Accounting courses can help you learn financial reporting, budgeting, tax preparation, and auditing principles. You can build skills in analyzing financial statements, managing cash flow, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Many courses introduce tools such as Excel for financial modeling, QuickBooks for bookkeeping, and various accounting software that streamline processes and enhance accuracy. By engaging with these topics and tools, you can gain practical knowledge that prepares you for various roles in finance and business.

University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Return On Investment, Accrual Accounting, Financial Accounting, Capital Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Accounting, Finance, Inventory Accounting, Financial Analysis, Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Portfolio Management, Capital Expenditure, Equities, Cash Flows, Corporate Finance, Forecasting, Cash Flow Forecasting
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Lausanne
Skills you'll gain: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flows, Financial Accounting, Financial Statements, Accounting, Bookkeeping, Working Capital, General Accounting, Accrual Accounting, Financial Reporting, Financial Analysis, Ledgers (Accounting), Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Accounts Payable and Receivable
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

IESE Business School
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Income Statement, Accounting, Cash Flows, Balance Sheet, Accrual Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting, Microsoft Excel, Financial Analysis, Cash Management
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Intuit
Skills you'll gain: Reconciliation, Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Inventory Accounting, Payroll, Bookkeeping, QuickBooks (Accounting Software), Payroll Administration, Inventory Control, Payroll Processing, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Depreciation, Fixed Asset, Payroll Tax, Property Accounting, Accounting Software, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Intuit
Skills you'll gain: Bookkeeping, QuickBooks (Accounting Software), Financial Statements, Accounting Software, Financial Accounting, Ledgers (Accounting), Accounting, Accounting Records, Balance Sheet, Income Statement, General Ledger, Small Business Accounting, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Cash Flows
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Skills you'll gain: Revenue Recognition, Accrual Accounting, Financial Statements, Accounting, Financial Accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Accounting Records, Inventory Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Cash Flows
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Financial Statement Analysis, Accounting, Annual Reports, Accrual Accounting, Income Statement, Financial Analysis, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Accounting Records, Ledgers (Accounting), Cash Flows
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Skills you'll gain: Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, Income Statement, Operating Cost, Cost Management, Inventory Accounting, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Gross Profit, Strategic Decision-Making, Accounting, Product Planning, Resource Allocation, Product Assortment, Depreciation, Financial Accounting, Production Process, Financial Statements, Price Negotiation, Capacity Management, Decision Making
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Cash Flows, Income Statement, Financial Analysis, Financial Accounting, Equities, Revenue Recognition, Working Capital, Balance Sheet, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Accounting, Financial Statements, Financial Reporting, Financial Acumen, Corporate Finance, Corporate Accounting, Case Studies, Revenue Management, Accrual Accounting, Finance, Operational Efficiency
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of California, Irvine
Skills you'll gain: Ledgers (Accounting), Accounting Systems, Accounting, Month End Closing, Accounting Records, Bookkeeping, Financial Accounting, Financial Statements, General Accounting, General Ledger, Accrual Accounting, Standard Accounting Practices, Financial Reporting, Accruals, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Revenue Recognition, Business Ethics, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Reconciliation
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Corporate Finance Institute
Skills you'll gain: Income Statement, Financial Statements, Accounting, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Bookkeeping, Financial Modeling, Cash Flows, Financial Analysis
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Skills you'll gain: Balance Sheet, Financial Statements, Income Statement, Management Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, Performance Measurement, Organizational Strategy, Capacity Management, Cost Accounting, Cost Control, Financial Reporting, Performance Metric, Asset Management, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Budgeting, Budget Management, Accounting, Business Metrics, Small Business Accounting
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Browse the accounting courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.
These beginner-friendly courses introduce essential concepts like balance sheets, debits and credits, and financial statements:
The Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization by the University of Pennsylvania lasts 4 weeks and focuses on:
It uses tools like R.
On the other hand, the Financial Accounting: Master Core Concepts & Analysis by EDUCBA also spans 4 weeks but emphasizes:
It uses tools like Python and Excel.
Both courses cover core accounting and financial analysis topics but differ in specific areas of focus. Choose based on whether you prefer:
Start by identifying whether you're building a foundation, preparing for certification, or applying accounting in business, finance, or data roles.
Click here to ask ChatGPT to find the right accounting course on Coursera for your learning goals.‎
Yes. You can start learning accounting on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in accounting, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎
Accounting courses cover core concepts like financial statements, balance sheets, debits and credits, and cash flow. Some courses also teach you how to use spreadsheets or accounting software, and how to apply accounting principles in business or tax settings.‎
No prior experience is needed. Many Coursera courses start with the basics and build your understanding step by step, so you can learn at your own pace—even if you’re completely new to accounting.‎