Accounting can be defined as analyzing, recording, reporting, reviewing, verifying and interpreting all types of financial information. Accounting is a broad field and ranges from simple bookkeeping for small businesses or individuals to teams of forensic accountants poring over the records of large companies.
Basic accounting principles and bookkeeping procedures can be learned in a few months by taking a class or in just a few weeks with intensive study online.
1. Take an Introduction to Accounting class at a local university or community college. Invest in the time and you will likely end up with a thorough grounding in the basics of accounting. You will have official academic credit for the course as well, which will look good on your resume.
2. Purchase an accounting textbook, study guide or workbook set to study at home. Video-based accounting courses are also available. The advantages of studying at home are the convenience factor and that you can study at your own pace.
3. Take an online accounting course. Most web-based accounting courses require payment to access the full course, but there are a few good-quality free online accounting courses available. “So You Want to Learn Bookeeping!” by Bean Counter’s Dave Marshall is one free web-based accounting tutorial.