Free accounting courses online with certificate [Updated 2022]

Freelancingbuddy.com brings you the best free accounting courses online with certificate

In this world of cut-throat competition, having a good grasp of the numbers will ensure that you are always ahead of the pack (even when it comes to seeking a pay rise or greener pastures).

And while many online educational providers will charge a fee to access their programs, there are a few exceptions.

Below we have compiled a list of universities and other educational institutions offering free accounting courses online with certificate.

These courses are handy for a variety of people- from a business owner looking to upgrade his/her business finance knowledge to students seeking to add finance skills in his/her C.V (or even LinkedIn Profile) and everyone in between.

Read to the end.

 

Best Free accounting courses online with certificate (11 best free online accounting courses)

The following are the most sought-after free online finance courses with certificates that will help you jumpstart your accounting career or accelerate your climb without paying a dime.

1.     Financial Accounting- University of Maryland (offered via edX)

This is an impactful free online course offered by the University of Maryland that offers world-class training to participants.

This course requires you to set aside about 10 hours of your time every week.

You will learn how to interpret financial information, make informed decisions based on financial statements, and effectively communicate with managers, investors, creditors and other stakeholders in the business.

It will take you 7 weeks to complete this course after which you will be issued with a verified certificate.

Please note that you may be asked to pay a token for the certificate.

Click here for more course details.

 

2.     Financial Accounting Fundamentals- the University of Virginia via coursera

This is one of the best online accounting courses with certificates and is delivered by the University of Virginia via courser.

This course- it takes about 5 weeks to complete- has been appropriately designed for starters keen to learn the fundamentals of FA (financial accounting) and previous knowledge in accounting is not mandatory.

Teaching is conducted through videos, sample financial statements, and practical activities that enable you to create common financial statements including an income statement, cash flow statement, and a balance sheet for an accounting period.

You will also learn how to use financial statements to make conclusions on the financial wellbeing of a business.

You’re awarded a certificate upon completion.

Click here for more course details.

 

3.     Financial Accounting: Advanced Topics- the University of Illinois

This free online course is offered by the University of Illinois again via Coursera and takes 4 weeks to complete.

What we love most about this course is that you’ll have the rare chance of learning from accounting gurus who have years of experience as practicing accountants.

Here you’re taught advanced financial accounting topics including accounting for fixed assets, how to account for liabilities, and many more.

You also gain skills in exploring shareholders’ equity and carrying out a critical evaluation of cash flow statements.

Click here for more course details.

4.     Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting- The Open University

This is one of the 100% free accounting courses online with certificate (statement of participation).

In this course, you will learn the essential skills used in day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping work.

From the principles of double-entry accounting to preparing the financials (profit and loss statement, the balance sheet, and the trial balance), this course covers everything and in great depth.

Click here for more course details.

 

5.     Introduction to Financial Accounting- University of Pennsylvania

This free course is offered by the University of Pennsylvania (still via Coursera) and takes 4 weeks to complete.

This online course will equip you with technical skills that are necessary for analyzing financial statements (income statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet) and the impact of accounting standards on financial reporting.

By the end of this course, you will be able to read and understand the common financial statements as well as use the gained skills in a real business environment.

Click here for more course details.

 

6.     Business Accounting Basics- Purdue University (learn accounting step by step free)

This is a 5 weeks free online course featured by Purdue University aimed at helping you to understand accounting basics and provide you with important financial tools to understand businesses.

This course also takes you through the accounting cycles that make up each financial statement.

Here you will also learn the key accounting terminology and concepts, the basics of drawing up an income statement, statement of retained earnings, cash flow statement and the balance sheet.

As the University of Maryland program, this is offered through edX and you may be required to pay a few dollars for the certificate.

Click here for more course details.

 

7.     Formal Financial Accounting- University of Illinois

This is a free intermediate course (Via Coursera) designed for those with foundational accounting knowledge.

Here is a summary of what you will cover :

  • Introduction to Accounting Terminologies
  • Accounting for Assets
  • Accounting for Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity
  • Applications of Financial Accounting concepts in businesses

It will take you about 6 hours to cover the syllabus.

Keep in mind that even though learning is free, the certificate is purchased.

Click here for more course details.

 

8.     Accounting: Principles of Financial Accounting- IESE Business School

If you are running your own business, employed as a manager, or simply want to start a career in accounting, this is a good place to start.

After undertaking this course, you will be able to prepare and interpret the income statement, cash flow statement, and the balance sheet to allow decision making

Plus, this helps you to understand and interpret financial information and deliver this information to financial controllers and managers.

Enroll for free here.

9.     Financial accounting and reporting- Open University

This is the second free online accounting course (with certificate) by the Open University.

Here are the course’s specific objectives to help you decide if it’s worth your time:

  • Define accounting and bookkeeping
  • Explain the functions (and general purposes) of accounting
  • Distinguish between financial and manage-ment accounting
  • Describe the financial accounting concepts like assets, liabilities, expenses, and revenue.
  • Identify the key financial statements plus their purposes.

Check it out here.

 

10.  Saylor Free Introduction to Financial Accounting course

Saylor.org has a brilliant introductory accounting course but you can only get the free Course Completion Certificate after by scoring 70% or higher.

The good news is that you can re-take the exam after a 7-days waiting period if you failed the first time.

View the course details here.

11. Alison Free accounting courses online with certificate

Alison has free accounting short courses online for both starter and pros but again, you’ll need to pay for the certificate.

In addition, you must pass every lower level to progress to the next level in the course.

 

Final thoughts

Always read the course description deeply to find out if it meets your needs before enrolling.

Also, understand who the course is designed for since some courses in our list of accounting courses are meant for individuals with prior experience (but we have included great accounting courses for beginners).

You don’t want to end up with a course that doesn’t match your skills.

If you have already found your course from the above free accounting courses online with certificate ,go ahead and apply via the link.

ALSO READ:

Free online bookkeeping courses with certificates [updated list]

Online accounting jobs for students: Sites that hire

 

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