Take Control of Your Career: Best Accounting Online Courses

Exploring Accounting Education

Why Accounting Skills Matter

Accounting is all about keeping tabs on your money—what comes in, what goes out, and making sense of tax rules where you live. Accountants are the unsung heroes in any business, often advising the big bosses on spending and budgeting (Udemy). Whether you’re just starting out or looking to up your game, a good grip on accounting basics is a game-changer. Knowing how to read financial statements, manage budgets, and navigate tax laws can open doors to various career paths and make you a rockstar in any company.

Here’s why accounting skills are a big deal:

• Money Management: Helps you handle your own and your business’s finances like a pro.
• Career Boost: Opens doors in multiple industries.
• Business Savvy: Key for planning and making smart decisions.
• Staying Legal: Keeps you on the right side of tax laws and financial rules.

Online Accounting Courses

Thanks to the internet, learning accounting has never been easier. Online courses offer a flexible way to pick up accounting skills. Platforms like Udemy have a ton of classes to help you hit your financial goals. These courses cover everything from the basics to advanced stuff, so there’s something for everyone.

Common questions these courses tackle:

• What is accounting?
• What are the different types of accounting?
• Should I become an accountant?
• What is a certified public accountant (CPA)?
• What’s the difference between accrual and cash basis accounting?
• What are the three financial statements and why do they matter?
• What is inventory accounting and what methods are used?
• How do IFRS and GAAP differ?

If you’re aiming for a professional qualification, the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) has you covered with online courses. The AAT qualification has three levels: foundation, advanced, and professional, and takes about a year to complete. This qualification is well-respected, with over 120,000 certified pros. AAT courses are flexible, letting you learn at your own pace and boost your career.

Course Type	Duration	Topics Covered
Basic Accounting	Varies	Intro to Accounting, Financial Statements
Intermediate Accounting	Varies	Accrual vs. Cash Basis, Inventory Accounting
Advanced Accounting	Varies	IFRS vs. GAAP, Advanced Financial Analysis
AAT Qualification	~1 Year	Foundation, Advanced, Professional Levels

For more details on courses, check out our pages on accounting courses and accounting degree online.

Picking the right online accounting courses can help you take charge of your career and gain the skills you need to shine in the accounting field. For more tips and resources, don’t miss our articles on accounting principles and accounting standards.

Picking the Right Accounting Program

Choosing the right accounting program can make or break your career in finance. Let’s break down two popular options: the MBA in Accounting and the AAT Qualification.

MBA in Accounting

An MBA in Accounting isn’t just a fancy title; it’s a powerhouse program that arms you with top-tier skills in accounting and business management. You’ll dive into financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and strategic management.

Cost

The price tag for an MBA in Accounting can swing wildly depending on where you go. According to Forbes, the average total cost of an MBA was $56,850 as of February 2024. This includes tuition, fees, living costs, healthcare, and school materials. Check out these examples:

• Harvard Business School: $74,910 per year
• Appalachian State University: $9,800 per year (in-state learners)

Work Experience

Applicants to top online MBA programs usually have between six and ten years of work experience.

Institution	Annual Tuition (USD)	Total Cost (USD)
Harvard Business School	74,910	149,820
Appalachian State University	9,800	19,600
Indiana University (Kelley) – Traditional	81,400	162,800
Indiana University (Kelley) – Online		94,944

Job Prospects

Full-time MBA grads often land new jobs with higher starting salaries, while online MBA grads usually aim for promotions in their current roles (Fortune).

For more info on accounting qualifications, check out our section on accounting degrees.

AAT Qualification Overview

The AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Qualification is a solid choice for those wanting to kickstart or boost their career in accountancy. It offers practical, real-world skills that employers love.

Structure

The AAT Qualification has three levels:

• Foundation Certificate: Basic accounting principles and techniques
• Advanced Diploma: More complex tasks like final accounts prep and indirect tax
• Professional Diploma: Advanced tasks including management accounting and auditing

Duration and Cost

The time and money you’ll spend on the AAT Qualification depend on the level and how you study (full-time, part-time, or online). On average, it takes 6 months to 3 years to finish all levels.

Level	Duration (Months)	Average Cost (GBP)
Foundation Certificate	6 – 12	500 – 900
Advanced Diploma	12 – 18	800 – 1,200
Professional Diploma	18 – 36	1,200 – 2,000

Job Prospects

The AAT Qualification is well-respected and can lead to roles like accounts assistant, payroll supervisor, and assistant accountant.

For more details, visit our page on accounting certifications.

By understanding the differences between an MBA in Accounting and the AAT Qualification, you can make a smart choice that fits your career goals and needs.

Why Online Learning Rocks

Online learning is a game-changer, especially for folks diving into accounting and finance. Let’s break down two big perks: flexibility and convenience, and saving money.

Flexibility and Convenience

One of the coolest things about online learning is how flexible and convenient it is. You can study whenever you want, whether you’re a morning person or a night owl. This makes it super easy to juggle school with work, family, or whatever else you’ve got going on.

In 2022, over half of college students took at least one online class. That’s about 10 million students (Forbes). This shows just how popular online learning has become.

Year	Students Taking Online Classes
2013-2014	31%
2018-2019	53.5%
2022	50%+

In Fall 2022, more than 1 in 4 college students went fully online, with 63% sticking to in-state colleges and 33% choosing schools in other states (Forbes).

Saving Money

Another awesome thing about online learning is how much money you can save. Online courses usually cost less than traditional ones. Plus, you don’t have to worry about commuting, rent, or other campus-related expenses.

Online education has been on the rise since 2013. Back then, about 31% of grad students took online courses. By 2018-19, that number jumped to over 1.7 million students.

Academic Year	Grad Students Taking Online Courses
2013-2014	31%
2018-2019	53.5%

Women are especially into online learning. In 2022, they made up 58.5% of bachelor’s level students and 63.6% of those graduating from online programs (Forbes).

Choosing accounting online courses can give you the flexibility and cost savings you need to boost your skills and career without giving up other parts of your life. For tips on picking the right course, check out our guide on choosing the right course.

Picking the Perfect Online Accounting Course

Choosing the right online accounting course can be a game-changer for your career. Let’s break down what you need to know to make a smart choice.

What to Look For

When you’re on the hunt for an online accounting course, keep these things in mind:

Course Content

Make sure the course covers what you need. Look for topics that match your career goals and offer practical knowledge you can actually use.

Skill Level

Pick a course that fits where you’re at. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, there’s something for everyone. For example, the AAT qualification offers beginner, advanced, and pro levels, so you can find your perfect fit (Future Connect Training).

Duration and Flexibility

Find a course that works with your schedule. Many online courses, like AAT, are designed to be flexible and can be wrapped up in about a year (Future Connect Training).

Cost

Check out the price tag and make sure you’re getting good value. Online courses can be a budget-friendly way to pick up new skills, but you want to make sure it’s worth it.

Career Prospects

Go for courses that are well-known and respected in the industry. AAT courses, for example, are recognized worldwide and can give your career a serious boost (Future Connect Training).

Accreditation and Support

These are biggies when picking an online accounting course:

Accreditation

Make sure the course is accredited by a reputable institution. This means it meets industry standards and is recognized by employers. AAT is one of the largest professional organizations with over 120,000 certified accounting pros (Future Connect Training).

Support

Look for courses that offer solid support. Access to a helpful community, academic resources, and professional networks can make a huge difference in your learning experience.

Level	Duration	Cost-Effectiveness	Accreditation
Foundation	1 year	High	AAT
Advanced	1 year	High	AAT
Professional	1 year	High	AAT

Figures courtesy Future Connect Training

For more on why accreditation and support matter, check out our articles on accounting and accounting standards.

By keeping these factors in mind and ensuring proper accreditation and support, you’ll be well on your way to picking the right online accounting course to boost your career.

Specialized Online Accounting Courses

Looking to level up your accounting game? Specialized online courses are your ticket to mastering the nitty-gritty of accounting and boosting your career. Let’s break down two top-notch courses: Financial Accounting Fundamentals and Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination.

Financial Accounting Fundamentals

Want to nail the basics of financial accounting? The Financial Accounting Fundamentals course from the University of Virginia on Coursera is a solid pick. This course arms you with must-have skills like Account Management, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Finance, and General Accounting (Coursera).

What you’ll learn:

• Account Management
• Financial Analysis
• GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
• Cash Management

This course is a great fit if you’re aiming to get a grip on financial accounting principles and practices. For more on financial accounting concepts, check out our piece on accounting concepts.

Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination

Got a knack for sniffing out fraud? The Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination course from West Virginia University on Coursera is your go-to. This course hones your skills in identifying, investigating, and stopping fraud (Coursera).

What you’ll learn:

• Audit
• Critical Thinking
• Risk Management
• Regulations and Compliance

Perfect for those eyeing a career in forensic accounting or wanting to up their fraud detection game. For more on what forensic accountants do, swing by our article on accounting jobs.

Comparison Table

Here’s a quick look at what each course offers:

Course	Key Skills Developed	Provider
Financial Accounting Fundamentals	Account Management, Financial Analysis, GAAP, Cash Management	University of Virginia
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination	Audit, Critical Thinking, Risk Management, Regulations and Compliance	West Virginia University

Picking the right course can seriously boost your accounting chops and career prospects. Need more tips on choosing the perfect course? Head over to our guide on choosing the right course.

Level Up with Xero

Xero Certification Basics

Getting certified in Xero is a smart move to sharpen your accounting skills and maybe even give your career a nice little bump. This certification is perfect for beginners and can be knocked out in about 6-8 hours of online courses or webinars (LedgerLogic). You might even speed things up with some interactive tutorials and live classes.

The certification process teaches you how to use Xero like a pro, making your accounting tasks a breeze. Plus, having that Xero certification can get you listed in the Xero advisor directory, which is a big deal if you’re a bronze partner or higher.

Learning Resources and Courses

Xero has a bunch of learning tools to help you get the hang of the software, whether you’re just starting out or looking to master advanced features.

Official Tutorials and Webinars: Xero’s got you covered with free tutorials and live webinars. These interactive sessions let you learn from the pros and ask questions on the spot. Finish these up, and you’ll earn certificates that show off your Xero know-how (LedgerLogic).

Classroom Events: If you prefer a more hands-on approach, check out Xero’s live classroom events. These sessions dive deep into the software and give you a chance to learn alongside instructors and fellow students.

Online Learning Materials: For those just getting started, Xero offers free online materials like step-by-step guides, video tutorials, and practice exercises. These resources cover all the basics and more.

Learning Resource	Duration	Cost
Online Courses	6-8 hours	Free
Webinars	1-2 hours per session	Free
Classroom Events	Varies	Free

Using these resources can make learning Xero a lot easier and help you build a solid accounting foundation for your business. For more tips on accounting, check out our articles on accounting software and accounting cycle.

By boosting your skills with Xero, you’ll not only get better at accounting but also earn some serious street cred in the field. Whether you’re a newbie or looking to up your game, Xero’s got the tools to help you become an accounting software whiz.