Explore the best online accounting courses
Discover how edX online accounting courses offer an expert-taught, career-aligned education while emphasizing the academic flexibility busy professionals need.
Key takeaways
- Discover online accounting courses to build financial reporting, budgeting, tax, and decision-making skills on a flexible schedule.
- Plan for a bachelor's degree if pursuing roles like accountant, budget analyst, or financial manager.
- Compare accounting career outcomes: 2024 median salaries range from $81,680 for accountants to $161,700 for financial managers.
Popular online accounting courses with certificates
What is accounting?
Accounting is the process of recording, organizing, and analyzing financial information to create reports that help businesses understand their financial health and make informed decisions. These reports also help investors, lenders, regulators, and other stakeholders evaluate an organization's financial performance.
Accountants collect and interpret financial data, prepare financial statements, ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations, and provide guidance on budgeting, taxes, and financial planning. Their work supports accurate reporting and helps organizations operate more effectively.
Two of the most common types of accounting are:
- Financial accounting: Focuses on recording and reporting a company's financial transactions through standardized financial statements, such as the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. These reports are primarily intended for external audiences, including investors, lenders, and regulators.
- Managerial accounting: Focuses on analyzing financial information to support internal decision-making. Managers use this information for budgeting, cost management, forecasting, performance evaluation, and strategic planning.
Why learn accounting?
- Expand your career opportunities: Build skills that are valued across industries, from healthcare and technology to retail and entertainment.
- Increase your earning potential: Prepare for in-demand accounting and finance roles with strong salary prospects.
- Make smarter financial decisions: Learn to interpret financial information to manage budgets better and evaluate business performance.
Browse online accounting certificates
Find new interests and advance your career opportunities
Stand out in your field
Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.
Learn at your own pace
On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.
Earn a valuable credential
Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.
Certificates
Careers you can pursue with an accounting background
An accounting background, such as a college certificate or professional certification, may help you qualify for careers like those below. Keep in mind that these and similar opportunities also require a college education.
Accountant
Accountants analyze financial statements, prepare tax forms, and help managers reduce business expenses.
- Required education: Bachelor's degree
- Median annual salary (2024): $81,680
Accountant
Accountants analyze financial statements, prepare tax forms, and help managers reduce business expenses.
- Required education: Bachelor's degree
- Median annual salary (2024): $81,680
Why learn accounting online with edX
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Steps to get started in accounting
Getting started in accounting involves learning the basics, using that information to guide your business decisions, and developing specialized skills. Explore edX accounting courses that can help you with each of these steps.
1. Learn the foundations of accounting
If you lack an accounting background, start with introductory edX courses from top colleges, including the London School of Economics and Political Science. Many offer an optional certificate you can use to improve your résumé.
Featured courses
1. Learn the foundations of accounting
If you lack an accounting background, start with introductory edX courses from top colleges, including the London School of Economics and Political Science. Many offer an optional certificate you can use to improve your résumé.