8 Best Online Accounting Courses in 2024 – See Pros and Cons

People who want to learn to account online can take online accounting courses to help them develop the skills necessary to excel in the field.

Online accounting courses are available for managers, business owners, and entrepreneurs to assist them in managing their businesses more effectively.

In addition, an online prep course can help people studying for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

Finally, online accounting courses can help accounting professionals fulfill their continuing professional education (CPE) obligations.

Regardless of your experience or knowledge level, taking an online accounting course can help you progress in your profession and fill any skill gaps.

To identify the top online accounting courses, we examined more than twenty-course options based on pricing, topics covered, the time required for completion, and other factors.

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Best Online Accounting Courses In 2024

Outlined below are the best online accounting courses in 2024 for you.

1. Develop Your Finance and Accounting Skills Path by LinkedIn Learning

Develop Your Finance and Accounting Skills Path is a comprehensive online accounting course provided by LinkedIn Learning.

This course aims to teach people how to understand the three main types of accounting (financial, managerial, and tax).

It also aims to show how accounting is used to make decisions, assess a company’s health, interpret financial reports, and communicate financial results.

Pros

• The monthly subscription cost is affordable, starting at $19.99.
• Suitable for people of all skill and experience levels

Cons

• Two courses are not eligible for CPE credit for accounting professionals.

2. Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization From Coursera

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania offers the Coursera program Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization.

To participate in this online accounting program, you don’t need any prior knowledge or expertise, although you should be familiar with high school math.

The four classes that make up this accounting curriculum cover the fundamentals of corporate finance and financial accounting in order (e.g., accounting standards, financial statement preparation, and corporate decision-making).

In addition, the four Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization classes can be completed entirely online.

Pros

• Available from the Wharton School
• You can learn the fundamentals of accounting and finance for $79 per month.
• Using a Q&A forum to connect with topic experts

Cons

• Ineligible for CPE credit
• It can take up to five months to finish.

3. Online Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate Program by Northwestern University

The Northwestern University School of Professional Studies offers an online Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate program for business professionals with a bachelor’s degree who haven’t previously studied accounting.

This online accounting certificate program requires four online courses to complete, but you’ll master all accounting fundamentals from a reputable university.

Pros

• The reputation of Northwestern University is outstanding.
• No prior accounting expertise or knowledge is required.
• Possibility of obtaining a certificate in advanced accounting.

Cons

• Costly as compared to alternative initiatives
• It could take up to a year to finish.
• A bachelor’s degree is required.

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4. Introduction to Financial Accounting by Udemy

The accessible Introduction to Financial Accounting course provided by Udemy is an excellent choice if you want to learn about financial accounting but are on a tight budget.

You will have access to more than an hour’s worth of accounting-related on-demand video tutorials.

There are no prerequisites necessary, but knowing the fundamentals of high school math will be helpful.

Pros

• Free
• No prior knowledge is required.

Cons

• Questioning the instructor is not permitted.
• Includes only one hour’s worth of training materials
• There is no completion certificate.

5. Becker CPA Review

The Becker CPA Review program offers the top online accounting course for CPA test preparation.

Whether you’re a recent college graduate with an accounting degree or an accountant who hasn’t yet taken the CPA exam.

In addition to Becker’s stellar reputation, you may select three different learning plans with adaptive learning technology that tailor the course material to your particular learning requirements.

Even tutoring is an option, and live classroom possibilities are available.

Pros

• Excellent standing
• Interest-free monthly payment schedules that are flexible
• The course materials are modified to meet your learning needs thanks to adaptive learning technology.

Cons

• The most affordable subscription does not include unrestricted access to resources.
• Expensive

6. Financial Learning Library by Kaplan Financial Education

Kaplan Financial Education’s Financial Learning Library provides accounting professionals with the best online accounting classes.

As they frequently need to earn CPE credits, such professionals are certified public accountants, management accountants, internal auditors, and fraud examiners.

Pros

• Courses are offered in various subjects for professionals at all levels, from entry-level to senior.
• The topics covered in the courses range widely in accounting.

Cons

• No access to the professors of the course for questioning.
• It will be expensive if you don’t intend to take many CPE programs each year.

7. Accounting Fundamentals: Understanding Financial Statements (Skillshare)

This brings us to the best free accounting education that we think is out there.

But, of course, none other than Matt Cooper, CEO of Skillshare, is giving the lecture.

And if anyone understands how to create a fantastic online course, it’s Skillshare’s CEO.

This 46-minute Skillshare lesson will help you out in this situation.

One of the better options available is this Blitzkrieg of a program for anyone wishing to brush up on accounting fundamentals quickly.

Pros

• It can be used for free with a 30-day Skillshare trial.
• A brief lesson on the fundamentals of accounting
• Lessons that can be applied to personal budgeting

Cons

• Too brief for in-depth study

8. MicroMasters Program in Accounting (edX)

The Kelley School of Business offers the “MicroMasters Program in Accounting” through edX. (ranked no. 23 in the USA as of 2020).

The top-notch lectures will provide you with the practical knowledge necessary to begin a career in finance.

Enrolling in a course like this, though, requires certain compromises.

Pros

• An exceedingly thorough course
• In charge of a top-tier business school
• Extremely useful for preparing for the CPA exam

Cons

• The duration of the course is lengthy.
• Pricey compared to other accounting programs.

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Conclusion

We have outlined the 8 best online accounting courses, their cost, pros, and cons.

We hope this piece helps ease your search for a befitting online accounting course.