• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Financial Accounting

    Financial Accounting Courses Online

    Master financial accounting for accurate financial reporting. Learn to prepare and analyze financial statements in compliance with accounting standards.

    Skip to search results

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *

    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *

    Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.
    Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.
    Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.
    Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.
    Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.
    Earn career credentials while taking courses that count towards your Master’s degree.
    Earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.
    Earn a university-issued career credential in a flexible, interactive format.
    Graduate level learning within reach.

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Explore the Financial Accounting Course Catalog

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Accounting for Decision Making

      Skills you'll gain: Bookkeeping, Financial Statements, Accounting, Depreciation, Cash Flows, Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Financial Analysis, Inventory Accounting, Financial Reporting, Accrual Accounting, Business Metrics, Revenue Recognition, Asset Management

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      468 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Governmental Accounting and Reporting I

      Skills you'll gain: Fund Accounting, Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting, Non-Profit Accounting, Accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), General Ledger, Financial Statements, Cash Flows, Accrual Accounting, Revenue Recognition, Depreciation, Reconciliation, Budgeting, Accountability

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      6 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • A

      Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)

      ADP Entry-Level Payroll Specialist

      Skills you'll gain: Payroll, Payroll Processing, Payroll Systems, Payroll Administration, Payroll Tax, Payroll Reporting, Compensation Strategy, Tax Management, Data Entry, Employee Onboarding, Labor Compliance, Human Resource Strategy, Compensation Management, Non-Profit Accounting, Tax Compliance, Human Resources, Benefits Administration, Specialized Accounting, Record Keeping, Accounting

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      421 reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • D

      Duke University

      Financial Management

      Skills you'll gain: Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Statements, Return On Investment, Risk Management, Balance Sheet, Accounts Receivable, Business Risk Management, Credit Risk, Income Statement, Stakeholder Communications, Operational Risk, Resource Allocation, Proposal Development, Cash Management, Accounts Payable, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Capital Budgeting, Financial Analysis, Cash Flows, Financial Data

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      131 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: AI skills
      AI skills
      M

      Microsoft

      Microsoft Business Analyst

      Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Power Platform, Excel Formulas, Process Flow Diagrams, Business Process Modeling, User Story, Business Requirements, Stakeholder Management, Data Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visio, Software Development Life Cycle, Requirements Analysis, Requirements Elicitation, Quality Management, Pivot Tables And Charts, Power BI, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Scrum (Software Development), Business Analysis, Project Management

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      950 reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Pennsylvania

      Fintech: Foundations & Applications of Financial Technology

      Skills you'll gain: FinTech, Portfolio Management, Consumer Lending, Return On Investment, Blockchain, Cryptography, Credit/Debit Card Processing, Digital Assets, Financial Services, Payment Processing, Investments, Lending and Underwriting, Investment Management, Technology Strategies, Emerging Technologies, Risk Analysis, Fundraising and Crowdsourcing, Financial Market, Market Analysis, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.7K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • N

      New York Institute of Finance

      Risk Management

      Skills you'll gain: Credit Risk, Operational Risk, Risk Management, Risk Management Framework, Business Risk Management, Risk Modeling, Risk Mitigation, Financial Market, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Risk Appetite, Risk Control, Derivatives, Governance, Portfolio Management, Risk Analysis, Capital Markets, Investment Management, Financial Analysis, Market Data, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.3K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Business Value and Project Management

      Skills you'll gain: Organizational Change, Revenue Recognition, Organizational Structure, Governance, Financial Statements, Agile Methodology, Organizational Strategy, Waterfall Methodology, Organizational Leadership, Accrual Accounting, Project Closure, Business Management, Organizational Effectiveness, Business Ethics, Cash Flows, Change Management, Financial Accounting, Project Implementation, Project Planning, Bookkeeping

      Build toward a degree

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      7.5K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • T

      Tally Education and Distribution Services Private Limited

      Tally Bookkeeper

      Skills you'll gain: Accounts Payable and Receivable, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Bookkeeping, Accounting Software, Budgeting, Accounting and Finance Software, Tax Returns, Data Import/Export, Inventory Management System, Order Management, Tax Management, General Ledger, Inventory Accounting, Tax Compliance, Inventory Control, Banking Services, Cost Management, Payroll Tax, Invoicing

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      191 reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • D

      Duke University

      Financial Statements

      Skills you'll gain: Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Statements, Financial Analysis, Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Financial Reporting, Business Metrics, Financial Data, Performance Measurement, Cash Flows

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      27 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Pennsylvania

      Finance & Quantitative Modeling for Analysts

      Skills you'll gain: Return On Investment, Financial Reporting, Capital Budgeting, Financial Statements, Financial Modeling, Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Regression Analysis, Business Modeling, Income Statement, Financial Analysis, Risk Analysis, Cash Flows, Business Mathematics, Financial Planning, Corporate Finance, Predictive Analytics, Spreadsheet Software, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      17K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • C

      Corporate Finance Institute

      Preparatory Certificate in Finance and Financial Markets

      Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Financial Statement Analysis, Annual Reports, Mergers & Acquisitions, Income Statement, Financial Analysis, Business Valuation, Banking Services, Credit Risk, Loans, Capital Expenditure, Corporate Finance, Financial Statements, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Capital Markets, Financial Services, Financial Trading, Corporate Sustainability, Financial Market, Wealth Management

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      319 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Financial Accounting learners also search

    Accounting
    Beginner Accounting
    Financial Management
    Advanced Accounting
    Financial Analysis
    Financial Engineering
    Financial Modeling
    Financial Trading
    1…567…120

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular financial accounting courses

    • Accounting for Decision Making: University of Michigan
    • Governmental Accounting and Reporting I : University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • ADP Entry-Level Payroll Specialist: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
    • Financial Management: Duke University
    • Microsoft Business Analyst: Microsoft
    • Fintech: Foundations & Applications of Financial Technology: University of Pennsylvania
    • Risk Management: New York Institute of Finance
    • Business Value and Project Management: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Tally Bookkeeper: Tally Education and Distribution Services Private Limited
    • Financial Statements: Duke University

    Skills you can learn in Finance

    Investment (23)
    Market (economics) (20)
    Stock (18)
    Financial Statement (14)
    Financial Accounting (13)
    Modeling (13)
    Corporate Finance (11)
    Financial Analysis (11)
    Trading (11)
    Evaluation (10)
    Financial Markets (10)
    Pricing (10)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Financial Accounting

    Financial accounting is the process of recording, categorizing, and reporting the transactions of a business. In contrast to other fields in accounting such as personal accounting or managerial accounting, financial accounting is specifically concerned with the preparation of financial statements for public use as required by banks, government regulators, shareholders, and other stakeholders. These statements typically include a company’s income statement (also known as a profit and loss or P&L statement), balance sheet, and statement of cash flows.

    Accurate financial accounting plays a critically important role in financial management, as these statements collectively provide an agreed-upon framework for both internal and external parties to evaluate the financial health of a company. As such, professionals in this field must have a rigorous understanding of accounting terminology and concepts as established in the Generally Accepting Accounting Principles (GAAP) that are standard in the U.S. - and potentially the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which are increasingly used by multinational corporations.‎

    Businesses of all kinds must produce financial statements in line with GAAP and IFRS methodologies, as required by taxation authorities as well as potential investors and lenders. Thus, accountants with the ability to organize and maintain financial records, rigorously apply financial accounting principles, and produce clear reports according to these standards are always in demand.

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants and auditors earned a median annual salary of $71,550 as of May 2019. These jobs are expected to grow as fast as other jobs in the economy, since they are dependent on the growth of businesses requiring their services. And, while entry-level positions may require only a bachelor’s degree in accounting, job prospects will be best for those with Certified Public Accountant (CPA) recognition, a masters of science in accountancy, or a master’s in business administration (MBA) with an accounting concentration.‎

    Absolutely. Coursera offers a wide range of courses and Specializations in business and finance topics, including financial accounting, from top-ranked schools such as the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia. You can even pursue a masters of science in accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s prestigious Gies College of Business - a top-three university in the field.

    Regardless of whether you’re a beginner looking for introductory-level education or a mid-career professional looking to dive deeper into a specific topic or pursue your master’s degree, Coursera lets you learn remotely on a flexible schedule that fits with your existing work or family life. And, with a lower tuition than on-campus alternatives, you don’t need to be an accounting expert (yet) to know that learning online is a smart decision for your own finances.‎

    The skills and experience that you might need to have before starting to learn financial accounting could include having a strong interest in understanding financial statements and being comfortable working with numbers, spreadsheets, and income statements. To do this work, you might need to already have a good sense of financial discipline. This might include having organizational skills, paying close attention to detail, as well as being capable of both analytical and critical thinking. Because financial accounting involves preparing financial statements for companies to show their financial performance and status to interested outside parties, it's crucial that those working in financial accounting get the numbers absolutely correct.‎

    The kind of people who are best suited for work that involves financial accounting may include those who are extroverted, sensing, thinking, and judging. It’s a personality type known as ESTJ. Being extroverted to learn financial accounting is helpful, as accountants often have to interface with CEOs, department heads, and business leaders, so communication skills are necessary. The sensing aspect means that you may learn to use all five senses to judge a situation well. A thinking person seeks to find logical explanations to problems and challenges, thus helping to make objective decisions. And having a judging aspect in your personality means that you may enjoy structure and organization in your life more than others. These personality characteristics have been shown to be in more than one-third of accountants.‎

    You might know if learning financial accounting is right for you if you develop an interest in areas like budgets, numbers, and financial statements. If previous work has found you getting passionate about analyzing numbers in worksheets, journal entries, and general ledgers, then accounting might be an area to learn more about. Our world will always need people who can track financial figures, understand cash flows, and balance costs and expenses. Accounting may be right for you if you find yourself often seeking to manage the numbers in your home or business.‎

    Online Financial Accounting courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Financial Accounting skills. Choose from a wide range of Financial Accounting courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Financial Accounting, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

    Other topics to explore

    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Business
    1095 courses
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Health
    471 courses
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Technical Skills

    • ChatGPT
    • Coding
    • Computer Science
    • Cybersecurity
    • DevOps
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Generative AI
    • Java Programming
    • Python
    • Web Development

    Analytical Skills

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Business Analysis
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Science
    • Financial Modeling
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Power BI
    • SQL

    Business Skills

    • Accounting
    • Digital Marketing
    • E-commerce
    • Finance
    • Google
    • Graphic Design
    • IBM
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Social Media Marketing

    Career Resources

    • Essential IT Certifications
    • High-Income Skills to Learn
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • Career Development Resources
    • Career Aptitude Test
    • Share your Coursera Learning Story

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Do Not Sell/Share
    Learn Anywhere
    Download on the App Store
    Get it on Google Play
    Logo of Certified B Corporation
    © 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Coursera Facebook
    • Coursera Linkedin
    • Coursera Twitter
    • Coursera YouTube
    • Coursera Instagram
    • Coursera TikTok