I need to learn accounting

[Anonymous]

Just a basic Principles of Accounting course would be perfect, but I can't find a live one that's suited for FT working professionals. I don't want college credit, I don't want a certificate. I just need the information.

Google has turned up a bunch of online things, which are less than ideal. If I try to sit at my desk to do an online course, people will keep coming in and interrupting me. I'd really like to have the discipline of an actual class.

Any leads? Failing that... other ideas?

[Anonymous]

A class at NOVA, George Mason, USDA come to mind...

[Anonymous]

UCLA online courses. I know you said no online, but in terms of respected...

Also you should know that basic accounting is pretty much useless in the real world unless literally all you are doing is balancing a checkbook.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure you need a basic accounting course? I work in the accounting/finance department for a non-profit, I trained to our field office employees in accounting, most of the training took place over the phone. I remember one of the field office director asking me what courses she needed to take, and I told her that a basic class wouldn't prepare her enough of the real accounting world and that my training was all she needed to know to perform the few basic tasks her job required her to do. She wasn't going to work in accounting, she just needed to understand a few rules to perform those tasks.

I could teach you what you need to know if you are interested.

[Anonymous]

Accounting class at community college comes to mind... but, OP, what is it that you are trying to do? It's like saying, I just want to take one class in Anatomy or Law. It's a start, but it will make you a doctor or a lawyer.

Accounting is taught from top down. It starts with big picture and drills down. So, it depends on your goal. Principles of Accounting will give you basics but you will not be able to do much, in terms of working in accounting.

[Anonymous]

Maybe a bookkeeping class would be more practical than accounting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Accounting class at community college comes to mind... but, OP, what is it that you are trying to do? It's like saying, I just want to take one class in Anatomy or Law. It's a start, but it will make you a doctor or a lawyer.

Accounting is taught from top down. It starts with big picture and drills down. So, it depends on your goal. Principles of Accounting will give you basics but you will not be able to do much, in terms of working in accounting.

OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. To answer this question, I feel as if I've gone about it backwards. I have been doing the job for a year, but most of what I do has been learned by rote, not by theory. I would like to get the theory, the bigger picture.

[Anonymous]

what is difference between invoices and receipts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what is difference between invoices and receipts

An invoice is a bill. It tells you what you owe.
A receipt proves you paid (the invoice).

[Anonymous]

Accounting for dummies book?

[Anonymous]

I needed exactly what you needed and USDA cource was the answer. Was at night, right after work one day per week.

[sbercsenyi]

Try Intuit QuickBooks. They have basic accounting courses you can do online - any time. It costs about 100-300 dollars, but it will be very comprehensive.

[Anonymous]

Try coursera ( google it). They have classes in a lot of subjects and they are free. I actually signed up for their financial accounting course earlier this year but i was super busy and couldnt finish it . But it is very doable if you have the time, you can watch the videos whenever you want and do the assignments and exams. Assignments and exams have deadlines though. Their classes are 100% free which is great