Learning Accounting Online

Online education is a good option for many busy people, who can choose to take an accounting course online.

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The Internet revolutionized the way people live and its impact in education is clearly felt in education, where you can go to school online, get degrees, learn a new language or a new skill. You can learn accounting online too. It is challenging, but it is doable. Before taking an accounting class online, get as much information about it as possible, such as time and work required along with any specific software or internet connection needed.

You must be very organized to learn accounting online, with all the deadlines and work required. Use an agenda, paper or online, to keep track of your tests and assignments. It is easy to forget to do things when you don't go physically to a classroom and accounting is no exception. Separate blocks of time--at least three hours each--a couple of days a week to take care of reading, homework, group assignments and tests. Learning accounting requires work, online or live, therefore organize your time accordingly.

Participation in online accounting classes usually refers to postings in discussion areas and in chats. The instructor wants to see that you're learning and you can make connections between concepts. When participating in online classes, avoid a one-word or one-sentence response. Write at least three sentences about a topic per post in discussion or chat. Give examples of what you're discussing. Find online resources and talk about it, not just how clear the explanation is on that site, but how that relates to something else. For instance: "that site showed how accrual and cash basis of accounting differs. Clearly the more accounts receivable and payable a business have, the more the accrual method makes more sense. The cash basis ignore these items and bills to be paid, money to be received are too important to be ignored."

Going to school online can be very convenient because you can do it without driving and looking for a classroom. Learning accounting online can give you time to think and to digest concepts without being put on the spot, as can happen in regular courses, where you can be called in to answer questions during class or do homework on the board. An online accounting course gives you the opportunity of re-reading lectures, allowing you to focus on new concepts as long as you need. You can still ask the instructor and other student questions and get answers, but the online medium slows down a bit the intensity of an accounting course, which can reduce stress, helping you learn accounting on your terms.

Consider getting a second book to help you learn accounting. Many times concepts are understood better when explained in a different way. Get a book with lots of accounting exercises and answers with explanations. That's the best way of learning accounting: by doing, not by reading theory over and over. Many free online resources are available to learn accounting--make full use of them. If you are not understanding something, don't give up on it. Look it up online and try to do online exercises about it, until you get the idea. There are no shortcuts in learning accounting, online or otherwise.

Free or very cheap accounting courses are available online and they may work for some people, but usually you don't learn accounting by yourself. It's not an easy topic to grasp and "get it" without an instructor. Another warning about learning accounting online is that it is a lonely experience. You don't have colleagues sitting next to you to chat or to exchange information. Without a classroom, it is easy to lose motivation and to give up on the course. To prevent this, try to connect with other students "offline." You could also form your own informal study group with other students in the same boat.

Sheila Shanker is a certified public accountant based in California. She writes online courses for professionals seeking CPE hours and has also published the book "Guide to Non-profits: From the Trenches." Her articles have been published in national magazines such as the "Journal of Accountancy," "Architecture Business and Economics" and "Veterinary Economics." Shanker holds a Master of Business Administration.