Free Accounting and Control Courses & Certifications Online

What is Accounting?

Accounting is a systematic process of recording financial transactions of any organization, regardless of its nature of business. Accounting has an important role to play in any organization’s decision-making, cost planning, and economic performance measurement. This process involves three crucial steps, including –

1. Summarizing the transactions
2. Analyzing the transactions
3. Reporting the transactions

These transactions are recorded as what we call as financial statements, which provide a concise summary of financial transactions in the defined accounting period. These financial statements also summarize a company's operations, financial position, and cash flows.

To learn more about Accounting & Finance, read our blog on – What is Accounting & Finance?

Skills Required for Accounting Professionals

Here are some of the critical business and soft-skills required to become a successful accounting professional –

1. Complete knowledge of accounting and financial procedures
2. Understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)  
3. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Suite, especially Excel  
4. Knowledge of accounting software packages like QuickBooks, NetSuite, Zoho Books, Horizon ERP, Sage Business Cloud Accounting, etc.  
5. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) experience  
6. Hands-on experience and expertise in big data analysis, advanced modeling techniques and SQL
7. Knowledge of business intelligence 
8. Excellent analytical skills with an eye to detail  
9. Ability to handle critical and confidential information  
10. Time management skills  
11. Impeccable communication skills, both written and verbal  
12. High regard for ethics and integrity  
13. Good decision making skills

Eligibility to Become an Accounting Professional

To work as an accounting professional, you should have a Bachelor's or preferably a Master's degree, including –

1. B.Com in Accounting & Finance
2. B.Com in Accounting & Taxation
3. B.Com in Accountancy
4. BBA in Accounting & Finance
5. M.Com in Accounting and Finance
6. MBA in Finance & Accounting
7. M.Com in Accounting and Auditing
8. Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Accounting & Auditing

You should earn a specialization in subjects such as financial reporting, taxes, and auditing. Other areas of specialization are Financial recordkeeping, Ethics, Statistics, Management, Personal and business tax, Auditing and International finance.

Popular Accounting Certifications

1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
2. Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
3. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
4. Enrolled Agent (EA)
5. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
6. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
7. Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)

Apart from these certifications, Shiksha Online also offers some quality online Accounting courses, including -

1. Management Accounting by edX
2. Introduction to Finance, Accounting, Modeling and Valuation by Udemy
3. Managerial Accounting: Tools for Facilitating and Guiding Business Decisions by Coursera
4. Financial Accounting for Corporations by edX
5. Accounting for Decision-Making by edX
6. Accounting and Finance by edX
7. An Introduction to Credit Risk Managementby edX
8. Financial Accounting: Foundations by Coursera
9. Corporate Finance by edX
10. Introduction to Financial Modeling for Beginners by Udemy  

Salaries - Accounting Professional

As per Payscale, below is the average salaries of the accounting professionals at different experience levels.

Popular Job Profiles for Accounting Professionals

1. Accounts Clerk
2. Assistant Manager - Accounts Payable
3. Senior Executive-Accounts
4. General Manager - Accounts & Finance
5. Head - Accounts
6. Assistant Manager Finance & Accounts
7. Head - Finance & Accounts
8. Process Associate - Accounts Payable
9. Chartered Accountant
10. Junior Accountant
11. Accounts Assistant
12. AGM- Finance and Accounts
13. Head – Accounts
14. Billing Accounts Executive
15. Lead - Accounts Payable
16. Senior Accounts Manager - Online/eCommerce
17. Cost Accountant

Top Recruiters for Accounting Professionals

1. JP Morgan
2. Goldman Sachs
3. Morgan Stanley
4. CRISIL
5. Deloitte
6. Ernst & Young
7. PwC
8. LIC
9. Tata Capitals
10. Bajaj Finance
11. HDFC Bank
12. ICICI Bank
13. PricewaterhouseCoopers
14. KPMG
15. Grant Thornton
16. BDO USA
17. Crowe Horwath
18. RSM US