10 Best Bookkeeping Certification Courses (Free & Paid)

Taking a bookkeeping course online gives students an opportunity to expand their career opportunities in a lucrative field. Bookkeeping courses explore the steps involved in managing company financials and facilitating business growth. They ensure students have what it takes to assist clients with job-ready skills in financial analysis, statement creation, and more.

We reviewed a number of leading courses from the world’s top academies to find the best online bookkeeping courses to suit every student.

10 Top Bookkeeping Certification Courses

1. Intuit Bookkeeping Professional Certificate (Coursera)
2. Bookkeeping for Freelancers (Skillshare)
3. Become a Bookkeeper (LinkedIn Learning)
4. Bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online (Udemy)
5. NACPB Certified Bookkeeper (NACPB)
6. Introduction to Bookkeeping (edX)
7. Bookkeeping (AccountingCoach)
8. Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting (The Open University)
9. How to start a Bookkeeping Business! (Skillshare)
10. Bookkeeper Professional Certificate (Tally)

1. Intuit Bookkeeping Professional Certificate (Coursera)

Created for students looking to get started in the bookkeeping field for the first time, the Intuit Bookkeeping course prepares learners for various jobs in public accounting, government, private industry, and non-profit organizations. It also includes all of the information students need to take the Intuit exam for certified bookkeeping professionals, with hands-on projects and resources.

Who is this for?

The Intuit Bookkeeping professional certificate is designed for detail-oriented individuals passionate about solving client issues. You’ll build a foundation of bookkeeping knowledge and account management, to prepare you for bookkeeping, accounting clerk, and similar roles.

No prior experience is required, and you can learn at your own pace. A series of 4 courses will guide you through all the information you need to become “job ready” in your industry.

What you’ll learn?

This bookkeeping certification is split into four courses, which start by introducing the “basics” of bookkeeping. You’ll learn how to define accounting and the concepts of accounting measurement, discover the day-to-day tasks of a bookkeeper and experiment with the double-entry accounting method. As you progress through the courses, you’ll learn about assets, equities, and liabilities in accounting, and their impact on the profit and loss sheet.

There’s also a comprehensive overview of financial statement analysis, with hands-on projects which teach students how to apply their skills to crucial financial documents. By the time you’re done with the courses, you’ll know how to:

• Summarize common assets and liabilities for businesses
• Outline depreciation expenses for income statements
• Manage and organize transactions for clients
• Compare and contrast different types of equity
• Describe the financial position of a business
• Apply quantitative skills to analyze business health

How much does it cost?

Students can enroll in the Intuit Bookkeeping professional certificate for free as part of an initial trial, or you can subscribe to Coursera for approximately $49 per month for full access to all of the courses available on the site. Financial aid is available for students.

Certificate Review

Read our Intuit Bookkeeping Professional Certificate Review to learn more about this certification.

2. Bookkeeping for Freelancers (Skillshare)

Created with a specific focus on students looking to pursue a freelance career, this bookkeeping course looks at the financial elements of running a company modern entrepreneurs need to be aware of. With this class, separated into 16 projects, beginners learn how to select the right bookkeeping methods for their company, categorize and track expenses, and keep financial documents organized.

Who is this for?

Unlike most bookkeeping courses online, this particular course focuses mostly on managing your own finances as an evolving freelancer. You’ll learn everything you need to know to handle your own cash flow throughout the year as you grow your business. The course is beginner-friendly, with no prior knowledge required, and looks at everything from personal vs business expenses, to hiring vs DIY solutions for your company.

Though this course is mainly intended for entrepreneurs and business owners, it does teach some transferable skills you can use to begin your journey into bookkeeping as a career too.

What you’ll learn?

Throughout a series of 10 classes and 16 projects, the Bookkeeping for Freelancers course introduces everything you need to know to be a successful freelancer. Students gain step-by-step guidance covering the challenges they may face when running their own businesses.

You’ll discover why it’s important to manage your finances consistently throughout the year, and how you can use “single-entry” bookkeeping to your advantage.

By the time you’re done with this intuitive and fast-paced course, you’ll know how to:

• Compare cash vs accrual accounting methods
• Leverage categorization to monitor transactions
• Organize essential documents for tax and other purposes
• Analyze the health of your own business using financial statements
• Access valuable tools for business insights

How much does it cost?

New Skillshare users can access this course for 7 days without spending anything. This should be more than enough time to complete the course, which includes around 40 minutes of content. After your free trial ends, monthly subscriptions start at $13.75 per month.

3. Become a Bookkeeper (LinkedIn Learning)

Delivered by LinkedIn Learning, this bookkeeping course introduces beginners to the concept of starting their own careers in the financial landscape. With 6 items of learning content and around 12 and a half hours of information, this course will help you build a strong foundation in business accounting and finance.

You’ll also learn how to use QuickBooks, create sample company records and files, and earn a certificate of completion.

Who is this for?

The “Become a Bookkeeper” course is intended for beginners planning on starting a new career. With this course, students will gain all of the insights they need to begin a new role in the bookkeeping landscape.

You’ll learn how to master the fundamentals of finance, bookkeeping, and accounting, which you can apply to a range of financial business roles. The transferrable skills taught are excellent for bookkeepers, account managers, and clerk positions.

What you’ll learn?

This bookkeeping course includes 6 sections designed to guide learners through the essential information they need to know about accounting foundations, finance essentials, and running a profitable business. You’ll start by discovering how financial statements are created from ledgers, and learn about the crucial information business leaders need to track.

Each course includes behind-the-scenes insights from industry professionals and hands-on projects where you’ll build your skills in:

• Understanding and managing cash flow for growth
• Using QuickBooks online for tracking financial information
• Becoming more proficient and productive in bookkeeping tasks
• Leveraging advanced bookkeeping techniques
• Tracking and recording tricky sources of income

How much does it cost?

If you’re new to LinkedIn Learning, you can access the service for free for one month. This should be plenty of time to complete the 12 hours and 34 minutes of content included in this course. Following the free trial, you can start learning for $19.99 per month.

4. Bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online (Udemy)

Specifically focused on accounting and bookkeeping via QuickBooks, this Udemy course comes with everything you need to launch your new career. You’ll gain access to a free eBook as part of the course, as well as guidance on how to use all of the essential features of QuickBooks.

There’s a practice test, 6 articles and resources to download, and 4.5 hours of video. You’ll also receive a certificate upon completion of the course.

Who is this for?

If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly bookkeeping course online, this convenient and easy-to-follow option could be the ideal solution.

Designed for professionals planning on using QuickBooks to manage financial statements, the course teaches you everything you need to know about recording expenses, paying employees, and even creating profit & loss statements.

No prior knowledge of bookkeeping or QuickBooks is required.

What you’ll learn?

Through a series of 3-5 minute videos and readings, this bookkeeping course explains the basics of bookkeeping in easy-to-follow and simple language.

You’ll start with an introduction to QuickBooks, and how to choose the right online subscription for your tools. The course leader will walk you through the basics of the QuickBooks dashboard, and explain how to set up a chart of accounts for assets like bank accounts, expenses, and income.

Throughout the courses, you’ll learn how to set up products and services to sell in QuickBooks, and collect money using invoices.

Students also get tips on how to connect bank accounts to their software, use the bank feed, and use payroll to pay contractors. Lessons include an overview of:

• Recording account transfers and journal entries
• Saving time with keyboard shortcuts
• Paying vendors and suppliers, and sending bills
• Monitoring money within the business with financial reports
• Reconciling bank accounts with easy-to-follow instructions

How much does it cost?

This bookkeeping course costs $59.99 and comes with full lifetime access to all of the resources, as well as a certificate of completion. You’ll also have access to a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can request a refund if you’re not happy with the quality of the content.

5. NACPB Certified Bookkeeper (NACPB)

Perhaps one of the most recognizable and well-respected online bookkeeping courses, the NACPB Certified Bookkeeper training is delivered by the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers.

This course is accredited and comes with a certification to share on your resume.

You’ll need to take a pre-assessment test, complete the course, and take a bookkeeping final exam to earn your accreditation. This course also includes 26 continuing professional education credits.

Who is this for?

The NACPB Certified Bookkeeper course is designed for professionals in the financial landscape looking to distinguish themselves from the competition and build credibility.

You don’t need any prior knowledge to get started, as the course will guide you through the fundamentals of bookkeeping and accounting processes, concepts, methods, and procedures. By the time you receive your certification, you’ll be able to apply for any bookkeeping or accounting role.

What you’ll learn?

There are 13 modules included in this course, as well as a range of resources, such as an eTextbook, Pre-assessment test, various quizzes, exercises, and mini practice sets. You’ll also gain access to a selection of on-demand videos, and instructor support.

Throughout the lessons, students will gain an in-depth knowledge of the basics of accounting and bookkeeping. You’ll learn how to analyze business transactions using T accounts. There are also insights into the “General Journal” and “General Ledger” tools used for bookkeeping. By the time you’re done with the course, you should know how to:

• Account for sales, purchases, accounts receivable and payable, and cash payments
• Track payroll computations, payments, and records
• Implement strategies for managing payroll taxes
• Examine accruals, deferrals, and accounting worksheets
• Create financial statements and follow closing procedures

How much does it cost?

The NACPB offers a bundle price for the accounting fundamentals course, certification exam, and certificate. Members of the NACPB can access the bundle for $369, while non-members can order the full bundle for $449. If you want a loose-leaf textbook, this price increases to $408 for a member, and $488 for a non-member.

6. Introduction to Bookkeeping (edX)

This self-paced introduction to bookkeeping course provides students with all of the resources they need to gain a credential in business and finance.

The course is introductory-level, and ideal for beginners, with accreditation from ACCA. The course includes video transcripts in various languages, as well as various downloadable resources.

Who is this for?

This online bookkeeping course is designed for professionals looking to start a new career in bookkeeping. You’ll explore all of the basic components involved in bookkeeping for businesses, and learn how to create crucial financial documents for clients and employers.

There are no prerequisites to begin, and the syllabus breaks each course down into easy-to-follow instructions.

What you’ll learn?

Throughout this simple bookkeeping course, you’ll gain a behind-the-scenes insight into the daily tasks of bookkeepers, and what it takes to support the financial growth of a business. The course starts with an introduction to the basics of business transactions and documentation for various forms of cash flow. There’s also an overview of the duality of transactions and the doubly-entry system.

The course aims to give students all the knowledge they need to track bookkeeping essentials, whether you’re interested in learning about payroll, ledgers, or reconciliations. By the time you’re done learning, you’ll know how to:

• Track and manage banking processes and transactions
• Create payroll strategies and monitor essential information
• Handle ledger accounts as well as sales and purchases
• Deal with bank reconciliations and credit transactions
• Examine trial balance data

How much does it cost?

This course is completely free to take and can be accessed at your own pace. A recommended 6 weeks of study is necessary, with around 5-8 hours of learning per week.

7. Bookkeeping (AccountingCoach)

The AccountingCoach bookkeeping course online breaks all of the basics of bookkeeping and accounting into step-by-step instructions. There’s a handy interface included where students can track their progress through multiple parts of the course. Plus, there are certificates of achievement available once you’ve completed various tests and quizzes.

Who is this for?

This course is designed for would-be bookkeepers looking to start their education in the financial landscape. There are various free “entry-level” modules you can take before starting on more advanced classes. The course guides you through all of the components of becoming a successful bookkeeper, so you can apply for a range of roles connected to financial accounts.

You won’t need any prior knowledge of bookkeeping, but it’s worth taking the free modules before you start on the “Pro” classes.

What you’ll learn?

This course starts with an introduction to the basics of bookkeeping and accounting. You’ll learn about the accrual method, double-entry accounting, general ledger accounts, and more. There’s step-by-step guidance into asset accounts, credits and debts, liability and stockholder equity accounts, and income statement accounts.

Students will also gain a behind-the-scenes look at some of the primary documents they’ll use in the bookkeeping world, such as balance sheets, income sheets, and cash flow statements. As you progress through the courses, you’ll learn how to:

• Manage and understand the various concepts of bookkeeping
• Understand entries and adjustments in account statements
• Record transactions and conduct bank reconciliation
• Create statements of stockholder equity and leverage controls
• Manage the accounting equation, and use accrual accounting

How much does it cost?

The initial components of this course are available to access for free. However, if you want to access the certification and all of the “Pro” courses, you’ll need either a Pro or Pro Plus account. The Pro account is $49 for access to all of the learning resources, while the Pro Plus account is $99 and comes with various certificates of achievement.

8. Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting (The Open University)

The Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting course teaches beginners all about the numerical skills required for managing business transactions. This course covers the fundamental rules bookkeepers use in their day-to-day roles, such as double-entry bookkeeping.

You’ll also learn how to apply different bookkeeping methods to essential business documents.

Who is this for?

This course is designed for beginners who are just getting started in the accounting world. The lessons are broken down into three sections, covering the essential numerical skills required for bookkeeping, double entry and the balance sheet, and profit and loss accounts.

The course will also prepare you for money and business management courses offered by the Open University.

What you’ll learn?

Students get a complete overview of everything they need to know about bookkeeping and accounting in this bookkeeping and accounting course. You’ll start with an introduction to understanding and applying the critical numerical and mathematical skills associated with bookkeeping and accounting, before exploring the relationship between double-entry bookkeeping and the accounting equation.

By the time you’re finished with this course, you should know how to:

• Record transactions in the appropriate ledger accounts
• Use double-entry bookkeeping methodologies
• Balance off-ledger accounts at the end of accounting periods
• Prepare trial balances and balance sheets
• Conduct a profit and loss evaluation

How much does it cost?

This course is free to take and comes with a free statement of participation upon completion. You will need to create a free account to access progress tracking, certification, and all course activities within the lessons.

9. How to start a Bookkeeping Business! (Skillshare)

Intended for specialists looking to start their own business in the bookkeeping world, this certification course provides beginner-level insight into beginning a new side hustle.

Various hands-on class projects are available to test your skills, including workflow checklist templates, credit card authorization forms, new client interview sheets, and more.

Who is this for?

This is a beginner-level course with no prior knowledge required from students. Throughout ten lessons, equaling around 2 hours and 11 minutes of content, students will learn the basics of building their own business in the bookkeeping world.

The step-by-step guidance even includes tips on how to price your services as a bookkeeper.

What you’ll learn?

The lessons included in this bookkeeping course online will walk you through the fundamental aspects of bookkeeping, as well as the tips you need to know to start your own business.

You’ll begin with an overview of business formation, and the steps required to launch a successful company. Following this, students get tips on how to choose the right hardware and software for accounting.

By the time you’re done learning, you’ll know how to:

• Train a team for a bookkeeping business
• Market and advertise your business effectively
• Meet with clients and conduct client interviews
• Price your bookkeeping services and collect payments
• Work from home as a professional bookkeeper.

How much does it cost?

This course is available to access for free as part of the 7-day trial offered by Skillshare. Following your free trial, you can enroll with a monthly subscription for $13.75 per month.

10. Bookkeeper Professional Certificate (Tally)

Featuring all the guidance you need to begin a new career in bookkeeping, this professional booking certification will give you access to in-demand skills to get you job-ready in 4 months.

The course includes a complete overview of how to use Tally software for financial reporting, with insights into a range of business situations.

Who is this for?

This beginner-friendly course is ideal for individuals with no prior experience in the bookkeeping and accounting world. If you plan on using the leading business management software solution from Tally to help with finance, accounting, and taxation, this could be the course for you. Upon completion, you’ll earn a professional certificate from Tally.

What you’ll learn?

This Bookkeeping educational experience starts with a complete insight into everything you need to know about the accounting and bookkeeping world. Students learn how to apply and explain the fundamentals of accounting, using TallyPrime for business management.

You’ll create and maintain charts of accounts, record and maintain accounting transactions, and manage banking payments. There are also tips on security for controlling and protecting data.

By the end of this course, students will know how to:

• Backup and manage company data for financial insights
• Classify inventory, accounts receivable, and accounts payable
• Manage purchase and sales orders
• Generate reports and budgets using TallyPrime
• Apply the concept of goods and services taxes
• Manage business data across companies

How much does it cost?

This course is available to access for free as part of the Coursera free trial lasting 7 days. Alternatively, you can subscribe to Coursera for $49 per month for full access to all of the courses on the website.

Are Bookkeeping Certification Courses Worth it?

Ultimately, bookkeeping certification courses are definitely worthwhile if you’re planning on starting a career in the financial landscape. Credentials help you to stand out to potential employers, so you can earn an average of $45,560 per year as a bookkeeping professional.

There are hundreds of thousands of jobs available to bookkeeping and accounting experts each year, and business leaders will always need support from professionals with financial knowledge.

Earning a certification will require you to invest plenty of time and effort into your study, but with the certifications above, you’ll be able to:

• Build foundational knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting concepts
• Work with different steps of the accounting cycle to create financial statements
• Interpret and analyze financial statements to make better business decisions
• Leverage double-entry bookkeeping systems
• Utilize powerful accounting and bookkeeping solutions online
• Differentiate yourself from potential employers and clients
• Build a new business as a freelance bookkeeper.

Methodology

To help you find the best bookkeeping certificates to take online, we’ve looked at courses prepared by reputable academies and accounting institutions. Our chosen certificates are globally recognized and most importantly they help you build job-ready skills to start a career in the bookkeeping industry.

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