QuickBooks is accounting software from Intuit that allows small businesses and self-employed individuals to track and manage their finances. It is useful to learn QuickBooks whether you’re interested in managing your own finances or those of another business, as QuickBooks allows you to send invoices, receive payments, manage inventory, handle payroll, and prepare taxes. When comparing types of QuickBooks training, there are many factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the right kind of training is critical to your experience.
Keep reading to find out more about the different formats of QuickBooks training, how they compare to each other, and how to determine which is best for you.
What is QuickBooks?
QuickBooks is a widely used accounting and bookkeeping software package from Intuit. Primarily used by small and medium businesses, QuickBooks helps businesses to track and manage everything to do with their finances. Using QuickBooks, businesses can monitor their cash flow and profits and losses by tracking sales, expenses, customers, and payments. QuickBooks is also often used to create and send invoices, manage the business’s inventory, and manage employee payroll. It also has budgeting, time tracking, and daily task features to keep businesses running efficiently.
QuickBooks helps businesses ensure the accuracy of their records by directly connecting sales channels to QuickBooks and reconciling bank transactions with the information one inputs. The software also has features to help with tax preparation and can be used as a way to collaborate and share documents with an accountant. QuickBooks is a subscription-based service with varied payment tiers that provide access to different features. The different versions of QuickBooks cater to different storage and employment needs as Intuit offers basic to premium plans of its cloud-based QuickBooks Online, a computer-installed QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise version for larger companies, and a version for freelancers and independent contractors called QuickBooks Solopreneur.
Read more about what QuickBooks is and why you should learn it.
What Can You Do with QuickBooks?
QuickBooks software has many different applications and uses across a wide variety of industries. Many small and medium-sized businesses use QuickBooks for its record-keeping features as it was originally designed for businesses without a dedicated accounting department. QuickBooks allows someone to track and categorize many things such as expenses, sales, transactions, and customer, vendor, and inventory lists. This makes QuickBooks a great option for those needing to keep all of their business records in one place.
Additionally, many people use QuickBooks to create and send invoices, manage employee payroll, help prepare their taxes, maintain a budget, and automate tasks. QuickBooks includes features to automate accounts payable and receivable. Many use QuickBooks to automate sending customer invoices or payment reminders or even keeping employees updated on crucial tasks and sending deadline reminders. These features of QuickBooks allow you to increase productivity and maintain efficient workflows so that you do not constantly need to task employees with work that can be done by the QuickBooks software itself.
Not only do businesses use QuickBooks, but QuickBooks is often used by self-employed people like freelancers and independent contractors. QuickBooks offers a specific version of the software called QuickBooks Solopreneur (formerly QuickBooks Self-Employed or SE). Many people find that once they link their accounts, it is easy to import their transactions and the QuickBooks software will automatically work to tag one’s income. Self-employed users will likely need to do a bit of extra work to categorize their transactions more effectively for their own needs, but QuickBooks can do much of the bookkeeping work automatically and make tracking finances easier for individuals.
Training Formats for QuickBooks
Training format is one of the most important considerations when determining how to learn QuickBooks. In-person and live online instruction is best for those who want comprehensive, hands-on training in QuickBooks, as these formats teach learners both basic and advanced features and provide access to an expert instructor who can answer questions and troubleshoot issues. Beginners can learn QuickBooks basics from free resources, like YouTube tutorials, online webinars and lectures, and LinkedIn Learning classes. For self-motivated learners with busy schedules, taking an on-demand class is a low-cost training option that allows you to study QuickBooks course material at your own speed.
In-Person QuickBooks Training
In-person training is a great way to learn basic and advanced uses of QuickBooks. Most in-person classes aim to teach beginning and comprehensive use of QuickBooks in as little as a few hours to a couple of days. The benefit of an in-person class is that students will receive guided instruction and individual feedback from a live instructor, an instructor who can also answer questions and provide further examples, as necessary. Many people also find that in-person training allows them to better focus on the course content, as they do not have to deal with the distractions that come with learning from home or studying in a public place like a coffee shop or library.
The main downsides to in-person learning are cost and lack of scheduling flexibility. In-person classes are often more expensive than on-demand classes or free resources and one usually has to commit to taking the class as scheduled, which can be difficult for those with busy schedules, full-time jobs, and other commitments. In-person learning is still considered to be the best way to learn a skill or topic and it is likely one will be able to find lower-cost in-person QuickBooks classes in a variety of cities and some in-person classes do have more flexible part-time, weekend, or evening schedules to accommodate a wider range of students.
One can find options for in-person QuickBooks training from many reputable training centers and schools. IT and digital skills training centers often operate in-person QuickBooks classes in large and midsize cities, these education providers include Noble Desktop, Certstaffix Training, Sonic Training, and ONLC Training. Additionally, it is useful to check with local libraries, community colleges, or continuing education programs near you, as these are common ways to find lower-cost or even free in-person QuickBooks training options. Use Noble Desktop’s free Classes Near Me too to find in-person QuickBooks classes in your local area.
Live Online QuickBooks Training
Live online QuickBooks training is a great option for those who want to take an instructor-led class but either cannot attend an in-person class or would prefer to take a class from home or another quiet location of their own choice. This mode of instruction is most similar to in-person learning and students should look for live online classes that are run by experts and offer hands-on training with the most updated version of the QuickBooks software. Live online classes can provide students with the structure and guidance necessary to learn how to use QuickBooks while allowing for more flexibility than in-person classes. Students can take these classes from any location and can often find part-time, evening, or weekend classes offered online.
One of the downsides to a live online class is that it can be harder to focus and more distracting than taking an in-person class. While some have mastered online learning, others find it can be harder to focus on the course material and that they are distracted by their household environment. Even though learning online can present these challenges, it is still a great way to receive training in QuickBooks, especially for those who cannot take an in-person class.
Many online training centers and education providers have live online QuickBooks classes. Noble Desktop offers a live online QuickBooks bootcamp for those looking to learn beginning and advanced QuickBooks skills. Other providers like Certstaffix Training, NYIM Training, Computer Training Source, Inc., and Digital Workshop Center also offer beginner-friendly classes, advanced classes, and bootcamps. Some even offer QuickBooks training as a larger part of learning the fundamentals of bookkeeping. Use Noble Desktop’s free Classes Near Me tool to find live online QuickBooks classes in your local area.
Free Online Courses & Tutorials
For those not yet ready to take a full course on QuickBooks, one can start learning QuickBooks and related skills for free online. Noble Desktop’s comprehensive guide to accounting is one such free resource that covers introductory information about accounting and how to learn the skills necessary to become an Accountant. It is common for those interested in QuickBooks or accounting, either for use with their own business or for other clients, to start by learning about the software and familiarizing themselves with what it can do and what skills will allow them to optimize their use of it. Using free resources can help someone not only receive a basic overview of QuickBooks but also figure out what skills to learn, what courses to take, and what knowledge they still need to acquire before getting started with QuickBooks.
One can also find free introductory courses from different education providers online. Most of these courses will be on-demand, self-paced courses that will provide learners with access to video lectures or tutorials and allow for limited practice and skills testing. These courses range from providing beginners with tips and tricks for getting started with QuickBooks to more focused classes with modules on how to create invoices, use payroll, set up different kinds of accounts, or even customize the QuickBooks interface. LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) has many such offerings and can often be accessed for free through one’s local library.
Read more about free QuickBooks videos and online tutorials.
On-Demand Classes
On-demand training refers to taking an online, self-paced class. These are classes where students receive access to the course material, which often includes video tutorials or lectures, self-guided practice, and skills quizzes, and can work through it at their own pace. These classes allow learners to speed through or skip material they already know and slow down, study, and review more challenging or more important material. QuickBooks learners can find on-demand classes for beginners and advanced learners, classes that are comprehensive and all-inclusive, and classes that are more targeted toward teaching specific aspects of QuickBooks like bank reconciliation or categorizing one’s transactions.
On-demand classes have many benefits, including that they are more flexible and often lower cost than in-person or live online classes. Learners taking an on-demand class can learn on their own schedule, choosing when to access course material and how long to spend with the material. This means that it can be a lot faster to learn QuickBooks from an on-demand class, depending on how determined someone is to learn how to use the software. Additionally, the lack of an instructor or training facility often means that on-demand classes can be taken at a much lower cost than other types of classes. It will ultimately depend on what class someone chooses, but there are free on-demand courses and low-cost and subscription-based classes from providers like Udemy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare.
Because on-demand classes are not led by an instructor, one of the disadvantages is that students are left to learn the material without much guidance other than following a pre-recorded video or reading through instructions or guides. Those who pick up skills quickly with little training might find this mode of instruction useful, but some people do find the lack of guidance, hands-on practice, and feedback on their skills to be frustrating. While self-motivated, determined learners can also quickly learn the material from an on-demand class, some find they move slower through the material because nothing is forcing them to continue watching, reading, or practicing their skills. Additionally, some of the free and low-cost options might be out-of-date or offer less accurate information than one would find in a course led by a live expert.
Comparison of QuickBooks Training Formats
QuickBooks can be learned in several ways and each method has different strengths and weaknesses. Learners can take an instructor-led class or self-teach, enroll in a live online class, an in-person class at a training facility, or take an online asynchronous, on-demand class. Those wanting to learn QuickBooks can even teach themselves the basics using free online resources. The training method that is right for you is the one that provides you with quality training that will help you learn the QuickBooks skills you need at a price that you can afford.
For beginners, one of the most cost-effective ways to learn QuickBooks fundamentals is through utilizing free resources. YouTube tutorials are a popular way to familiarize oneself with the software and its features. Many free resources also aim to get learners started with some of the more basic features of setting up your company profile, adding your accounts, and starting to track and manage transactions and invoices. Additionally, one can find guides, written tutorials, eBooks, websites, and blogs that will offer training to get you started using QuickBooks. While free resources are great for learning the basics of QuickBooks, they can fall short of providing full, detailed, and comprehensive knowledge users need to master QuickBooks and can quickly become outdated or inaccurate.
Another affordable option for QuickBooks training is taking an on-demand class. These are online asynchronous classes that are self-paced, as students are given access to the course material which often includes video tutorials, practices, and skills quizzes, and can work through it at their own speed. Many on-demand classes, such as those offered by Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare, come at a lower price point and are especially great options for self-motivated learners who cannot commit to attending a live online or in-person class. If someone has a busy schedule or other commitments, an on-demand class allows them to decide when they study and for how long. While determined learners can receive QuickBooks training quickly this way, some find it daunting to learn QuickBooks only through pre-recorded video lectures and self-guided practices.
Live online and in-person classes are a great option to receive expert training with hands-on guidance. Both are more engaging ways to learn QuickBooks that allow students to ask questions, receive immediate feedback, and interact with like-minded peers and potential future colleagues. Live online classes are often convenient, as one can take the class from any location and they are also more likely to have part-time options or be offered in the evening or on weekends. In-person classes can be more expensive, though this is considered the best way to learn new skills as sometimes even the best learners get distracted or become disengaged with online learning and self-teaching methods.
Is it Possible to Teach Yourself QuickBooks?
Yes, it is possible to learn the fundamentals of QuickBooks through self-teaching. Many beginning QuickBooks learners find it useful to start learning QuickBooks by either downloading QuickBooks and playing around with its features or following along with free YouTube tutorials. Video tutorials, in particular, are ways to gain familiarity with the different versions of QuickBooks software and the navigation interface of QuickBooks. These tutorials can also provide beginning learners with useful guidance for how to get started with setting up their company profile, linking accounts, adding sales channels, and performing other basic QuickBooks functions.
Many people find that there are limitations to self-teaching. It can be overwhelming to figure out where to find the most up-to-date self-study materials on one’s own. Not only can it be difficult to find the best resources to learn from, but it can be difficult to learn some of the advanced features of QuickBooks, such as creating customized reports, tracking inventory by location or serial number, and handling transactions in multiple currencies. Not all small business owners will use the more complex features of QuickBooks, so it is important to know which features your business needs. Those wanting to use QuickBooks professionally should make sure they understand both basic and complex, advanced features, especially if one is planning to use QuickBooks as an Accountant, Bookkeeper, or Financial Manager.
Self-teaching can also be isolating and some find that they lack the motivation necessary to train themselves or complete free and low-cost tutorials. Instructor-led classes and bootcamps have a teacher, other students, and deadlines that push learners to continue on with the course and complete the required material, while free resources and on-demand self-study classes lack these external motivating forces. Those teaching themselves QuickBooks can often lose steam or become frustrated with the course material, which causes it to take longer to learn QuickBooks. If one plans to learn QuickBooks on one’s own, it is important to stay motivated, set reasonable goals for oneself, and ask for help when needed.
How to Decide the Best Way to Learn QuickBooks
When determining the best way to learn QuickBooks, consider how best you learn a topic, what you need to learn about QuickBooks, and the cost of various methods of learning QuickBooks. Free and low-cost QuickBooks resources are best for beginners who are looking to gain familiarity with the software and features of QuickBooks. Free resources can provide an overview and knowledge of some of the QuickBooks fundamentals so that beginners can get started quickly with QuickBooks and at little cost, other than the basic subscription fee to use the software. It can be frustrating, however, to learn entirely through free resources as they may contain outdated or inaccurate information and not provide the depth of instruction necessary for one’s specific needs.
On-demand or self-paced online classes can also be a useful way to learn how to use QuickBooks for both beginners and those who want to learn how to use specific features of QuickBooks. On-demand classes are often lower-cost in comparison to live online or in-person classes and one can usually find more niche topics in these classes. So, for those who want to learn the ins and outs of creating invoices or bank reconciliation, it will be easier to take an on-demand class or find a free YouTube tutorial than to take an entire class. This self-teaching method, like free resources, lacks expert guidance from an instructor and can make learning QuickBooks take longer or be more frustrating than taking a live online or in-person class.
A bootcamp is a great option for those who want to gain a comprehensive knowledge of how to use QuickBooks in a short amount of time. A QuickBooks bootcamp will provide students with both basic and advanced QuickBooks skills so that they can be proficient in using QuickBooks for their finances or to manage accounts for other businesses. An in-person or live online bootcamp will also offer more guidance, real-world examples, and hands-on practice than one receives from free resources alone. Bootcamps are more career-oriented forms of training which makes them a great choice not only for QuickBooks beginners but for those who need to plug a skills gap or upskill in their current role.
Certificate programs could be another way to learn QuickBooks. Instead of looking for a QuickBooks certificate program, this is an option for those who want to learn QuickBooks as they master a new career or pivot to a new industry like accounting or financial management. Bookkeepers, Accountants, and Financial Managers will often need to know how to use QuickBooks to track and manage the finances of their clients. For those interested in these career paths, consider looking into a certificate program for financial management or accounting with a module on QuickBooks to gain career-oriented proficiency in using this software.
Learn QuickBooks with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop offers expert in-person and live online training for those interested in learning QuickBooks. Noble Desktop’s classes all include expert, hands-on guidance, small class sizes, and free retake options and many classes offer both part-time and full-time options so that one can find the QuickBooks or finance class that works best for their schedule. For fast and comprehensive training in QuickBooks, consider enrolling in Noble Deskop’s QuickBooks Bootcamp which teaches students everything they need to know about how to use QuickBooks to track and manage a business’s finances. This bootcamp uses hands-on training to teach students the basics of QuickBooks like configuring a company profile, working with customer, vendor, and inventory lists, and invoicing and processing payments as well as the more advanced management and customization features. Noble Desktop offers this bootcamp live online from any location and it can be taken in person at Noble Desktop’s training facility in New York City.
Noble Desktop also has accounting classes and bootcamps which are a great option for anyone interested in developing their skills or learning more about finance and accounting. The Intro to Financial Accounting & Financial Statements class uses hands-on exercises to teach students the fundamentals of analyzing financial statements and reports. After completing this introductory class, students can progress to the Intermediate Financial Accounting class which teaches more complex topics like earnings per share and deferred taxes. For those who want a comprehensive, accelerated class that tackles both beginner and intermediate topics of accounting, consider the Financial Accounting Bootcamp which teaches everything students need to know in two class sessions.
Noble’s finance and accounting classes are great for those who want to grow their financial literacy beyond learning about QuickBooks. These classes are also useful for those interested in turning their knowledge of QuickBooks into the first step to becoming a Bookkeeper or Accountant. If this is something that interests you, you can learn more about the career path of an Accountant by reading Noble Desktop’s comprehensive guide to accounting, a free resource that covers essential information about accounting and how to learn the skills necessary to make this one’s career. For those who want to work in finance in some capacity but are not entirely sure which direction they want to go in yet, Noble Desktop’s guide to finance is a useful way to read about different career options.