Coursera

Accounting Assistant Professional Certificate

Coursera

Accounting Assistant Professional Certificate

Build Accounting Career with AI and QuickBooks.

Learn bookkeeping, QuickBooks, Excel, and AI tools to record, reconcile, and report with confidence.

Access provided by CalArts

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise
Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 months to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise
Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 months to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Record financial transactions using double-entry bookkeeping principles and manage ledgers in QuickBooks.

  • Process accounts payable and receivable, apply three-way match controls, and generate ageing reports.

  • Use Excel formulas, pivot tables, and data validation to analyze spending patterns and budget variances.

  • Automate invoice data entry with AI and OCR tools, detect anomalies, and evaluate automation ROI.

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Taught in English
Recently updated!

March 2026

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Professional Certificate - 11 course series

What you'll learn

  • Build complete month-end accounting packages using double-entry principles and modern accounting software like QuickBooks.

  • Process raw transaction data efficiently using spreadsheet shortcuts and data import tools for accurate financial records.

  • Create balanced trial balances by recording transactions, posting adjusting entries, and verifying ledger accuracy.

  • Develop professional accounting workflows combining bookkeeping fundamentals with digital efficiency techniques.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Month End Closing
Category: Accrual Accounting
Category: Data Entry
Category: General Ledger
Category: Accounting Records
Category: Data Validation
Category: Bookkeeping
Category: Accounting
Category: Transaction Processing
Category: Reconciliation
Category: Accounting Systems
Category: Data Transformation
Category: General Accounting
Category: Microsoft Excel
Category: Spreadsheet Software
Category: Data Import/Export
Category: QuickBooks (Accounting Software)
Category: Accounting Software
Category: Expense Management
Accounts Payable and Receivable Workflow Management

Accounts Payable and Receivable Workflow Management

Course 2, 7 hours

What you'll learn

  • Build complete AP/AR workflow systems including three-way match controls, payment processing, and compliance documentation.

  • Create automated invoice templates with tax calculations and generate aging reports for effective cash flow management.

  • Document end-to-end financial processes and implement standardized procedures for accounts payable and receivable operations.

  • Master Excel automation for invoice creation and QuickBooks for payment tracking to streamline accounting workflows.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Financial Controls
Category: Accounting Software
Category: Data Entry
Category: Workflow Management
Category: Billing & Invoicing
Category: Invoicing
Category: Payment Processing
Category: Excel Formulas
Category: Document Management
Category: Accounting Records
Category: Verification And Validation
Category: Accounts Receivable
Category: Tax Compliance
Category: Accounts Payable and Receivable
Category: Spreadsheet Software
Category: Business Process Automation
Category: Accounts Payable

What you'll learn

  • Process payroll data with federal withholding compliance and create systematic checklists for accurate employee payment verification procedures.

  • Audit expense reports against company policies, identify non-compliant items, and calculate approved reimbursement amounts effectively.

  • Navigate QuickBooks Chart of Accounts, record business transactions with proper classification, and generate vendor spending reports.

  • Establish vendor communication protocols, diagram escalation workflows, and maintain comprehensive interaction logs for payment disputes.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Data Entry
Category: Expense Management
Category: Accounts Payable
Category: Verification And Validation
Category: QuickBooks (Accounting Software)
Category: Workflow Management
Category: Document Management
Category: Expense Reports
Category: Communication Planning
Category: Payroll Processing
Category: Accounting Records
Category: Vendor Relationship Management
Category: Compliance Management
Category: Payroll Administration

What you'll learn

  • Execute bank reconciliations using QuickBooks to identify discrepancies and create adjusting entries for accurate financial reporting.

  • Apply fraud detection principles through systematic reconciliation processes that serve as critical internal controls.

  • Build cash flow forecasting models in Excel to predict short-term liquidity needs and identify potential cash deficits.

  • Analyze financial records against external statements to investigate variances and recommend process improvements.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Cash Flow Forecasting
Category: Cash Management
Category: Revenue Management
Category: Internal Controls
Category: Standard Accounting Practices
Category: Cash Flows
Category: Financial Statements
Category: Accounts Payable and Receivable
Category: Financial Forecasting
Category: Accounting and Finance Software
Category: Financial Modeling
Category: General Ledger
Category: Reconciliation
Category: QuickBooks (Accounting Software)
Category: Fraud detection
Category: Revenue Forecasting
Category: Accounting Records
Category: Financial Accounting
Category: Financial Controls
Category: Accounting

What you'll learn

  • Compile income statements from trial balance data using spreadsheet formulas and classify accounts within financial statements.

  • Apply double-entry bookkeeping principles to record transactions and verify that financial balances remain accurate.

  • Execute month-end closing procedures including prepaid expense schedules and reconciliation of account balances.

  • Calculate and analyze key financial ratios to identify performance variances and communicate insights to stakeholders.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Accounting Records
Category: Excel Formulas
Category: QuickBooks (Accounting Software)
Category: Financial Reporting
Category: Expense Management
Category: Balance Sheet
Category: General Ledger
Category: Income Statement
Category: Financial Accounting
Category: Business Metrics
Category: Month End Closing
Category: Reconciliation
Category: Financial Forecasting
Category: Financial Statements
Category: Accounting
Category: Financial Analysis
Category: Financial Management
Category: Bookkeeping
Category: Variance Analysis

What you'll learn

  • Create comprehensive audit evidence packages using industry-standard documentation and naming conventions for compliance reviews.

  • Verify payment controls and approvals through systematic checklist procedures to ensure financial transaction compliance.

  • Execute standard SAP transactions for invoice processing and payment tracking using proper system codes and procedures.

  • Integrate audit support, control verification, and system operations skills to deliver professional accounting deliverables.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Transaction Processing
Category: Financial Controls
Category: Accounting Records
Category: Verification And Validation
Category: Accounting Systems
Category: Internal Controls
Category: Auditing
Category: Compliance Auditing
Category: SAP Applications
Category: Payment Systems
Category: Document Management
Category: Auditors Report
Category: Audit Planning
Category: Accounts Payable
Category: Fraud detection
Category: Financial Auditing
Accounting Workflow Automation with Excel and AI

Accounting Workflow Automation with Excel and AI

Course 7, 12 hours

What you'll learn

  • Build AI-powered invoice processing systems using OCR technology to automate data entry and validate accuracy for accounting workflows.

  • Create advanced Excel templates with data validation, conditional formatting, and complex formulas for financial analysis and reporting.

  • Analyze accounting processes to identify inefficiencies and implement measurable improvements that save time and reduce error.

  • Evaluate automation ROI by comparing manual vs. automated workflows and present business cases for technology investments.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Fraud detection
Category: Pivot Tables And Charts
Category: Accounting Records
Category: Anomaly Detection
Category: Process Improvement
Category: Excel Formulas
Category: Business Process
Category: Business Workflow Analysis
Category: Accounts Payable
Category: Invoicing
Category: Accounting and Finance Software
Category: Expense Management
Category: Data Validation
Category: Variance Analysis
Category: Return On Investment
Category: Microsoft Excel
Category: AI Workflows
Category: Accounting Systems
Category: Workflow Management
Category: Business Process Automation

What you'll learn

  • Build three-way matching systems to verify vendor invoices against purchase orders and receipts before payment authorization.

  • Configure automated billing workflows in QuickBooks with recurring invoices, payment reminders, and customer-specific terms.

  • Analyze aged receivables and DSO metrics to prioritize collections while investigating and resolving billing disputes.

  • Reconcile bank statements with internal records and resolve subsidiary ledger discrepancies to ensure financial accuracy.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Ledgers (Accounting)
Category: Accounting Software
Category: Record Keeping
Category: Payment Processing and Collection
Category: QuickBooks (Accounting Software)
Category: Billing & Invoicing
Category: Bookkeeping
Category: General Ledger
Category: Invoicing
Category: Accounts Receivable
Category: Automation
Category: Transaction Processing
Category: Process Optimization
Category: Accounts Payable and Receivable
Category: Reconciliation
Category: Accounts Payable
Category: Financial Accounting
Category: Billing Systems
Category: Billing
Category: Auditing

What you'll learn

  • Apply GAAP principles and double-entry bookkeeping to create accurate journal entries and verify trial balance integrity.

  • Analyze budget variances and audit documentation to identify discrepancies and ensure compliance with accounting standards.

  • Build systematic digital filing systems with proper retention policies and metadata indexing for efficient document retrieval.

  • Develop process improvement recommendations and corrective action plans based on audit findings and compliance gaps.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Compliance Auditing
Category: Verification And Validation
Category: Document Management
Category: Accounting Systems
Category: Auditing
Category: Audit Planning
Category: Budget Management
Category: Financial Auditing
Category: File Management
Category: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Category: Variance Analysis
Category: Accounting
Category: Bookkeeping
Category: Compliance Reporting
Category: Reconciliation
Category: Record Keeping
Category: Accounting Records
Category: Compliance Training
Category: Ledgers (Accounting)
Category: Standard Accounting Practices

What you'll learn

  • Build a competency-driven resume and LinkedIn profile that positions you as a technology-enabled accounting professional ready for entry-level roles.

  • Create portfolio work samples—reconciliations, journal entries, and spreadsheet tools—that prove your accounting competency to employers.

  • Practice accounting interview scenarios and develop structured responses that demonstrate technical accuracy and professional communication.

  • Execute a 30-day career launch plan covering job applications, networking, and skill development in accounting operations.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Accounts Payable and Receivable
Category: AI Enablement
Category: Productivity Software
Category: Accounting Software
Category: Microsoft Excel
Category: Accounting
Category: Payroll Processing
Category: Reconciliation
Category: Cash Management
Category: Strategic Communication
Category: Professional Networking
Category: Interviewing Skills
Category: Record Keeping
Category: QuickBooks (Accounting Software)
Category: Portfolio Management
Capstone: Accounting Assistant with AI Skills

Capstone: Accounting Assistant with AI Skills

Course 11, 2 hours

What you'll learn

  • Build a portfolio of accounting work samples that demonstrate job readiness.

  • Write a competency-driven resume and optimize your LinkedIn for accounting roles.

  • Practice technical interview responses for real accounting scenarios.

  • Apply accounts payable, payroll, and reconciliation skills in workplace contexts.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Financial Auditing
Category: Accounting
Category: Financial Forecasting
Category: Month End Closing
Category: Process Mapping
Category: General Accounting
Category: Accounting Software
Category: Financial Accounting
Category: Standard Accounting Practices
Category: Process Design
Category: Accounts Payable
Category: Bookkeeping
Category: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Category: Ledgers (Accounting)
Category: Accounting Systems
Category: Business Planning
Category: Accounting Records
Category: Financial Analysis
Category: Business Workflow Analysis
Category: Workflow Management

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Instructor

Professionals from the Industry
339 Courses48,649 learners

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¹Career improvement (i.e. promotion, raise) based on Coursera learner outcome survey responses, United States, 2021.