How to Learn Accounting Online

Those just beginning to learn accounting can find dozens of tips and resources online. Individuals can watch free tutorials, enroll in live online classes, or enroll in on-demand classes. 

What is Accounting?

Accounting involves recording financial transactions and storing and presenting the results in different reports or analyses. It provides proper insight into a company’s financial health. Different accounting types include financial, management, and tax accounting. Employing Accountants is necessary for every company. 

Experts Accountants are crucial to a company’s reliable decision-making, predictable cost planning, and accurate measurement of economic performance. In small businesses, accounting may be handled by a bookkeeper or an accountant, some of which work part-time for several companies. Larger companies may have entire finance departments. 

Learn more about accounting, why you should learn it, and possible careers through Noble’s comprehensive guide. 

What Can You Do with Accounting?

Accounting can be a challenging but enjoyable field of study. Individuals can use their skills to start a business or improve their lives outside work. Generally, accounting courses provide valuable knowledge on managing a budget and expenses effectively. 

By completing accounting courses, individuals learn a broad range of topics. Beginner-level accounting courses cover tax returns, financial statements, and computer applications like Microsoft Excel. Advanced courses may dive deeper into financial analysis and presentation, auditing, fraud examination, and international accounting. The more courses an individual completes, the more options the same individual has. Each course opens doors to different career paths. Possible roles for those who have taken some accounting classes include an auditing clerk or an accounting assistant. 

Students who complete full accounting degrees may take advantage of international opportunities. Individuals who wish to work abroad can easily find jobs overseas, as most accounting principles are not specific to one region. Good recommendations for career advancements and can be used as stepping-stones for other degrees. There are several opportunities to volunteer for large organizations, as they constantly need more Accountants. Individuals can even use their degrees to further their education towards other topics, such as law. 

Live Online Accounting Training

Individuals who prefer to train from the comfort of their own homes or offices may want to enroll in virtual accounting classes. Live, instructor-led training is the best way to learn accounting, and there are several perks to virtual training. Classes are live online and allow for flexibility. Individuals can learn from anywhere as long as they meet course deadlines. With this flexibility, individuals can work on other priorities in their lives. Individuals also have the luxury of avoiding lengthy commutes and getting stuck in traffic. Those who enroll in online classes must consider some things. There is no face-to-face interaction, and individuals are responsible for establishing their routines and completing coursework while balancing other priorities. 

Most of Noble Desktop’s accounting classes have a live online option allowing students to attend courses from anywhere. Noble’s top courses, according to students, include Financial Analyst Training Program and Financial Modeling Bootcamp. The Financial Modeling Bootcamp teaches the fundamentals of finance, accounting, and corporate valuation. To enroll in this course, individuals must have Excel proficiency equivalent to Intermediate Excel for Business. Financial Analyst Training Program covers core excel skills and advanced Excel for financial modeling, accounting, and corporate finance and valuation. Prior knowledge of finance and accounting is helpful in this course. Other schools offering live online accounting training include NYIM Training, NYC Career Centers, City Lit, and The Knowledge Academy.

On-Demand Accounting Classes

Not all individuals can be present for live online training, so on-demand accounting training is another option for those who prefer training from home. On-demand or self-paced accounting training has both advantages and drawbacks. This version of training makes it easier for individuals to access knowledge on their terms, without any barriers of time or availability. It can be especially effective in training individuals who need to quickly perform a new task requiring new skills. 

One drawback of on-demand accounting training is that individuals are usually required to absorb the information too quickly and need help understanding the taught concepts. There are also no in-person sessions, nor are there times for trainees to ask live questions if they are having difficulties. There are pros and cons to on-demand accounting training, but it may become the future of the workplace. Individuals can access beginner and advanced topics, and many enjoy online classes' flexibility. Those disciplined enough to set up their schedules may be interested in on-demand accounting training.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

Anyone looking for an overview of accounting can start learning for free online! Free, beginner-level courses are valuable for busy individuals to learn accounting basics. Noble Desktop offers a variety of free seminars on multiple topics. To get started with accounting, check out the accounting seminars on Youtube. Through these seminars, individuals gather a general idea of basic accounting concepts. 

Noble Desktop’s Youtube channel contains various free financial modeling videos, which combine accounting, finance, and business with learning how to determine a company’s future results. Individuals can view these free Youtube tutorials to learn about mergers and acquisitions, the LBO Model, Transaction Comps, Business Risk, and other topics. Focus on the most recent uploads to learn the most up-to-date information. Some free accounting videos include Financial Modeling: LBO Model-Step 1 and Financial Modeling: LBO Model-Step 2. 

Other providers around the country offer free online tutorial videos. Some of the more popular companies include Coursera and Udemy. Udemy offers shorter tutorials, like an Introduction to Management Accounting or an Overview of the Moving Average Crossover System in Accounting. They post some longer videos, like an Introduction to Financial Accounting. Coursera also offers an accessible Introduction to Financial Accounting course. 

Read about more free accounting videos and online tutorials.

Comparing Online Methods with In-Person Learning 

The three primary training methods to learn accounting include in-person, live online, and self-paced or on-demand. While all forms of training are beneficial, individuals should note that in-person and live online classes are the most interactive formats. Through in-person accounting classes, individuals can interact with instructors and peers and ask questions in the classroom in real-time. The same is true for live online classes, as individuals can interact in real-time but will interact virtually rather than in a classroom. 

Since in-person and live online classes are real-time, individuals receive immediate feedback and guidance while building their portfolios. Individuals also get the opportunity to interact with like-minded peers and gain knowledge through open discussions. Those who enroll in face-to-face classes receive additional bonuses, such as networking opportunities and computer labs with up-to-date software. 

On-demand learning is the most affordable and excellent way to learn the basics. It is crucial to understand that this method doesn’t offer the same benefits as live online instruction. This instruction may also be outdated, so individuals should watch recent videos and seminars. On-demand learning eliminates the chances of having a professor who may not be the best at explaining a particular process to students. Providers can consistently provide high-quality training, as they can record top instructors presenting the instruction. 

Tips to Succeed when Learning Accounting Online

Individuals must be diligent with their schedules to succeed in learning accounting online. It is essential to stay organized and have a designated space to study that is free of distractions. Individuals should remain engaged throughout the course and understand that they must ask for help if needed. 

Key Insights

• Accounting is the backbone of a business; businesses require trained individuals, yet how individuals learn accounting depends on their preferences. 
• By learning accounting, individuals can learn both beginner-level and advanced topics and quickly find jobs overseas. 
• Live online accounting training allows for flexibility and is perfect for those who prefer to train from their homes or offices.
• On-demand classes allow individuals to train from home and access knowledge on their terms. 
• Free intro accounting courses allow individuals to learn online for free and provide a general idea of basic accounting concepts.
• Those who prefer to train in a classroom may want to enroll in in-person training, while those who like to train from home may want to enroll in online training. 
• To be successful during online learning, individuals must stay organized, remain focused, and ask questions when necessary. 

Learn Accounting with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Individuals can learn accounting through finance classes with hands-on training at Noble Desktop. Finance courses boast small class sizes, expert instructors, and free retakes. Noble’s Financial Analyst Training Program teaches excel and critical financial and corporate finance options. Individuals gain basic and intermediate skills in Excel while learning to build a comprehensive valuation model for a public company. Critical concepts taught include advanced Excel for financial modeling and accounting, corporate finance, and valuation. 

Noble also offers Intro to Financial Accounting, through which individuals master the fundamentals of financial accounting and begin taking the next steps in accounting or finance. Enrollees see real-life examples and go through real 10-K’s to better understand how accounting concepts apply to large companies such as Facebook, Amazon, and Apple.