Online Accounting Courses on Coursera

Discover accounting courses that focus on financial reporting, auditing, and tax preparation. These courses help you build essential skills for careers in accounting, financial analysis, and bookkeeping.

Why Take an Online Accounting Course?

Accounting is a crucial skill in business, and online courses make learning flexible and accessible. Whether you’re an aspiring accountant, a small business owner, or looking to boost your financial knowledge, these courses provide valuable insights. Coursera offers courses from top universities and institutions, allowing you to learn from industry experts at your own pace.

8 Best Accounting Courses on Coursera

1. Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization

Learn the basics of finance and accounting while building a strong foundation of core business skills.

• Instructor: Michael R. Roberts

• Rating: 4.4⭐ (2,312 reviews)

• Experience Needed: Beginner level

• Duration: 1 month (at least 10 hours a week)

• Flexible Schedule: Learn at your own pace

What You’ll Learn

• Discounting and compounding cash flows to value different claims and make better financial decisions

• The distinction between NPV and Internal Rate of Return (IRR).

• The categorisation of cash flows into operating, investing, and financing activities.

• How corporations account for investments in debt and equity instruments.

Skills You’ll Gain

• Financial Accounting

• Accounting

• Decision-Making

• Corporate Finance

• Financial Statement Analysis

2. Accounting: Principles of Financial Accounting

Gain a solid foundation in financial accounting with this beginner-friendly course.

• Instructor: Marc Badia

• Rating: 4.8⭐ (3,133 reviews)

• Experience Needed: No prior experience required

• Duration: Approx. 12 hours

• Flexible Schedule: Learn at your own pace

• Learner Satisfaction: 97% of learners liked this course

Skills You’ll Gain

• Financial Accounting

• Accounting

• Financial Statement Analysis

• Balance Sheet Interpretation

Offered by: IESE Business School

3. Intuit Academy Bookkeeping Professional Certificate

Launch your career in bookkeeping with this comprehensive certification course.

• Instructor: Intuit Academy Team

• Rating: 4.6⭐ (6,588 reviews)

• Experience Needed: Beginner level

• Duration: 2 months (at 10 hours a week)

• Flexible Schedule: Learn at your own pace

What You’ll Learn

• Basic bookkeeping concepts and accounting measurement

• The accounting cycle and how to produce key financial statements

• Interpreting and analyzing financial statements for business decisions

Skills You’ll Gain

• Double-Entry Bookkeeping System

• Bookkeeping Principles

• Bank Reconciliations

• Accounting Concepts and Measurement

Offered by: Intuit

4. Fundamentals of Accounting Specialization

Learn essential accounting principles to support business decisions and financial goals.

• Instructor: Gary Hecht, Ph.D.

• Rating: 4.6⭐ (1,095 reviews)

• Experience Needed: No prior experience required

• Duration: 2 months (at 9 hours a week)

• Flexible Schedule: Learn at your own pace

Skills You’ll Gain

• Income Statement Analysis

• Cost Accounting

• Financial Statement Preparation

• Balance Sheet Understanding

Offered by: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

5. Financial Accounting Fundamentals

Master the core principles of financial accounting in this highly rated course.

• Instructor: Luann J. Lynch

• Rating: 4.8⭐ (2,711 reviews)

• Experience Needed: Beginner level

• Duration: Approx. 13 hours

• Flexible Schedule: Learn at your own pace

• Learner Satisfaction: 97% of learners liked this course

What You’ll Learn

• Recording transactions using journal entries and T-accounts

• Understanding the three most commonly used financial statements

• Preparing financial statements and analyzing a company’s financial health

Skills You’ll Gain

• Financial Accounting

• Accounting Concepts

Financial Statement Analysis

• Balance Sheet Interpretation

Offered by: University of Virginia

6. Bookkeeping Basics

Learn the foundational principles of bookkeeping, including ethics and best practices.

• Instructor: Intuit Academy Team

• Rating: 4.6⭐ (5,593 reviews)

• Experience Needed: Beginner level

• Duration: Approx. 16 hours

• Flexible Schedule: Learn at your own pace

• Learner Satisfaction: 92% of learners liked this course

What You’ll Learn

• The fundamentals of accounting and bookkeeping

• Responsibilities of a bookkeeper and ethical considerations

• The double-entry accounting method and its application

Skills You’ll Gain

• Double-Entry Bookkeeping System

• Accounting Cycle Management

• Creating Financial Statements

• Accounting Software Basics

Offered by: Intuit

7. Financial Accounting: Foundations

Understand the role of accounting in business and financial decision-making.

• Instructor: Oktay Urcan

• Rating: 4.7⭐ (4,486 reviews)

• Experience Needed: No prior experience required

• Duration: Approx. 12 hours

• Flexible Schedule: Learn at your own pace

• Learner Satisfaction: 97% of learners liked this course

What You’ll Learn

• How capital market participants use accounting information

• Recording financial data and producing financial statements

• Revenue recognition criteria and accounting for short-term assets

Skills You’ll Gain

• Financial Accounting

• Accounting Accruals

• Financial Statement Analysis

Offered by: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

8. Accounting 1

A comprehensive introduction to financial accounting concepts and analysis.

• Instructor: Prof. Garen Markarian

• Rating: 4.8⭐ (81 reviews)

• Experience Needed: Beginner level

• Duration: 21 hours (3 weeks at 7 hours a week)

• Flexible Schedule: Learn at your own pace

What You’ll Learn

• Understanding financial accounting mechanics

• The structure and function of key financial statements

• Performing financial statement analysis for profitability, liquidity, and solvency

• Accounting rules for recognizing and measuring transactions

Skills You’ll Gain

• Financial Accounting

• Financial Statement Analysis

• Income Statement Preparation

• Cash Flow Management

• Balance Sheet Interpretation

Offered by: University of Lausanne

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• Article source:https://www.coursera.org

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

CONCLUSION

Online accounting courses offer a flexible and effective way to gain financial expertise. Whether you want to start a career in accounting or enhance your business skills, these Coursera courses provide valuable knowledge from top universities. Choose the one that best fits your goals and start learning today!