancy. He also holds accounting bachelor’s and master’s degrees. PricewaterhouseCoopers Professor of Accounting at the BYU Marriott School of Management is Earl K. Stice, PhD.

ALSO CHECK OUT:  Top 10 Free GED Prep Courses and Classes in 2022

These professors’ combined experience provides years of insight into accounting principles and real-world examples. Analyzing transactions, recording and summarizing the effects, and then preparing financial reports are some of the modules covered in this online bookkeeping course. They also detail revenue, expenses, and the accounting cycle. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy offers continuing education credit for this course (NASBA). When students sign up for a 1-month free trial on LinkedIn Learning, they gain access to this course as well as 14,000+ others. Those who complete the classes will also receive a certificate of completion!

5. Bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online (Udemy)

This course may be a good fit for you if you want to learn how to use QuickBooks online to its full potential. Mastering accounting software can help you advance your career. This is one of the most popular online bookkeeping courses on Udemy. The course covers how to record expenses, generate profit and loss statements, and generate other reports using Quickbooks Online. Calvin K. Lee, MBA, CPA, CA, CPA, is the instructor. Over 77,000 students have taken his courses, and he has a passion for teaching. 

He has worked as a consultant for several Fortune 500 companies and is a professor at York University’s Schulich School of Business, one of Canada’s top MBA programs. Students praise his ability to explain accounting concepts in a clear and straightforward manner.

6. Introduction To Bookkeeping (edX)

edX is an online educational center founded by Harvard and MIT that offers short-term and long-term courses in various fields. This self-paced bookkeeping course typically takes students 4 to 6 weeks to complete. So, if you’re interested in starting a career in bookkeeping, this class is a great place to start! This course’s classes go over banking systems, business transactions, reconciliation methods, and payroll in greater detail than shorter studies. 

This bookkeeping course also helps students prepare for the FA1 exam as a bonus. The course is taught by the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), a non-profit organization that was founded in 1904 to provide financial education. While this course is labeled as an introductory course, it is also beneficial to experienced bookkeepers. Overall, this is one of the best online bookkeeping courses available for those seeking ACCA accreditation.

7. Bookkeeping Basics #1: Understand the Fundamentals (Udemy)

The next item on my list is a fantastic Udemy bookkeeping course. This course, taught by Ron Trucks, a college Business Management instructor, covers the fundamentals of bookkeeping and beyond. The course is divided into about 50 different on-demand videos and includes various charts, graphs, and other printed material to keep. The entire course lasts about 4 12 hours and is self-paced to meet the users’ needs. Some of the more interesting parts of the instruction are common catchphrases that let others know exactly what you’re talking about when discussing the details of your transactions.

The 5 Ws of bookkeeping, properly invoice others, keep track of your expenditures, and avoiding some of the most common financial mistakes made by business owners and freelancers are among the other modules included. If you hire outside help, taking this class will allow you to have more discussions with your own accountants or bookkeepers.

8. Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting (Open.edu)

Hundreds of classes and courses in business, art, and science are available on OpenLearn. OpenLearn is even available via streaming services on some TV channels. The duration of their Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting is approximately 8 hours. You can take the class at your own pace because it is an on-demand video. Working professionals and other highly qualified instructors teach it. Because it is an introductory course, it is classified as a beginner’s course. It goes above and beyond basic information by providing more detailed instructions. 

It teaches ledger entry, profit and loss, and how to create a balance sheet, starting with basic numerical skills. Your entire course can be downloaded to a Kindle or other device, and you will receive a certificate of completion.

9. Bookkeeping -Step by Step Mastery (Udemy)

Dealing with VAT for European Union businesspeople is a part of this training. Basic ledger entry, sales books, daily reports, year-end reports, and other education needed for proper profit and loss accounting are among the other topics covered. Jafar Iqbal, a chartered accountant with many years of experience, is the instructor. His knowledge includes what is required to conduct business in the EU and the United Kingdom. There are ten resources to download, and students receive a certificate of completion. A newly added class has over a thousand students already enrolled.

ALSO CHECK OUT:  Top 10 Free Online Courses in Archeology with Certificates in 2022

10. Intuit Bookkeeping Professional Certificate (Coursera)

If you want to become a certified bookkeeper, this course could be a good place to start. There is no requirement for prior experience (although strong math and organizational skills are recommended). Students will be prepared to take the Intuit Certified Bookkeeping Professional exam after completing this course. Importantly, students who earn this certification will be eligible to work as a bookkeeper at Intuit QuickBooks Live or anywhere else in the industry.

Students will review and reconcile data for various types of businesses to ensure that they can apply everything they’ve learned. This certificate program is a fantastic way to progress from beginner to earning a certificate of completion, passing an exam, and being well-prepared for a career in accounting. All of this work can also be done at your own pace.

Is It Worthwhile to Obtain a Certificate in Bookkeeping?

In the vast majority of cases, you’re more concerned with obtaining a credential than with obtaining a degree. Even if you’ve taken the best courses, the best certificate programs may not be enough to make you a competitive bookkeeper. The best option is to have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as accounting or business. Any other experience you can get, in addition to internships, is beneficial. The best programs will guarantee that you will be certified once you have completed the coursework. A certificate in bookkeeping is a good place to start, but it isn’t the only option.

Other Online Bookkeeping Classes for 2022

1. Bookkeeping Training Program by Penn Foster College

Being a bookkeeper is as easy as 1, 2, and 3 with Penn Foster College’s five-month online bookkeeping diploma program. You can pay for your online bookkeeping program however you want with Penn Foster’s flexible pricing options. The program’s cost could range from $749 for full payment to $899 per month. Those who qualify may be able to pay as little as $49 per month. The self-paced bookkeeping program from Penn Foster consists of eight online courses that you can complete at your own pace. Each subject’s lessons are broken down into manageable chunks.

You’ll also get access to resources that will help you plan your strategy, organize your studies, and track your progress. This could help you finish the course in a reasonable amount of time. We’ve discovered an online bookkeeping course that allows students, teachers, and the student services department to interact for the first time. This is a good option for those who want to know that help is only a phone call or email away. If your state requires additional certifications or licenses in addition to this diploma, check with them to see if this one will suffice.

2. Bookkeeper Launch by bookkeepers.com

This organization provides all of the necessary resources and training materials to help you get started in the bookkeeping industry. Bookkeeper Launch, by far their best product, goes much further than any other online course in the field. They teach you not only how to be a bookkeeper, but also how to recruit clients and run a successful business. You and two of your coworkers will also have access to an exclusive online network where you can network with other industry professionals and share tips and tricks.

If you don’t want to go overboard, other courses on this site have similar features. Video tutorials and one-on-one consultations with your professors are included in the Bookkeeper Lab package. Alternative packages include lessons on starting a business from the ground up and finding new customers.

3. Bookkeeping Training by AccountingCoach LLC

The best part about AccountingCoach, LLC is that it offers students the chance to learn basic bookkeeping skills for free. In addition to the free courses, the organization offers paid courses ranging from $49 to $99. You can further your education by purchasing additional study materials and certifications for a relatively low cost. AccountingCoach, LLC is a web-based instructional platform for accountants founded by Harold Averkamp in 2003. In addition to being a CPA, Averkamp also has an MBA and has worked in the accounting industry for over two decades. 

The organization offers a wide range of accounting courses, which is why it ranks first on our list of the best free accounting courses. You can also take a different approach to studying by using free practice tests and puzzles. Students who want to improve their educational experience can choose between two paid options. PRO Access, which costs $49 per year, includes additional video courses, fast exams, business forms, and more. The service includes access to flashcards and tests, as well as coaching. PRO Plus adds all of the features of PRO Access plus certificates of achievement for debits and credits, adjusting entries, financial statements, balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, payroll, and many other areas of the software for an additional $99 fee. Students who pay the $49 or $99 fees will have lifetime access to all course materials.

ALSO CHECK OUT:  Top 20 Online 2D Animation Courses In 2021

4. Professional Bookkeeping Certification by illumeo

CPAs who have years of experience working with financial reporting created Illumeo’s bookkeeping program. Professionals with real-world experience in large and small businesses will teach your bookkeeping classes, so you can be confident in what you learn. The Illumeo Professional Bookkeeping Certification Program can be used to obtain a certificate in professional bookkeeping. Each course focuses on a different aspect of bookkeeping skills and includes examples from real-life situations. Five to seven video lectures, a few text materials, a practice quiz, and the final exam are included in these more specialized seminars.

It isn’t the most comprehensive financial accounting or bookkeeping program available, but it does a fantastic job of teaching you the fundamentals without being overwhelming. Illumeo’s comprehensive bookkeeping package is only $499, making it a fantastic value. You will have access for a year to complete the course and receive your certification. If you plan ahead and stick to your schedule, you should be able to complete your coursework quickly. When it’s all said and done, you’ll be charged $399 if you don’t finish within the deadline. Illumeo’s virtual bookkeeping training program is excellent and reasonably priced. If you’re looking for a faster way to get your bookkeeping certification, try this method.

Conclusion

A bookkeeping course can be beneficial if you want to pursue a career in the field, but it’s also beneficial if you just want to keep track of the books for your small business or yourself. The time commitment and level of detail covered in online courses vary, but they should all help you get started and improve your skills in managing taxes, budgets, and personal finances. To help you learn the ins and outs of the profession, we looked at over 30 different online bookkeeping courses and chose the best bookkeeping classes based on content, price, third-party ratings, and user experience.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Some Fundamental Bookkeeping Skills?

Knowing math, being tech-savvy (as most tasks are now computerized), and paying close attention to details are all essential skills for a successful bookkeeper, as you will be surrounded by numbers and financial reports all day. Employers are generally looking for someone who can keep their financial records in order, document all of their key transactions, manage invoices, and enter data accurately.

What Is Involved in a Bookkeeping Course?

A bookkeeping class will provide you with a thorough understanding of the fundamental functions and concepts of bookkeeping, such as financial statements and journal entries, as well as how to record expenses, profits, revenues, losses, and other important information. Some even teach you how to use popular bookkeeping software and provide bookkeeping certifications upon completion of the course. Whether the classes are designed to help someone start a career or simply keep track of their small business finances, the level of detail and length of the course will vary.

Is a Bookkeeping Certification Required?

While certification is not required to work as a bookkeeper in most companies, it does help if you want to start a career in accounting and want to be considered for high-paying positions. One way to demonstrate your expertise and qualifications is to obtain your bookkeeping certification from one of the two main nationally recognized certifying bodies, the National Association of Certified Bookkeepers or the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.

What Should You Expect to Pay for Bookkeeping Classes?

The cost of taking a bookkeeping course is determined by the type of course you select. If you enroll in an online learning platform with a free trial or free course materials, the classes listed here start at $0 and go up from there. Alternatively, if you enroll in a class at a traditional education institution like a college or university, the cost will be close to $1,000.

READ ALSO: Free Accredited High School Diploma Online for Adults

COPYRIGHT WARNING! Contents on this website may not be republished, reproduced, redistributed either in whole or in part without due permission or acknowledgment. All contents are protected by DMCA.

The content on this site is posted with good intentions. If you own this content & believe your copyright was violated or infringed, make sure you contact us at [xscholarshipc(@)gmail(dot)com] and actions will be taken immediately.

Photo of author

Martin Uwakwe

As an SEO Strategist, Web Analytics Expert, and Content Developer with over 7 years of experience, I'm passionate about leveraging data-driven insights to optimize online visibility, drive organic traffic, and boost search rankings. My track record includes successfully optimizing and analyzing hundreds of e-commerce websites, managing multi-million-dollar marketing budgets for maximum ROI, and crafting engaging content that resonates with audiences. With proficiency in SEO, data analysis, web optimization tools, and content creation, I'm dedicated to helping businesses thrive in the digital landscape.