Posted by Cedric Joshua Martinez
Jul 28, 2020
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As an accountant, you need to be a lifelong learner to stay competitive. Employers, both from the country and abroad, are on the constant lookout for candidates in the Philippines who give importance to learning and upskilling, especially as talent shortage in the industry persists.
Thankfully, there are free online accounting courses that you can take to improve your skills without breaking your bank.
In this article, we'll discuss the top free online accounting courses that you can take to make your resume stand out, whether you’re new to accounting or just want to brush up on what you already know. Plus, we’ll share tips to help you stay focused and finish your course with ease.
Top Free Online Accounting Courses with Certificates
Here are some of the best free online accounting courses you can take:
1. Introduction to Financial Accounting by the Wharton School
This course is ideal for beginners and practicing professionals who want to refresh their knowledge of the basics accounting. Even if you're not an accountant but work in finance, this course can give you a useful overview of accounting basics.
- Duration: About 4 weeks (5-6 hours per week)
- Certificate: Available
- Assessment: Quizzes
- Time to complete: Approx. 13 hours
In this course, you’ll cover essential concepts and gain skills that apply to real-life financial situations. It’s a great starting point if you want to understand financial accounting better or just need a refresher.
2. Saylor Academy’s Business Administration Catalog
Saylor Academy is one of the world’s oldest and leading alternative education and accreditation systems. In its business administration catalog, learners can access courses on business fundamentals, accounting, finance, marketing, communication, and business management.
- Duration: 33 to 93 hours, depending on the course
- Certificate: Yes
- Assessment: Quizzes
Saylor Academy’s courses are helpful for those who want a broader understanding of business and finance. You can dive into accounting while also picking up other useful business skills.
3. Blockchain for Business – An Introduction to Hyperledger Technologies
This course aims to provide introductory knowledge of blockchain technology to technical and non-technical audiences; a topic that’s becoming more popular in finance and accounting. You’ll also learn about Hyperledger, a collaborative project under the Linux Foundation.
- Duration: 10 weeks (recommended: take the course 2-4 hours per week)
- Certificate: Available upon upgrade
- Assessment: Graded assignments and exams are available upon upgrade
Blockchain is changing the way we keep financial records, making it more secure and transparent. Understanding blockchain can give you an edge in the accounting world, as more companies start to use this technology.
4. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
In collaboration with edX, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) offers a stellar framework of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). These courses cover a wide spectrum, from basic financial accounting and bookkeeping to advanced managerial roles of accountants.
- Duration: 4 to 12 weeks (about 3 months), depending on the course you’ll take
- Certificate: Available upon upgrade
- Assessment method: Quizzes
By taking these courses, you can improve your skills, earn a certificate, and open upbe prepared for more job opportunities—both here and internationally. It’s a simple way to stay competitive and grow in your career.
5. Software Certification Courses
Accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks is often essential in today’s market. These free online bookkeeping courses focus on the tools you’ll need to handle bookkeeping and manage client accounts.
- Xero Certification for Accountants and Bookkeepers: Teaches you to use Xero, a popular accounting software.
- QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification: Shows your skills in QuickBooks, a tool that’s widely used by small businesses.
Both certifications give you practical skills that clients appreciate. Knowing these tools can help you save time, work more efficiently, and even attract more clients.
6. Alison’s Introduction to Management Accounting Theory and Techniques
This free online course is a good option if you’re just starting out or want to learn management accounting basics. Topics include budgeting, controlling costs, and understanding financial statements.
- Duration: 6 to 10 hours
- Certificate: Available for a small fee
- Assessment: Quizzes
This beginner-friendly course helps you understand how to make better business decisions based on financial data. It’s a great fit if you’re interested in working with budgets and managing finances.
Read: 5 Reasons Why Accounting Professionals Need a Mentor
Tips to Improve Focus and Concentration to Finish the Course
Let's be honest, finishing an online course is not an easy task to begin with, especially if the pace for finishing is up to you.
To help you stay on track and finish the course, here are some tips to improve your focus and concentration:
1. Set a specific goal for each day
This will help you stay focused on what needs to be done and prevent you from getting overwhelmed by the amount of work that still needs to be completed.
2. Create a schedule
Having a set time each day when you can work on your course will make it easier for you to stay motivated and avoid procrastination.
3. Limit your distractions
Find a quiet place to study. Turn off notifications on your phone and let others know you’re studying to avoid interruptions.
4. Use technology to your advantage
There are many apps and tools available that block certain websites or apps for a certain amount of time. This will help you stay focused on your studies and avoid distractions.
5. Take Regular Breaks
Avoid burnout by taking short, regular breaks. The Pomodoro technique—working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break—can be highly effective.
6. Celebrate Small Wins
When you complete a section or pass a quiz, acknowledge it. These small wins can keep you motivated to finish the course.
Work with a Well-Rounded Team
If you’re interested in learning and working with well-rounded team of accountants who can help you, consider working with D&V Philippines.
We offer career growth opportunities through various training opportunities and global-client exposure, generous benefits package, and an amazing work environment.
You may visit our recruitment page to discover the various positions currently available within our organization. You can also download our whitepaper Employees to Partners: How D&V Philippines Invests in its People to learn about our employee-centric approach and how we can assist you in achieving your career goals.
This post was first published on 28 July 2020 and edited on 05 November 2024. Edited by: Angelica Garcia
