10 Free Online Bookkeeping Courses With Certificates 2025

Bookkeeping is the essential art of financial accounting in which an accountant maintains and analyzes the financial records of a business. Many businesses have bookkeepers, ranging from small businesses to large corporations. Online bookkeeping courses are a great way to learn bookkeeping without breaking the bank.

Are There Free Bookkeeping Courses Online?

Many free online bookkeeping courses cover the essential skills to become a bookkeeper. While some require payment to receive your certificate, others are entirely free from start to finish. These courses can help you land a higher-paying job as a bookkeeper, so you may find this certification fee to be worth it in the long run. Some courses include costs that can be fully covered by grants and scholarships, which makes them free after financial aid has been applied.

Do Free Online Bookkeeping Courses Include Certificates?

Many free online bookkeeping courses include certificates. A bookkeeping certificate proves that a bookkeeper has learned the fundamental skills of bookkeeping. These skills include double-entry bookkeeping, knowledge of financial statements and balance sheets, and awareness of bookkeeping ethics.

Earning a bookkeeping certificate can bolster your resume and increase your chances of landing a job. Explore free online bookkeeping courses with certificates below.

Top Free Online Bookkeeping Courses for Beginners

These are some of the best online free bookkeeping courses with certificates offered. You can learn a wide variety of bookkeeping skills with these courses.

1. Alison � Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting Methods

This introductory course teaches the bookkeeping basics, such as single-entry and double-entry bookkeeping, proper invoicing methods, and more. Learners say that the self-paced model is easy to follow and is ideal for those who don't hold an accounting degree.

Students must earn an 80% or higher in the course to receive their free certificate. Alison certificates are accredited by the CPD Certification Service (CPD UK) and can be purchased through their online school. Certificates generally cost between $20 and $50 for accounting courses.

• Program length: One and a half to three hours
• Program cost: Free; $20 to $50 for the certificate

2. Coursera � Bookkeeping Basics

This entry-level course is broken up into four modules over two weeks. Students will learn accounting basics and essential bookkeeping skills to earn their shareable certificate. About 76% of students rated this course five out of five stars.

Coursera courses are free, but online certificates start at $49 per month. However, they can be added directly to your LinkedIn profile to impress potential employers.

• Program length: Two weeks (10 hours per week)
• Program cost: Free; $49 per month for your certificate

3. IAP Career College � Bookkeeper Certificate Course

IAP Career College offers an online bookkeeper certificate course that covers essential skills such as tax preparation, payroll processing, financial report recording, and more. This course also covers real-world scenarios such as marketing, interview techniques, and client consultations. Course materials and your certificate have guaranteed lifetime access.

• Program length: Six weeks, part-time
• Program cost: $377 total

4. Udemy � Basic Bookkeeping Certificate Course

This comprehensive course covers all of the accounting principles you need to know to be considered an intermediate bookkeeper. It includes information on petty cash bookkeeping, bank reconciliation statements, accounting equations, and more. This course can be accessed via computer, TV, or mobile phone, allowing students to learn on the go and earn their certificate of completion.

• Program length: Six hours on-demand
• Program cost: $49.99

5. Corporate Finance Institute � Excel Fundamentals

This course in Excel fundamentals teaches students about the most useful Excel features for business accounting. Students will get the chance to compare various functions to learn about their advantages and disadvantages, as well as explore Excel in a hands-on way to learn what works best for them. Ideally, learners will have some Excel and valuation experience.

• Program length: Two hours
• Program cost: $347 per month for membership and access to seven different certification courses

6. The Knowledge Academy � QuickBooks Training Course

This QuickBooks program can be taken in an instructor-led or a self-study format. Nearly one million small businesses in the U.S. use QuickBooks Online, and students in this course will gain proficiency in this important accounting software. Modules include managing expenses, understanding and generating reports, and understanding retention.

• Program length: Eight hours (either synchronous or asynchronous)
• Program cost: $1,295

7. Intuit Academy � Bookkeeping Certification

Intuit Academy offers a free bookkeeping certification course that covers business transaction tracking, reconciling accounts, understanding income statements, and more. This free 30-hour course includes real-world interactive case studies to help you learn the ins and outs of bookkeeping.

• Program length: 30 hours
• Program cost: Free

8. QuickBooks � ProAdvisor Academy

This self-paced training teaches the basics of QuickBooks and can be used for certification or recertification, depending on your experience level. Webinars, virtual conferences, and in-person events are also available. This program is free for students who enroll with a QuickBooks Online Accountant account.

• Program length: 12 to 16 hours
• Program cost: Free

9. OpenLearn � Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting

This introductory course includes a free statement of participation and covers essential numerical skills, double-entry bookkeeping, understanding balance sheets, and more. It is designed for entry-level bookkeepers looking to broaden their skill sets.

• Program length: Eight hours
• Program cost: Free

10. AccountingCoach � Bookkeeping

AccountingCoach is a robust platform authored by Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Harold Averkamp. It includes numerous courses, including one on bookkeeping. Explanations, quizzes, and a bookkeeping dictionary can all be accessed for free, but other course materials and a certificate are only accessible through the pro version.

• Program length: Self-paced; free version can be completed in as little as three weeks
• Program cost: $99 per year or $299 for lifetime access for the pro version

FAQs About Free Bookkeeping Courses Online

Are Free Bookkeeping Certificates Recognized by Employers?

Many free bookkeeping certificates are recognized by employers. While earning an online certificate does not equate to years of experience, it's a good start to your bookkeeping career and a boost for your resume.

Do These Courses Prepare You for Professional Bookkeeping Certification?

These courses do prepare you for a professional bookkeeping certification. Many include a certification, as long as you pass the course with an 80% or higher.

Is a Bookkeeping Certificate Worth It?

A bookkeeping certificate is worth it if you are interested in accounting and bookkeeping. Many bookkeepers go on to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) or small business owners.

What Skills Will I Learn in a Bookkeeping Course?

In a bookkeeping course, you'll learn basic skills such as understanding a general ledger, double-entry bookkeeping, analyzing financial records, and more. Many also teach accounting software such as Excel or Xero.

Is the QuickBooks Bookkeeping Certification Free?

The QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor certification is free for professionals who sign up for a QuickBooks Online Accountant account.

Discover Online Bookkeeping Programs

Free bookkeeping courses for unemployed individuals are a great way to jumpstart your bookkeeping career. Many businesses rely on bookkeepers to balance transaction ledgers, monitor their cash flow, and analyze financial records. Discover more online bookkeeping programs here on Learn.org.