12 best free online accounting courses with certifications for 2024

Let’s be honest, accounting expertise is like a superpower. Whether you’re running your own business or looking to further your accounting career, the more advanced your accounting skills are, the better. 

The best part is, you don’t need to spend a fortune to broaden your accounting knowledge. Nor do you have to enroll in formal accounting programs. With a huge range of free online accounting courses, you can learn at your own pace without spending a dime. The only question then is, “Which course should I choose?”

In this article, we’ll help you find an answer. We’ve scoured the internet for 12 of the best free online accounting courses, covering everything from accounting basics to highly specialized skills. 

Why study accounting online?

While more formal qualifications are necessary to launch a career in accounting, online accounting courses are a great way to learn the basics and broaden your skill set. 

The beauty of online accounting courses is that they tend to be completely flexible and self-guided. In other words, you can study where you want, when you want. And with plenty of courses being available for free, you can learn valuable new skills without worrying about costs. 

There’s also a huge variety of courses online. Some cover the basics of accounting, bookkeeping, or tax preparation. Others focus on niche areas of accounting, such as financial analytics or leveraging accounting automation software. Whatever your needs, chances are you’ll find the right course.

Key factors when choosing an online accounting course

The internet is bursting with great learning opportunities, and accounting is no different. But with so many courses to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this section, we’ll highlight some key factors to consider when choosing the right online accounting course. 

Free access

Not all online courses are free. Some are very expensive, others may lure you in with free materials or modules, only to sting you later with fees for unlocking the rest. It goes without saying, but before you sign up for a course, make sure you understand what is available for free and what isn’t. 

Certification options

At the end of the course, it’s great to have some sort of formal proof that you completed the study program and passed any associated tests. Not all courses offer free certification, however.

It’s also worth researching whether the course is accredited by an external accounting or educational body. Most free courses offered by universities, for example, will be. Because these certifications are “official”, you can use them when applying for jobs or marketing your skills. 

Other courses may offer informal certification without accreditation from an external authority. In these cases, the certification is more of a personal achievement than a professional credential. They may prove that you took the course, but they won’t be taken as seriously in formal job applications.

Relevant and engaging content

Engagement is key to learning. If a course is dull and monotonous, chances are you’ll lose interest or do the bare minimum to pass. On the flip side, courses that are cleverly designed, varied, and fun will keep you interested and motivated throughout. 

It’s worth checking out any course previews that are available to get a feeling for the content and style. Here are some things to look for: 

• Relevant, up-to-date information: make sure the course covers the latest accounting standards, principles, and best practices
• Real-world examples: courses that provide case studies and practical examples make it easier to connect theory with practice
• Interactive elements: choose courses that combine quizzes, assignments, and practical exercises to test your understanding in a variety of different ways
• Clear explanations: the course should explain complex ideas and processes in simple, easy-to-digest language
• Engaging and varied media: a combination of video lectures, readings, downloadable materials, and visual aids leads to a better learning experience

User reviews and ratings

Before choosing an online course, be sure to check out any user reviews or ratings, if available. Take note of what participants enjoyed and what they struggled with. Avoid courses that have below-average ratings or numerous poor reviews. 

Courses from established institutions may not have online reviews, but generally speaking, you can trust the quality of their content more than “homemade” courses.

Duration and pacing

Before you commit to a course, check its duration and pacing to make sure it aligns with your availability and needs. Some courses are completely self-guided — you can start whenever you want and learn at your own pace. Others may have defined start and end dates, or requirements for you to be available at certain times for feedback, discussions, or formal tests. 

Instructor expertise

You won’t need to worry about instructor expertise if you’re taking a course run by an established institution or software provider. But if you’re going for a course created by a single person, it’s a good idea to check their level of expertise first. 

To ensure that the content is relevant and credible, make sure the course creator has provable experience, expertise, and certifications in accounting or other relevant fields. Look for designations such as CPA, as well as membership in professional accounting bodies such as AICPA.

12 of the best free online accounting courses

Now we know the factors to consider when choosing a course, let’s get to our list of top free accounting courses. In no particular order, here are 12 of the best courses available. Read on to explore key course features, topics covered, certification, user reviews, and more.

• Principles of Accounting — Accounting Intuition
• Forensic Accounting — Oxford Home Study Centre (OHSC)
• Accounting Concepts and Standards — OHSC
• Introduction to QuickBooks Online — SimonSezIT
• Excel for Accountants: Mapping Tables — Udemy
• Accounting Analytics — University of Pennsylvania
• Challenges in Advanced Management Accounting — The Open University
• Auditing II: The Practice of Auditing — The University of Illinois
• Advanced Valuation and Strategy — Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Advanced Financial Reporting — The University of Illinois
• Financial Controller Roles and Responsibilities — Alpha Academy
• Agile Accounting: Boosting Efficiency and Reducing Risk — Ross Maynard

1. Principles of Accounting — Accounting Intuition

Principles of Accounting is a free course from Accounting Intuition, an accounting-focused education provider that specializes in using visualization technology to aid the learning process. The course is available through Alison, an online education provider that offers free courses and certificates across a wide range of subjects. 

This course takes a back-to-basics approach by exploring the fundamental principles of accounting, making it an excellent choice for beginners or those thinking about a career in accounting. In total, the course comprises roughly six to ten hours of learning as well as a final assessment. 

Curriculum and skills

You’ll learn about fundamental principles of accounting, such as the accounting equation, double-entry bookkeeping, financial statements, and more. There are 11 modules in total, spanning everything from the accrual principle to business funding. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to: 

• Track and analyze transactions, balances, debits and credits
• Understand the connection between profit, cash flow, and the balance sheet
• Interpret key financial statements
• Calculate profitability ratios 
• Manage cash flow and working capital through the operating cycle
• Grasp the accrual principle and the difference between profit and cash flow

Certification

Alison offers free certificates for all of its courses. To qualify for a certificate, you need to complete the course and score at least 80% on the final assessment.

User reviews

There are no reviews on the Alison website, but at the time of writing, approximately 21,500 people had enrolled in this course. 

2. Forensic Accounting — Oxford Home Study Centre (OHSC)

This short course from OHSC is the perfect place to start if you’re an accountant looking to branch out into the world of forensic accounting and fraud prevention. It’s completely free, and you can enroll at any time and study at your own pace. What’s more, it’s “CPD approved”, meaning it can count towards your yearly continuous professional development efforts. 

Curriculum and skills

This course explores the basics of forensic accounting, providing a solid foundation for those interested in exploring a career in this highly specialized branch of accounting. During 20 hours of study, you’ll cover the following topics: 

• An introduction to forensic accounting
• A brief history of fraud and fraud prevention
• Different types of investigations and how to conduct them
• The different roles of forensic accountants, fraud auditors, and financial auditors
• The skills, knowledge, and expertise you’ll need to become a successful forensic accountant

Certification

Participants who pass the course’s various assignments will get a free certificate of achievement. 

User reviews

The course has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from more than 65,000 ratings. In total, more than 67,000 people have enrolled in this course. 

3. Accounting Concepts and Standards — OHSC

Another free course from OHSC, this one focuses on a crucial piece of the accounting puzzle: accounting concepts and standards. Like the previous OHSC offering on this list, this course is completely free, self-paced, and CPD-approved. 

Curriculum and skills

This course is a solid introduction to accounting standards and their pros and cons. It provides an overview of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as well as key accounting concepts. The course is split into the following five different sections: 

• Accounting concepts and standards
• Business entity concept
• Money measurement concept
• Cost concept
• Attempts towards standardization

Certification

As with other free OHSC courses, you get a free certificate upon completion of the course and passing all associated assignments.

User reviews

The course has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from more than 20,000 ratings. In total, more than 25,000 people have enrolled in this course. 

4. Introduction to QuickBooks Online — SimonSezIT

Another course available via Alison, this one provides an introduction to QuickBooks Online — the market-leading accounting software for small businesses. This is an excellent course for new QuickBooks users, whether you’re a business owner or an aspiring accountant. 

Curriculum and skills

During three to four hours of study, you’ll learn the basics of QuickBooks Online — from getting set up to mastering QuickBooks’ key accounting and bookkeeping features. You’ll work through the following seven modules, each one comprising multiple different sections:

• Getting Started with QuickBooks Online
• QuickBooks Company Files
• Customizing Company Files
• Customers
• Sales Transactions
• Products and Services
• Course Assessment

Certification

Like all courses available through Alison, certificates are available to participants who achieve at least 80% across the course’s assignments. 

User reviews

There are no average ratings on Alison, but there are plenty of reviews. This course has been taken by more than 55,000 people so far. Most reviews are very positive, claiming that the course is easy to follow and useful. The video content format was also praised by participants. 

5. Excel for Accountants: Mapping Tables — Udemy

This free Udemy course is designed to help accountants improve their Excel skills to generate accurate accounting reports. Excel has been around for decades, but it’s still a popular tool among accountants for its simple data management and powerful Excel functions.

Excel for Accountants: Mapping Tables is designed and delivered by Jeff Lenning, an award-winning instructor, CPA, and Microsoft Certified Trainer. In addition to producing popular online learning material for accountants, he’s had numerous articles featured in top industry publications, including the Journal of Accountancy and California CPA Magazine.

Curriculum and skills 

This course focuses on a specific Excel use case: mapping tables. You’ll explore the benefits of storing data in Excel tables and learn how to use powerful Excel functions such as SUMIFS. You’ll also get access to practice Excel files, videos, and PowerPoint discussions. 

The course is split into nine individual lectures spread across the following five core sections: 

• Course Introduction
• Tables
• Conditional Summing
• Mapping Tables
• Course Recap

Certification 

Unfortunately, certification isn’t available for free courses on Udemy. 

User reviews

This course has an impressive average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from almost 8,000 ratings. In total, the course has been taken by almost 110,000 people. Participants praise the course’s content and learning outcomes. Many reviews mention how much time they are now saving by applying their new skills. 

6. Accounting Analytics — University of Pennsylvania

This is another excellent course from the University of Pennsylvania and is available on Coursera. Accounting Analytics provides an introduction to the increasingly important world of data analytics and how it can be applied in the field of accounting. The course is completely free and self-guided and is available in 22 languages. 

Curriculum and skills

This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to harness the power of accounting data analytics in your day-to-day practice. Analytics is a game-changer for accountants, enabling them to make smarter, more data-driven decisions and forecasts. 

The course comprises the following four core modules, each containing videos, readings, and quizzes:

• Ratios and Forecasting
• Earnings Management
• Big Data and Prediction Models
• Linking Non-financial Metrics to Financial Performance

Certification

All participants who complete the course will receive a certificate of achievement as proof.

User reviews

This course has an average user rating of 4.5 out of 5 from nearly 3,000 reviews. The course instructor, Brian J Bushee, has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 across five separate courses. In total, more than 112,000 people have taken the course. Participants are very positive about the course’s informative and actionable content. 

7. Challenges in Advanced Management Accounting — The Open University

Challenges in Advanced Management Accounting is an excellent choice for experienced accountants looking for a deeper understanding of management accounting. Provided by The Open University, this course is delivered at an advanced level, and attendees require a working knowledge of basic management accounting principles to take part.

Curriculum and skills

This course is designed to help attendees navigate the challenges of management accounting, enabling them to drive smarter corporate decision-making. It’s divided into the following five modules, each containing multiple sections: 

• Strategic management accounting
• Strategic customer analysis
• Principles of project appraisal
• Dealing with risk and uncertainty in project appraisal
• End-of-course exercises

Certification

The Open University provides a free statement of participation for all attendees upon completion of their free courses. You can use this as proof when applying for jobs or seeking new clients. 

User reviews

This course has an impressive average rating of 4.9 out of 5, although it doesn’t say how many reviews. There are only a couple of written reviews, but they are all positive and focus on how the course helped the learners understand and overcome key challenges in management accounting.

8. Auditing II: The Practice of Auditing — The University of Illinois

Audit is an essential yet highly specialized area of accounting. If you’re a qualified accountant or CPA looking to branch out into auditing, this free course is an excellent option. 

Provided by the University of Illinois and available via Coursera, Auditing II: The Practice of Auditing provides a practical introduction to auditing. It’s a follow-up to the more conceptual introductory course by the same provider, Auditing I: Conceptual Foundations of Auditing.

Curriculum and skills 

This flexible, self-paced course teaches students a framework that they can apply when assessing and managing audit risks and evidence. It’s divided into the following nine modules. Each module contains multiple videos, readings, and quizzes. 

• Introduction to the Course 
• Strategic Analysis of a Client and Its Business Processes
• Audit Evidence and Triangulation
• Strategic Systems Auditing and Internal Controls
• Interpreting Evidence and Significant Business Processes
• Verification of Management Assertions I: Attribute Sampling
• Verification of Management Assertions II: Unit Sampling
• Fraud Risk Assessment
• Completing the Attest Engagement

Certification

Attendees are awarded a certificate upon completion of the course. 

User reviews

This course has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 225 reviews, with 97% of attendees giving it a “thumbs up” on Coursera. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, focusing on the course’s excellent structure, content, and delivery. 

9.  Advanced Valuation and Strategy — Erasmus University Rotterdam

Delivered by Erasmus University Rotterdam, Advanced Valuation and Strategy is another advanced-level course for experienced accountants looking to broaden and deepen their knowledge. If you’re a CPA and looking to branch out into corporate finance roles, this is an excellent primer. 

Curriculum and skills

This self-paced course teaches strategies for effective corporate finance that can be applied in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital. Beyond practical techniques, it explores the psychology and game theory behind strategic decision-making. It’s divided into the following five modules:

• Executive Summary
• Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
• Corporate Strategy
• Corporate Real Options
• Option Games 

Certification

Like other courses available through Coursera, attendees receive a certificate upon completion of the course. 

User reviews

This course has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from more than 1,200 reviews, with 93% of learners giving it a “thumbs up” on Coursera. There are plenty of glowing reviews, with attendees stating that it’s a great resource for anyone interested in corporate finance and decision-making.

10. Advanced Financial Reporting — The University of Illinois

Another free course from the University of Illinois, Advanced Financial Reporting is designed for experienced accountants and CPAs looking to take their reporting capabilities to the next level. It’s a flexible course with around 24 hours’ worth of learning. 

Curriculum and skills

While every accountant understands basic financial reporting, this course introduces more advanced reporting concepts such as business combinations, the preparation of consolidated financial statements, and step-by-step acquisitions. It’s divided into the following nine modules: 

• Course Orientation
• Control of a Business
• Acquisition Method
• Components of Consideration Transferred in a Business Combination
• Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
• Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements After the Acquisition Date
• Intercompany Transactions and Noncontrolling Interest
• Change in the Percentage of Ownership and Other Related Topics
• Segment Reporting and Goodwill Impairment Test

Certification 

Attendees get a certificate upon completion of the course.

User reviews

This course has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from almost 200 reviews. Ninety-eight percent of learners gave it a “thumbs up” on Coursera. Attendees claim that the course is very well structured and handles the complexity of financial consolidation with real clarity.

11. Financial Controller Roles and Responsibilities — Alpha Academy

Available through Alison and delivered by Alpha Academy, Financial Controller Roles and Responsibilities is a short course for accountants looking to further their career as a financial controller. As a CPD-accredited course, it’s an excellent way to grow your knowledge and meet the requirements of your professional accounting body.

Curriculum and skills

The role of financial controller is often misunderstood, due to its overlap with accounting and finance leadership roles. This course explains everything you need to know about what a financial controller does.

There are two modules. The first module is titled Responsibilities of a Financial Controller and includes learning materials on the following areas: 

• Planning, budgeting, and forecasting
• Strategic management and financial audit 

The second module is a course assessment.

Certification

All attendees get a CPD-accredited Alison certificate upon completion of the course. 

User reviews

While there are no average ratings for courses on Alison, more than 4,000 learners have enrolled in this course already. 

12. Agile Accounting: Boosting Efficiency and Reducing Risk — Ross Maynard

Rounding off our list, Agile Accounting is a free course delivered by Ross Maynard, a UK-based chartered accountant and author with more than 30 years of industry experience. 

This flexible, CPD-accredited course looks at how Agile — a project management methodology typically used in software development — can be applied in accounting firms or finance departments. It’s an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve efficiency and transparency across finance accounting projects.

Curriculum and skills   

This course provides a foundational understanding of Agile principles, their advantages, and how they can be applied in a finance environment. 

Beyond theory, learners take a practical look at how Agile methodologies can be applied to key accounting tasks such as budgeting, reporting, and the month-end close process. The course also includes some case studies that bring these ideas to life. 

Certification

As with all Alison courses, learners get a CPD-accredited certificate upon completion of the course. 

User ratings

Again, there are no average ratings or reviews on Alison, but 117 learners have enrolled at the time of writing.

Free online accounting courses: an at-a-glance comparison

To help you understand the differences between the courses we’ve listed in this guide, here’s a handy comparison table. 

Tips for making the most of free online courses

Online learning is an excellent way to expand your knowledge and open new career opportunities, but to enjoy these benefits, you need to approach it in the right way. Here are some simple tips to help you maximize the power of online accounting courses:

• Set clear goals: before you choose a course, figure out what you want to achieve through online learning — whether that’s expanding your skills, earning a certification, or improving your job prospects.
• Schedule study time: make sure you carve out time each week to dedicate to online study. Building learning into your schedule will help you maintain momentum and stay the course.
• Apply what you learn: studying accounting theory is great, but to really solidify your knowledge, you need to put it into action. Wherever possible, try to apply what you’ve learned in real-life situations.
• Dive deeper: most courses provide a surface-level understanding of key concepts. To explore these ideas in more detail, leverage additional resources such as books, video content, or webinars.
• Track your progress: understand how far you’ve come and what you still need to do by using habit trackers, to-do lists, task management apps, and other tools. 
• Leverage certification: once you’ve gained certification, make sure you add it to your CV, resume, and LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your new expertise and commitment to self-improvement. 
• Never stop learning: remember that learning is a lifelong process. Once you’ve completed a course, look for another one that will build on or complement the skills you’ve already learned.

To sum up

Engaging in online accounting courses can be a game-changer. Whether you’re a small business owner, a budding accountant, or interested in a career change, there are tons of great courses that can give you the knowledge and confidence you need to achieve your goals. 

The courses we’ve listed here cover everything from basic accounting principles to niche accounting processes. What’s more, they’re all completely free. When accompanied by accounting blogs, webinars, and podcasts, you have access to a vast amount of accounting knowledge and wisdom in just a few clicks.

To take your accounting career to the next level, however, you need the best tech. With TaxDome, you get all the tools you need to manage accounting tasks, clients, documents, and workflows — all on one award-winning platform. 

To see for yourself how TaxDome can supercharge your accounting work, request a demo today. You can also check out TaxDome Academy — our very own suite of online courses to help you master TaxDome’s core features. Enjoy!