Online accounting courses
Learn the fundamentals of financial reporting and analysis with online accounting courses. Explore topics like bookkeeping, budgeting, business taxation, and more.
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Register for accounting short courses online
Accounting isn’t just about numbers, it's about the language of business. When you understand accounting, you understand the story of a business’s operations and growth – as well as the narrative of your own personal finance journey.
Businesses around the world rely on accurate financial reporting, budgeting, and tax preparation to make smart decisions. In South Africa, accounting and finance roles are featured in the national list of occupations in high demand.1 Similarly, in the United States, employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 6% between 2023 and 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.2
Whether you want to manage your own finances or work in professional accounting, online courses that help you learn the basics of accounting could be a great next step.
What is accounting?
Accounting is the systematic process of recording, analyzing, and reporting financial transactions. It gives individuals and businesses the knowledge to understand their financial health and make informed decisions.3
Accounting helps answer critical questions, such as:
- How much money is coming in and going out?
- Is the organization profitable or running at a loss?
- Is the business compliant with regulatory bodies like SARS (South African Revenue Service) or the IRS (Internal Revenue Service)?
- Can I afford to invest, expand, or take on debt?
There are several different types of professional accounting. Financial accounting is focused on preparing and reporting a business’s financial statements for internal and external stakeholders, like investors or regulators. This could include balance sheets, cash flow statements, and income statements.4 Financial accounting is crucial to keeping business operations legally compliant and healthy. Finance courses can help learners supplement their accounting knowledge in this area.
Managerial accounting is concerned with the internal financial health and decision-making of an organization. This type of accounting might include forecasting and budgeting, cost-benefit analysis, and general strategic financial planning.5
Tax accounting is focused on the preparation and submission of accurate tax forms on behalf of businesses or individuals. This includes making sure the appropriate laws and regulations are followed. Tax accounting is also used to make strategic decisions to help minimize liabilities and find appropriate tax breaks.6
Additional types of accounting include cost accounting, forensic accounting, and auditing.
Types of accounting jobs
Accounting professionals are needed in all kinds of industries and settings, from corporate or small business finance to non-profits and government agencies. Some examples of careers in the accounting field include:
- Bookkeeper: Tracks day-to-day expenses of a business. These professionals collect, organize, and store financial records such as cash-flow and reconciliation statements.7
- Accountant: Prepares financial records, identifies financial opportunities and risks, and ensures compliance with laws and regulations.8
- Auditor: Examines an organization’s financial statements and systems to ensure they are accurate, compliant, and free from fraud or mismanagement. They may also evaluate internal controls and risk management processes.9
- Financial analyst: Guides decisions about spending money to earn a profit. These professionals assess stock, bond, and other investment performance to guide their recommendations.10
Skills needed for accounting careers
A successful accounting career requires more than just an aptitude for numbers. To excel in this field, professionals need a blend of technical expertise and interpersonal abilities. Developing both will help you stay competitive and adaptable in a fast-changing financial environment.
Technical skills
Strong technical competencies enable accountants to record, interpret, and report financial data accurately. A solid understanding of fundamental accounting principles, such as bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, and reconciliation, is also essential.
Familiarity with tools like QuickBooks and Xero, as well as spreadsheet software, is often required in accounting roles. More advanced jobs may also use systems such as Oracle NetSuite.12
Additionally, accountants must stay up to date with financial regulations, tax laws, and reporting standards specific to their location. As businesses become increasingly data-driven, skills in data analysis, financial modeling, and even basic coding are becoming more valuable, especially for roles that intersect with finance technology.
Soft skills
While technical skills help you do the job, soft skills help you do it well. Attention to detail is one example; Accountants often work with complex datasets where small errors can have large consequences.
Strong communication skills are also essential, especially when explaining complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders or working within a team. Time management, particularly during busy periods like tax season or financial year-end, are crucial. Accountants must balance accuracy with efficiency to meet tight deadlines. Finally, integrity and discretion are non-negotiable in this profession, as accountants regularly handle sensitive and confidential information.
Explore these skills and more in a flexible, online environment with accounting short courses on GetSmarter, offered in partnership with the world’s leading universities.
Sources
1(Apr, 2024). ‘National list of occupations in high demand: 2024’. Retrieved from Department of Higher Education and Training, Republic of South Africa.
2(Apr, 2025). ‘Accountants and auditors’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
3Fernando, J. (Apr, 2025). ‘Accounting explained with brief history and modern job requirements’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
4(Apr, 2025). ‘Financial accounting: meaning, principles, and importance’. Retrieved from FreshBooks.
5(Jun, 2024). ‘Managerial accounting – definition, objective, techniques and limitations’. Retrieved from Salesforce.
6(Apr, 2025). ‘What is a tax accountant?’. Retrieved from TurboTax.
7Bentes, A. (Jan, 2024). ‘What does a bookkeeper do?’. Retrieved from QuickBooks.
8(Apr, 2025). ‘What accountants and auditors do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
9(Apr, 2025). ‘What accountants and auditors do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10(Apr, 2025). ‘What financial analysts do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
11Kenton, W. (May, 2025). ‘What is a chartered accountant (CA) and what do they do?’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
12Ramsey, C. (Jun, 2024). ‘Accounting tools: top 10 for every business and industry’. Retrieved from Shoeboxed.
Register for accounting short courses online
Accounting isn’t just about numbers, it's about the language of business. When you understand accounting, you understand the story of a business’s operations and growth – as well as the narrative of your own personal finance journey.
Businesses around the world rely on accurate financial reporting, budgeting, and tax preparation to make smart decisions. In South Africa, accounting and finance roles are featured in the national list of occupations in high demand.1 Similarly, in the United States, employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 6% between 2023 and 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.2
Whether you want to manage your own finances or work in professional accounting, online courses that help you learn the basics of accounting could be a great next step.
What is accounting?
Accounting is the systematic process of recording, analyzing, and reporting financial transactions. It gives individuals and businesses the knowledge to understand their financial health and make informed decisions.3
Accounting helps answer critical questions, such as:
- How much money is coming in and going out?
- Is the organization profitable or running at a loss?
- Is the business compliant with regulatory bodies like SARS (South African Revenue Service) or the IRS (Internal Revenue Service)?
- Can I afford to invest, expand, or take on debt?
There are several different types of professional accounting. Financial accounting is focused on preparing and reporting a business’s financial statements for internal and external stakeholders, like investors or regulators. This could include balance sheets, cash flow statements, and income statements.4 Financial accounting is crucial to keeping business operations legally compliant and healthy. Finance courses can help learners supplement their accounting knowledge in this area.
Managerial accounting is concerned with the internal financial health and decision-making of an organization. This type of accounting might include forecasting and budgeting, cost-benefit analysis, and general strategic financial planning.5
Tax accounting is focused on the preparation and submission of accurate tax forms on behalf of businesses or individuals. This includes making sure the appropriate laws and regulations are followed. Tax accounting is also used to make strategic decisions to help minimize liabilities and find appropriate tax breaks.6
Additional types of accounting include cost accounting, forensic accounting, and auditing.
Types of accounting jobs
Accounting professionals are needed in all kinds of industries and settings, from corporate or small business finance to non-profits and government agencies. Some examples of careers in the accounting field include:
- Bookkeeper: Tracks day-to-day expenses of a business. These professionals collect, organize, and store financial records such as cash-flow and reconciliation statements.7
- Accountant: Prepares financial records, identifies financial opportunities and risks, and ensures compliance with laws and regulations.8
- Auditor: Examines an organization’s financial statements and systems to ensure they are accurate, compliant, and free from fraud or mismanagement. They may also evaluate internal controls and risk management processes.9
- Financial analyst: Guides decisions about spending money to earn a profit. These professionals assess stock, bond, and other investment performance to guide their recommendations.10
Skills needed for accounting careers
A successful accounting career requires more than just an aptitude for numbers. To excel in this field, professionals need a blend of technical expertise and interpersonal abilities. Developing both will help you stay competitive and adaptable in a fast-changing financial environment.
Technical skills
Strong technical competencies enable accountants to record, interpret, and report financial data accurately. A solid understanding of fundamental accounting principles, such as bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, and reconciliation, is also essential.
Familiarity with tools like QuickBooks and Xero, as well as spreadsheet software, is often required in accounting roles. More advanced jobs may also use systems such as Oracle NetSuite.12
Additionally, accountants must stay up to date with financial regulations, tax laws, and reporting standards specific to their location. As businesses become increasingly data-driven, skills in data analysis, financial modeling, and even basic coding are becoming more valuable, especially for roles that intersect with finance technology.
Soft skills
While technical skills help you do the job, soft skills help you do it well. Attention to detail is one example; Accountants often work with complex datasets where small errors can have large consequences.
Strong communication skills are also essential, especially when explaining complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders or working within a team. Time management, particularly during busy periods like tax season or financial year-end, are crucial. Accountants must balance accuracy with efficiency to meet tight deadlines. Finally, integrity and discretion are non-negotiable in this profession, as accountants regularly handle sensitive and confidential information.
Explore these skills and more in a flexible, online environment with accounting short courses on GetSmarter, offered in partnership with the world’s leading universities.
Sources
1(Apr, 2024). ‘National list of occupations in high demand: 2024’. Retrieved from Department of Higher Education and Training, Republic of South Africa.
2(Apr, 2025). ‘Accountants and auditors’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
3Fernando, J. (Apr, 2025). ‘Accounting explained with brief history and modern job requirements’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
4(Apr, 2025). ‘Financial accounting: meaning, principles, and importance’. Retrieved from FreshBooks.
5(Jun, 2024). ‘Managerial accounting – definition, objective, techniques and limitations’. Retrieved from Salesforce.
6(Apr, 2025). ‘What is a tax accountant?’. Retrieved from TurboTax.
7Bentes, A. (Jan, 2024). ‘What does a bookkeeper do?’. Retrieved from QuickBooks.
8(Apr, 2025). ‘What accountants and auditors do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
9(Apr, 2025). ‘What accountants and auditors do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10(Apr, 2025). ‘What financial analysts do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
11Kenton, W. (May, 2025). ‘What is a chartered accountant (CA) and what do they do?’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
12Ramsey, C. (Jun, 2024). ‘Accounting tools: top 10 for every business and industry’. Retrieved from Shoeboxed.
