12 top online accounting courses for small business owners

For small business owners, mastering the basics of accounting can be an excellent step toward long-term success. Whether you’re just starting out with basic bookkeeping or looking to sharpen your financial management skills, online accounting courses offer a convenient and effective way to build your expertise. 

With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right program; but with more and more one-person businesses popping up, there are plenty of entrepreneurs looking to take control of their finances.

Finding good accounting courses online means having flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace while balancing the demands of running a business. Whether you’re looking to earn a certification, deepen your understanding of financial principles, or simply stay organized, this guide will walk you through the best options available to meet your needs.

1. Corporate Finance Institute: Accounting Fundamentals

2. QuickBooks Training

3. Wharton: Accounting Analytics

4. Wharton: Fundamentals of Finance

5. University of Virginia: Managerial Accounting Fundamentals

6. Wharton: Introduction to Financial Accounting

7. Purdue University: Business Accounting Basics

8. Babson College: Financial Accounting Made Fun

9. University of Illinois: Fundamentals of Accounting

10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Financial Accounting

11. Intuit Academy: Bookkeeping Professional Certificate

12. Harvard Business School Online: Financial Accounting

The benefits of an accounting certification

Streamline your accounting and save time

1. Corporate Finance Institute: Accounting Fundamentals

Best for: Learning the basics of accounting

Price: Free

Estimated time commitment: ~5 hours 

The Corporate Finance Institute’s Accounting Fundamentals course is great for those with little or no accounting experience. It works well for people new to finance or business owners looking to get a better understanding of accounting before moving on to more complex topics.

The course covers learning key accounting terms, recording financial transactions, and creating and using financial statements. It’s a good starting point for those wanting a basic understanding of accounting. However, it focuses on the fundamentals and may not be sufficient for in-depth accounting knowledge.

2. QuickBooks Training

Best for: Learning QuickBooks 

Price: Starts at $599.95

Estimated time commitment: ~10 hours 

QuickBooks Training is perfect for small business owners who already have their hands full with running their business. Accounting software can help you manage your employees and gain insights into what’s working best.

Used properly, it can help automate time-consuming tasks and reduce human error. This course gives you the skills you need to use QuickBooks software and you can go at your own pace. You’ll learn about journal entries, how to record transactions and create reports, ways to customize QuickBooks for your specific business, and more.

3. Wharton: Accounting Analytics

Best for: Learning how to use accounting data beyond the basics

Price: $79.00 per month

Estimated time commitment: ~9 hours 

Wharton's Accounting Analytics course goes beyond understanding accounting data to analyzing the accounting information they have. This works well for business owners looking for free online accounting courses to get a high-level overview of their business’s financial plumbing (and performance).

The online accounting course explores how you can use financial data and other nonfinancial metrics to understand and improve business performance. For example, how to use data to forecast future financial scenarios and how accounting data helps you gain insights into various business insights, such as consumer behavior and strategy.

4. Wharton: Fundamentals of Finance

Best for: Learning the basics of corporate finance

Price: $95.00

Estimated time commitment: ~9 hours 

Wharton’s Fundamentals of Finance course is great for building a foundational understanding of business finance. This course provides a foundational understanding of corporate finance with concepts like the time value of money.

You don’t need any knowledge or experience to enroll, but you should be comfortable with high school math. This finance program consists of four modules that progressively cover the basics of finance, like valuation.

5. University of Virginia: Managerial Accounting Fundamentals

Best for: Learning managerial accounting

Price: Free with optional upgrade 

Estimated time commitment: ~13 hours 

The University of Virginia’s Managerial Accounting Fundamentals course is designed to teach you the basics of managerial accounting. Managerial accounting is a field of accounting focused on providing information to managers for internal decision-making.

The online accounting course is valuable for anyone who wants to understand how businesses use cost data for decision-making. For example, calculating and allocating overhead costs using costing methods or distinguishing relevant from irrelevant costs to make informed decisions.

6. Wharton: Introduction to Financial Accounting

Best for: Learning how to analyze financial data 

Price: $79.00 per month

Estimated time commitment: ~13 hours 

Wharton’s Introduction to Financial Accounting course covers various aspects of financial accounting, from financial statements to ratio analysis. The keys to this course include learning to read and understand financial statements and calculate key financial metrics.

The course is a good starting point for those interested in learning the basics of financial accounting. However, if you're looking for a more in-depth program with hands-on exercises, you might want to consider other options.

7. Purdue University: Business Accounting Basics

Best for: Learning the principles of financial accounting 

Price: Free with optional upgrade 

Estimated time commitment: ~15 hours 

Purdue University’s Business Accounting Basics course teaches the fundamentals of financial accounting. Beyond learning about financial statements, this course provides materials for analyzing a company’s financial health.

It’s good for anyone who wants to understand the basics of accounting, including those with no prior accounting knowledge. For example, you’ll learn about break-even analysis, target profit analysis, and understanding operating leverage.

8. BabsonX: Financial Accounting Made Fun

Best for: Getting a better understanding of financial statements 

Price: Free with optional upgrade 

Estimated time commitment: ~20 hours 

The BabsonX: Financial Accounting Made Fun course from Babson College is great for helping users understand various financial statements. It breaks down statements, how to interpret them, and how to use key financial ratios to analyze your company’s performance.

The course also covers more detailed topics than other courses on our list, such as financial forecasting. These advanced topics can help business owners who need to make detailed financial decisions about their company.

9. University of Illinois: Fundamentals of Accounting Specialization

Best for: Learning financial and managerial accounting 

Price: Free with optional upgrade

Estimated time commitment: ~80 hours 

The University of Illinois Fundamentals of Accounting Specialization is a five-course series that’s more comprehensive than others on our list. Taking roughly two months at 10 hours per week to complete, it covers both financial and managerial accounting.

It’s a more comprehensive option for business owners who want to understand the different types of accounting information and analytical tools and techniques to use that information. For example, its five courses focus on understanding financial statements and accounting topics for business decision-making.

10. MITx: Financial Accounting 

Best for: High levels of coverage, rigor, and depth.

Price: Free with optional upgrade 

Estimated time commitment: ~168 hours 

The MITx Financial Accounting course from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the most intensive on our list. It takes roughly 12 weeks to complete and requires 10-14 hours per week. This course is a deep dive into the fundamentals of financial accounting, helping business owners understand financial statements and company performance.

This is a more advanced course that covers advanced accounting topics like accrual accounting and revenue recognition. You should have some experience with topics like algebra and statistics.

11. Intuit Academy Bookkeeping Professional Certificate

Best for: Launching a bookkeeping career or managing your small business finances

Price: Free

Estimated time commitment: ~3-4 weeks (at 10 hours per week)

When it comes to learning the ins and outs of bookkeeping, the Intuit Academy Bookkeeping Professional Certificate is an option that stands out for those wanting to get into bookkeeping professionally and also those who just seek to better handle their own books.

Designed for beginners, offering a solid foundation in bookkeeping principles and practices, covering essential skills like managing accounts payable and receivable, reconciling bank statements, and tracking financial transactions, all of it illustrated through real-world exercises that’ll let you get your hands dirty solving real problems. The course also prepares you for the Intuit Bookkeeping Certification exam.

12. Harvard Business School Online: Financial Accounting

Best for: Gaining a deeper, academic understanding of financial accounting

Price: $1,850

Estimated time commitment: ~8 weeks (at 8-10 hours per week)

If you’re looking for a course that dives deep into the "why" behind accounting practices, the Harvard Business School Online: Financial Accounting program is an excellent choice. This course is designed to provide a rigorous and comprehensive exploration of financial accounting fundamentals, so it’s a good way to dive in head-first or to follow up after one of the other courses discussed in this article.

The Harvard Business School Online: Financial Accounting course is one of the premier online accounting certificate courses. It offers a rigorous exploration of financial accounting fundamentals and a clear focus on the "why" behind different accounting practices. It’s ideal for business owners and professionals seeking a deeper, academic understanding of financial principles.

You’ll learn to interpret financial statements, analyze performance metrics, and apply these insights to real-world business decisions. While academically focused, the course bridges theory with practical applications. However, it may be too advanced for beginners or those looking for hands-on bookkeeping skills.

The benefits of an accounting certification

Earning an accounting certification can be a game-changer for small business owners and aspiring professionals alike. It not only validates your expertise but also equips you with the skills to make smarter financial decisions, boost credibility, and open doors to new career opportunities– and there are many free online accounting courses with certificates to choose from.

By studying for the Intuit Bookkeeping Certification or taking courses from institutions like Harvard Business School Online, you can cultivate practical knowledge that can help you manage your books more effectively or stand out in a competitive job market. Plus, many programs offer flexible learning options, allowing you to balance your studies with your busy schedule.

Flexibility and accessibility

One of the biggest benefits of pursuing an accounting certification online is its flexibility and accessibility. These programs allow individuals to learn at their own pace and from any location, making it easy to fit studies around existing commitments like jobs or family responsibilities.

Beyond convenience, the online approach saves time and money by eliminating the need for daily commutes. Plus, technology enables learners to focus on specific topics that align with their career goals, creating a tailored learning experience that’s both efficient and effective. 

Whether managing a small business or working toward a promotion, this flexibility ensures you can gain valuable skills without disrupting your life.

Practical advantages for financial management

An accounting certification offers significant practical advantages for improving financial management skills. It goes beyond simple number-crunching, providing a holistic understanding of accounting principles essential for running a business or advancing your career.

This comprehensive knowledge helps build a robust financial toolkit, empowering you to make smarter decisions, assess a company’s economic health, and confidently navigate complex financial scenarios. 

For small business owners, this means better budgeting, improved cash flow management, and the ability to spot potential financial risks before they become problems. For professionals, it translates to greater confidence and competence in managing finances strategically.

Choosing the right certification for your career (CPA vs. CMA)

When deciding between official accounting certifications, the choice often boils down to choosing between the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Each certification serves a different purpose, and the right choice depends on your career aspirations.

The CPA covers broad general accounting topics, strongly emphasizing tax-related matters and public accounting services. It’s ideal for those who want to audit financial statements, prepare taxes for clients, or work in public accounting. 

On the other hand, the CMA dives deeper into management and strategic decision-making, focusing on areas like financial analysis, budgeting, and performance management within an organization. This makes it a better fit for professionals who guide internal business strategy or take on leadership roles.

Ultimately, aligning the certification with your professional goals is crucial. Whether you aspire to be a financial strategist or a public accounting expert, choosing the right path ensures your efforts translate into meaningful career growth.

Streamline your accounting and save time

Finding the right accounting courses online can make all the difference for small business owners looking to streamline their financial management. Whether you’re just starting or aiming to advance your skills, the courses we’ve covered provide valuable tools to help you succeed.

If you’re interested, QuickBooks allows you to dramatically simplify bookkeeping, track expenses, and generate detailed financial reports—all in one place. While you’re learning the fundamentals of accounting theory, you can explore how our accounting platform can save you time and boost your confidence. Start your journey today by signing up for a free trial.