Once you’ve decided to learn Accounting, the next important question is deciding how to learn these skills. Most students find that they learn better when they receive guided training, and there is no shortage of available options for students to receive guidance in their Accounting training. To learn more about the different Accounting training options, and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them, read on.

What is Accounting?

Accounting is the backbone of financial management within businesses, encompassing a range of essential tasks to record, analyze, and interpret financial data. The primary goal of accounting is to provide accurate and timely information about an organization's financial health and performance. This information is critical for stakeholders such as investors, creditors, regulators, and internal management to make informed decisions.

Several types of accounting exist, including financial, management, and tax accounting, each serving distinct purposes. Whether in large corporations or small startups, accounting skills are indispensable for ensuring financial stability and making informed business decisions. Learning accounting skills is highly rewarding, offering opportunities for professional growth, financial stability, and the satisfaction of playing a crucial role in businesses' financial health and success. 

Read more about what accounting is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Accounting Skills?

With accounting skills, you can pursue various career paths, such as financial analyst, budget analyst, controller, forensic accountant, and tax accountant, providing critical insights and ensuring financial compliance within organizations. Additionally, these skills are valuable for personal financial management, entrepreneurial ventures, and managing investment portfolios, enabling informed decision-making and financial optimization in both professional and personal contexts.

Why Training Format Matters

Training format is crucial as it significantly impacts the learning experience and outcomes. Different training formats cater to varying learning styles and schedules. In-person and live online classes offer interactive experiences with real-time feedback, while on-demand courses provide flexibility to learn at your own pace. Bootcamps and certificate programs offer intensive, focused training for quick skill acquisition. With such diverse options, students can select the format that best fits their personal and professional needs. 

Types of Training Formats

People often choose from various training formats such as in-person, live online, on-demand, and free courses. Each format offers unique benefits and challenges, and the right choice for you will depend on your specific situation and where you are in your life.

Live In-Person Classes

When people think of training, live in-person classes often come to mind first. This format offers a focused, distraction-free learning environment where all necessary supplies are typically provided. Additionally, it offers the invaluable opportunity to network with peers with similar interests, fostering community and collaboration.

However, in-person classes require physical attendance, so you must consider the time and cost of commuting. This requirement can be a significant drawback, especially for those with busy schedules or limited budgets. Balancing travel logistics with class schedules can add a layer of complexity, making it essential to weigh these factors when choosing the best training format for your needs.

Live Online Classes

Live online classes are rapidly gaining popularity due to their ability to connect students with the same high-quality instructors as in-person courses. These classes also provide essential practice for online interactions, a skill increasingly valuable in today’s remote world. The flexibility to attend from anywhere with an internet connection means your classmates can be from various parts of the country or even the world, enriching the learning experience with diverse perspectives.

However, participating in live online classes requires reliable technology, which you must procure yourself. Fortunately, many online training providers offer robust tech support to assist with any issues before and during the course. This support ensures that technical difficulties do not impede your learning, making the virtual classroom a practical and convenient alternative to traditional in-person settings.

On-Demand Classes

On-demand classes have become popular for individuals who want to learn new skills but struggle to fit scheduled courses into their busy lives. Also called “self-paced” classes, these programs offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to access pre-recorded course material at any time that suits you. This convenience enables learners to balance education with other commitments, making it easier to acquire new skills without sacrificing personal or professional responsibilities. Training centers often provide on-demand options via paid subscriptions to help students kickstart their education and provide an inexpensive way to maintain control over their schedules.

However, on-demand classes require students to be more self-disciplined and responsible for completing coursework. Without the scheduled session structure, it’s up to the learners to manage their time effectively and stay motivated. This format demands a proactive approach to learning, as you’ll need to ensure you consistently engage with the material and meet any deadlines. Successfully navigating on-demand classes can enhance your time management skills and self-motivation, two essential personal and professional skills to develop.

Free Courses

Free courses typically fit into two categories: on-demand classes and live sessions introducing fundamental concepts within their respective fields. For instance, Noble Desktop frequently hosts live streaming sessions on platforms like YouTube and their website. These live sessions allow participants to engage directly with instructors, asking questions and seeking clarification in real time. Popular providers of free online courses include Coursera and Udemy, which offer a variety of tutorials focused on accounting. 

However, a notable limitation of free courses is their focus on foundational knowledge. While they provide a solid introduction to a topic, they generally do not delve deeply into advanced or specialized areas. As a result, those looking to gain expertise beyond the basics often find it necessary to enroll in paid courses that offer more comprehensive coverage and in-depth exploration of advanced topics within the subject matter.

Depth of Training Formats

When pursuing accounting training, students have a variety of formats to choose from to suit their learning preferences and career goals. These include introductory courses for foundational knowledge, intensive bootcamps for accelerated learning, and comprehensive certificate programs offering in-depth specialization and credentialing in accounting.

Certificate Programs 

A certificate program offers a robust option for those looking to embark on a new career path or shift into a different professional realm. These extended programs deliver comprehensive training across various skills essential to specific careers, equipping students for entry-level positions within their chosen fields. For example, Noble Desktop’s Excel Specialist Certification Program provides mastery of Microsoft Excel, which is crucial for financial management and accounting roles. 

Participants in Noble's certificate programs benefit from personalized career mentorship sessions with industry experts. These sessions aid in refining resumes, discussing interview strategies, and enhancing professional portfolios, ensuring readiness for the job market. Moreover, the flexibility to retake courses within one year at no additional cost allows students to reinforce their skills and gain further expertise in accounting practices.

Training Bootcamps

Training bootcamps provide a focused and cost-effective approach to mastering specific skills within accounting. These condensed courses are ideal for individuals aiming to quickly gain proficiency in a particular area or software tool essential for their career advancement. For instance, Noble Desktop offers a Financial Accounting Bootcamp, concentrating on essential financial accounting skills for careers in accounting, bookkeeping, and other finance-related fields.

Noble's bootcamps, whether attended online or in-person at their Manhattan campus, offer practical, hands-on training in essential accounting tools. The option to retake the course within one year ensures that participants can solidify their knowledge and skills, making them well-prepared for accounting roles demanding precision and efficiency.

Introductory Courses

Designed for beginners, introductory courses provide a concise introduction to key concepts and tools in accounting. These courses are shorter than bootcamps or certificates, making them a cost-effective starting point for exploring a new field or deciding on further specialization. While introductory courses cover fundamental topics, students may need to enroll in multiple courses to achieve proficiency in accounting principles and practices.

For example, Noble Desktop's Introduction to Financial Accounting & Financial Statements course offers beginners the practical skills to analyze financial statements and reports, such as income statements and balance sheets. This introductory course serves as a stepping stone for those considering more comprehensive training in accounting and financial management practices.

Learn Accounting Skills with Noble Desktop

Students looking to master accounting skills can do so through the expert instruction provided by Noble Desktop. Noble provides a broad range of accounting courses covering accounting fundamentals for all types of learners. You can join Noble’s courses in person in Manhattan or virtually from the comfort of your home or office. These courses feature small class sizes led by expert instructors who guide students through the course material. In addition, Noble classes feature a free retake option that will allow you to retake a course within a year for no extra fees.

If you’re looking for an intensive, accelerated learning experience that will teach you essential accounting skills, consider Noble Desktop’s Financial Accounting Bootcamp. This bootcamp is a beginner-friendly, live online course that teaches fundamental financial accounting principles training. This comprehensive course covers financial statements, balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. 

Also offered is the Intro to Financial Accounting course, which covers essential concepts needed for financial accounting, including how to record, classify, and summarize financial transactions. The course covers key concepts such as the accounting cycle, financial statements, and basic accounting principles, providing a solid foundation for understanding and managing financial information. Noble’s Financial Analyst Training Program also focuses on key concepts for financial analysis, including advanced Excel techniques, financial modeling, and corporate valuation.