Introduction to Financial Accounting: Certificate Program

About This Course

Earning an Introduction to Financial Accounting Certificate is as simple as taking a couple of weeks to study with our engaging and comprehensive video lessons. The lessons in this course use dynamic animations and on-screen graphics to teach you fundamental financial accounting concepts. You'll learn how to prepare a balance sheet and use the accounting equation to analyze business transactions.

Who's This For?

Small business owners, potential investors, financial writers, teachers and business managers can use this course to stay up to date on financial accounting principles. This course is also useful for anyone who wants to learn more about financial accounting concepts.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites aren't needed for this course, so you can start learning about financial accounting right away.

Benefits of the Certificate

Include this certificate on your LinkedIn profile or resume or use the knowledge you acquire in this course at work or home. You can:

• Demonstrate your mastery of financial accounting concepts to current and potential employers
• Fulfill continuing education requirements
• Stay on top of accounting responsibilities in a small business
• Manage personal finances

Introduction to Financial Accounting Program Breakdown

Introduction to Accounting

Start off this course by learning about the importance of accounting and its uses. Understand Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the importance of ethics in accounting.

Financial Statements in Accounting

This chapter teaches you how to prepare a balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows. You'll learn about external audits of financial statements and some fundamental accounting principles.

Mechanics of the Accounting Cycle

In this chapter, you'll examine the components of the accounting equation and its uses. You'll learn how to record business transactions, prepare a trial balance and calculate financial statement ratios.

Adjusting Accounts and Preparing Financial Statements

Learn about accrual accounting, account adjustments and accrued expenses and revenues in this chapter. You'll find out how to prepare an adjusted trial balance and a post-closing trial balance and follow the steps in the closing process.

Internal Controls in Accounting

This chapter covers typical problems with financial information and controls used in banking and accounting. You'll study some limitations of internal control and discuss the role of auditors.

Merchandising Operations and Inventory in Accounting

You'll study inventory cost, accounting for inventory purchases and sales, and periodic and perpetual inventory systems in this chapter. Inventory valuation methods, net realizable value of inventory and inventory reporting are also covered.

Receivables in Accounting

In this chapter, you'll learn about the accounts receivable process along with revenue recognition, notes receivable and conversion of receivables to cash.

Completing the Operating Cycle in Accounting

Learn about employee compensation and income statement operations in this chapter. You'll also find out how to account for taxes and contingencies.

Long-Term Assets in Accounting

This chapter teaches you about plant assets, property and equipment acquisition, depreciation and asset disposal. You'll learn about intangible assets, accelerated depreciation and methods for evaluating asset efficiency.

Current and Long-Term Liabilities in Accounting

You'll examine known, estimated and contingent liabilities in this chapter, which also covers bonds and debt-related financial ratios.

Reporting and Analyzing Equity in Accounting

This chapter teaches you about equity financing, corporations, stockholder equity and stock types. You'll find out how a stock is issued and how you account for stock repurchases before moving on to retained earnings lessons.

Statement of Cash Flows in Accounting

In this chapter, study cash flow classifications and the process for preparing a statement of cash flows. You'll learn how the statement is used for decision making and about indirect and direct methods of reporting operating activities.

Financial Statement Analysis and Interpretation in Accounting

Close out this course by learning about the purpose for financial statement analysis and standards for comparison. Learn the formula for financial ratio analysis and understand efficiency and leverage ratios and issues that occur during analysis.