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Robert (Bob) Steele

Get ready for a deep dive into Financial Accounting, a critical skill for any aspiring accountant, business owner, or student. This comprehensive course offers you lifetime access to many sections of engaging video content, a multitude of real-world examples, practice problems, and an extensive, downloadable e-book in

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Get ready for a deep dive into Financial Accounting, a critical skill for any aspiring accountant, business owner, or student. This comprehensive course offers you lifetime access to many sections of engaging video content, a multitude of real-world examples, practice problems, and an extensive, downloadable e-book in

From the fundamentals of the double-entry accounting system to the complexities of long-term liabilities and cash flow statements, this course covers a breadth of topics equivalent to an undergraduate Financial Accounting program. The course supplements academic study by providing an online resource you can refer back to, ensuring the concepts stay fresh and readily accessible.

We begin with an introduction to Financial Accounting and progress steadily through various topics, including recording transactions, adjusting and closing entries, merchandising transactions, and various cost flow assumptions. Specialized sections delve into subsidiary ledgers, bank reconciliations, depreciation methods, payroll accounting, and more.

The course incorporates Excel for practical application of the theories taught. If you're unfamiliar with Excel, fear not. We provide pre-formatted worksheets and step-by-step instructional videos that move at a friendly pace.

We debunk the myths surrounding debits and credits, illustrate how to record transactions using these methods, and demonstrate the importance of period-end adjusting entries.

This course is more than just a procedural guide—it stresses the understanding of underlying theories to make learners flexible and adaptable in a constantly changing environment. You'll learn the rationale behind financial accounting processes, ensuring you can apply these skills in a variety of contexts.

Incorporating real-world scenarios, each section breaks down complex concepts into understandable chunks, followed by practical application in Excel.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

· Debits and Credits

· Period End Adjusting Entries

· Recording Closing Entries

· Inventory Transactions

· Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals

· Bank Reconciliations

· Accounts Receivable

· Depreciation Methods

· Payroll Accounting

· Partnership Accounting

· Corporate Accounting

· Bonds Payable, Notes Payable, & Long-Term Liabilities

· Cash Flow Statements

The course is designed to start at the basics and gradually advance to the level of detail expected in an undergraduate program. By course completion, you will have a firm grasp on Financial Accounting that not only stands the test of time but also serves as a continuously available resource in your accounting journey. Enroll now to become a confident, adaptable accounting professional.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Grasp the basics of financial accounting and understand its objectives and significance in business.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using the double-entry accounting system and interpreting the accounting equation.
  • Record business transactions using debits and credits, including period-end adjusting entries.
  • Understand and apply the rules for closing entries at the end of an accounting period.
  • Handle transactions related to the purchase and sale of inventory, including applying inventory cost flow assumptions such as fifo, lifo, and weighted average m
  • Master the use of subsidiary ledgers and special journals, specifically for accounts receivable and accounts payable
  • Conduct bank reconciliations and apply best practices for cash internal controls.
  • Accurately estimate and record allowance for doubtful accounts using both allowance method and direct write-off methods.
  • Understand, calculate, and record depreciation for property, plant, and equipment using various methods, including straight-line, double-declining balance, and
  • Handle transactions related to the purchase and sale of property, plant, and equipment.
  • Understand and execute the payroll accounting process, including the calculation of payroll taxes and recording complex payroll journal entries.
  • Grasp the unique accounting considerations and transactions for partnerships, including income allocation, admission and withdrawal of a partner, and partnershi
  • Handle transactions unique to a corporate form of entity, including issuance and repurchase of shares, and dividend distributions.
  • Understand the concept of bonds payable and notes payable, including their issuance, discount/premium amortization, and interest payment.
  • Prepare a comprehensive statement of cash flows using both direct and indirect methods, and understand its importance in financial analysis.
  • Use excel to perform various accounting tasks, including creation of amortization schedules and financial statement preparation.
  • Understand how to update and adjust accounting records to reflect changes in the business environment.
  • Grasp the importance of theory in making appropriate accounting adjustments and decisions.
  • Learn how to compare and contrast different accounting procedures and choose the most suitable for a given business scenario.
  • Understand and apply the time-value of money concept in the context of bond and note transactions.
  • Determine current and long-term portions of notes payable using amortization schedules.
  • Learn how to adapt accounting procedures and policies to ever-changing business and regulatory environments.
  • Show more
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Syllabus

100 Why Learn Accounting
Notes - What is Accounting and Why Learn Accounting
Introduction
Table Of Contents
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers lifetime access to video content, real-world examples, practice problems, and a downloadable e-book, providing continuous learning support
Covers a breadth of topics equivalent to an undergraduate financial accounting program, making it suitable for both academic study and professional development
Incorporates Excel for practical application, providing pre-formatted worksheets and step-by-step videos, which is useful for learners of all levels
Stresses understanding underlying theories to make learners flexible and adaptable in a constantly changing environment, which is useful for career growth
Progresses gradually from the basics to the level of detail expected in an undergraduate program, which builds a strong foundation for beginners
Requires learners to use Excel, which may require learners to purchase a license if they do not already have access to the software

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive financial accounting guide with resources

According to students, this course offers a comprehensive overview of Financial Accounting, covering topics from foundational principles like debits and credits to more advanced areas such as cash flow statements. Many learners highlight the clear explanations provided by the instructor and appreciate the structured approach that builds knowledge progressively. The inclusion of a downloadable e-book and practical Excel exercises is frequently cited as a significant benefit, aiding understanding and application. While generally well-received, some reviewers noted the pace can be challenging at times, particularly for absolute beginners, requiring dedication and review. Overall, students report gaining a solid foundation, making it comparable to an undergraduate-level introduction to the subject.
Includes practical examples using Excel.
"Integrating Excel makes the concepts feel much more practical and relevant."
"It's good to see real-world application examples shown in Excel."
"The practical problems helped me apply what I learned immediately."
Suitable starting point for new learners.
"I started with zero accounting knowledge and feel like I grasp the basics now."
"Perfect for someone just starting out in accounting, assumes no prior knowledge."
"It's pitched well for someone new, but covers enough to be useful beyond just the basics."
"This course is very helpful for a beginner like me. It clarifies the confusing concepts in accounting."
E-book and Excel files are very helpful.
"The e-book is a great reference tool that I can go back to."
"Loved the Excel worksheets, they really helped solidify my understanding of practical application."
"Having the downloadable resources is a huge plus and adds significant value."
"I really appreciate the e-book and all the practice problems included."
Concepts are explained clearly and understandably.
"The teacher explains complicated things in a way that makes sense. I finally get debits and credits!"
"Explanations are very clear and easy to follow, making complex topics digestible."
"The instructor breaks down complex concepts into understandable parts."
"I found the explanations provided throughout the course to be exceptionally clear and easy to grasp."
Covers a wide range of financial accounting topics.
"This course is very comprehensive and covers all accounting cycles. It is well organized and explains the concepts in a clear and simple manner."
"It is an exhaustive curriculum for financial accounting, covering wide topics. Excellent content structure and explanation for every topic."
"The course is very comprehensive and gives you the basic accounting principles and theories needed to fully understand financial accounting."
"Feels like taking a real undergraduate course on the subject, very comprehensive."
Pace can be fast, requires effort to follow.
"Sometimes the pace felt a bit fast, had to rewatch sections multiple times."
"Requires dedication and focus; it's not a light course and demands active learning."
"I found some sections challenging initially, but manageable with diligent review and practice."
"Some topics move quickly, so be prepared to pause and take notes."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Financial Accounting: A Comprehensive Guide with E-book with these activities:
Review Basic Accounting Principles
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental accounting principles before diving into more complex financial accounting topics.
Browse courses on Accounting Principles
Show steps
  • Review the basic accounting equation.
  • Define assets, liabilities, and equity.
  • Understand the concept of debits and credits.
Review 'Accounting for Dummies'
Solidify your understanding of basic accounting concepts with a beginner-friendly guide.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on financial statements.
  • Work through the example problems.
  • Take notes on key concepts.
Practice Journal Entries
Improve your ability to record financial transactions accurately by practicing journal entries.
Show steps
  • Find online resources with practice journal entry problems.
  • Record journal entries for various business transactions.
  • Check your answers against the solutions.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Financial Statement Cheat Sheet
Consolidate your knowledge of financial statements by creating a concise cheat sheet for quick reference.
Show steps
  • Summarize the key components of each financial statement.
  • Include important formulas and ratios.
  • Organize the cheat sheet for easy access.
Read 'Financial Accounting Made Simple'
Deepen your understanding of financial accounting with a simplified and practical guide.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters relevant to the course topics.
  • Complete the practice exercises.
  • Review the key takeaways at the end of each chapter.
Analyze a Public Company's Financial Statements
Apply your financial accounting knowledge by analyzing the financial statements of a real-world company.
Show steps
  • Choose a publicly traded company.
  • Download their annual report (10-K).
  • Analyze their income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.
  • Write a brief report summarizing your findings.
Build an Excel Model for Cash Flow Forecasting
Enhance your Excel skills and understanding of cash flow statements by building a forecasting model.
Show steps
  • Gather historical financial data.
  • Identify key drivers of cash flow.
  • Build a model to forecast future cash flows.
  • Test the model with different scenarios.

Career center

Learners who complete Financial Accounting: A Comprehensive Guide with E-book will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Staff Accountant
The Staff Accountant role involves preparing journal entries, maintaining balance sheet reconciliations, and assisting with month-end closing procedures. This Financial Accounting course provides a comprehensive understanding of financial accounting principles which helps prepare you for the responsibilities of a staff accountant. The course covers topics such as depreciation methods, payroll accounting, and the preparation of cash flow statements, all of which are relevant to this role. By mastering these concepts including how to record closing entries at the end of an accounting period, you enhance your ability to handle complex accounting tasks and contribute effectively to financial reporting processes. The course's detail on long-term liabilities may be particularly useful.
Bookkeeper
A Bookkeeper is responsible for recording financial transactions, maintaining accurate records, and preparing financial reports. This course in Financial Accounting helps those new to bookkeeping learn the essentials, from the double-entry accounting system to the preparation of financial statements. You will gain hands-on experience in recording transactions, performing bank reconciliations, and managing accounts receivable and payable. The course's emphasis on understanding the underlying theories behind accounting procedures will enable you to adapt to various bookkeeping tasks with confidence, making this an excellent resource for anyone pursuing a bookkeeping career. The sections that cover subsidiary ledgers and bank reconciliations may particularly help with success in this role.
Accounting Clerk
As an Accounting Clerk, you will handle a variety of tasks related to maintaining financial records. This course in Financial Accounting helps build a strong foundation in the principles and practices of accounting. Knowledge of debits and credits, transaction recording, and adjusting entries are directly applicable to the daily responsibilities of an accounting clerk. This course, with its comprehensive e-book and real-world examples, ensures you are well-prepared to manage financial data and contribute effectively to the accounting department. The course's coverage of Excel for accounting tasks may be useful in this role.
Accounting Manager
The Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing the accounting department, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting. This role builds on your understanding of financial accounting, and this course prepares you by providing a comprehensive review of financial accounting principles, from basic transaction recording to advanced topics such as long-term liabilities and cash flow statements. The course's emphasis on Excel helps refine necessary skills to manage accounting processes effectively. The course's focus on adjusting entries helps ensure accuracy in recording transactions and producing financial statements.
Junior Auditor
A Junior Auditor assists in examining financial records, internal controls, and compliance with accounting standards. This Financial Accounting course helps develop a strong understanding of financial accounting principles and auditing procedures. The course covers key topics such as bank reconciliations, internal controls, and the preparation of financial statements, all of which are essential for conducting effective audits. The knowledge gained from this course enables you to assess the accuracy and reliability of financial information. Its insights into cash internal controls and the direct and indirect methods of cash flow statements may be useful in performing this role.
Auditor
The Auditor examines financial records and internal controls to ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting standards and regulations. This Financial Accounting course helps develop a strong foundation in financial accounting principles and auditing procedures. The course covers key topics such as bank reconciliations, internal controls, and the preparation of financial statements, all of which are essential for conducting effective audits. The inclusion of modules such as recording closing entries may be quite useful in this role. This position typically requires a master's degree in accounting or a related field.
Controller
A Controller oversees the accounting operations of an organization, ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with regulations. A strong foundation in financial accounting is essential. This course prepares you for this role by providing a comprehensive understanding of financial accounting principles, from recording transactions to preparing financial statements. The course's coverage of advanced topics such as partnership and corporate accounting, coupled with bonds payable and notes payable, equips you with the knowledge needed to manage complex accounting functions. This position typically requires a master's degree in accounting or a related field.
Business Owner
A Business Owner manages all aspects of running a business, including financial management. This course provides a solid foundation in financial accounting, which is helpful for understanding and managing your business's finances. From understanding the double-entry accounting system to preparing financial statements, you will gain a strong foundation in financial accounting. The course emphasizes practical application through Excel and real-world examples, ensuring you can apply these skills to manage your business finances effectively. It might be especially useful.
Finance Manager
The Finance Manager is responsible for overseeing the financial health of an organization, including financial planning, analysis, and reporting. While this course focuses on financial accounting, it also may provide a solid foundation for understanding financial statements and financial analysis. This course lays a foundation for the more advanced principles you'll use regularly. The course covers topics such as corporate accounting, cash flow statements, and long-term liabilities, which contribute to financial decision-making. In particular, the sections on bonds payable and notes payable may be valuable in further understanding.
Consultant
As a Consultant, you provide expert advice to organizations on various aspects of financial management and accounting. This Financial Accounting course may be helpful in providing a comprehensive understanding of financial accounting principles and practices. The course covers a wide range of topics, from recording transactions to preparing financial statements, which can help you analyze and interpret financial data effectively. The course's emphasis on understanding the underlying theories behind accounting procedures can help with this career.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts evaluate financial data, provide investment recommendations, and help businesses make informed decisions. This Financial Accounting course may be helpful in providing a solid foundation in financial accounting principles and financial statement analysis. The course covers topics such as corporate accounting, bonds payable, and the preparation of cash flow statements, which are valuable in assessing financial performance and making investment decisions. The course's insights into cash flow statements may be particularly useful for a budding Financial Analyst.
Forensic Accountant
Forensic Accountants investigate financial fraud and irregularities, often working in legal settings. Although this course does not cover forensic accounting techniques specifically, it may be helpful in understanding financial accounting principles and practices, which are essential for detecting fraud. The course covers topics such as internal controls, bank reconciliations, and financial statement analysis, which can help in identifying anomalies and irregularities in financial records. The sections on ethics and internal controls may be particularly useful.
Tax Preparer
A Tax Preparer assists individuals or businesses with the preparation and filing of tax returns. While this course focuses on financial accounting rather than tax law, it still may provide a solid foundation in understanding financial transactions and record-keeping, which are essential for tax preparation. Understanding debits and credits along with period end adjusting entries can help in categorizing income and expenses accurately. This course's coverage of payroll accounting may be useful for understanding employment tax implications, in particular.
Credit Analyst
Credit Analysts assess the creditworthiness of individuals or businesses and determine the risk of lending money. This Financial Accounting course may be useful in providing a solid understanding of financial statements and financial ratios, which are used to evaluate credit risk. The course covers topics such as accounts receivable, long-term liabilities, and the preparation of financial statements, which can help in assessing a borrower's ability to repay debt. You may also find this course's segment on bank reconciliations helpful.
Budget Analyst
Budget Analysts are responsible for developing and managing budgets, analyzing financial data, and providing recommendations for cost control. This Financial Accounting course may be useful by providing a solid understanding of financial transactions, cost flow assumptions, and financial statement preparation, which is foundational to build budgets. The course also covers topics such as corporate accounting and cash flow statements, which can help in analyzing financial performance and making informed budget decisions. Understanding how to update and adjust accounting records may be useful in this role.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Financial Accounting: A Comprehensive Guide with E-book.
Offers a clear and concise explanation of financial accounting concepts. It is useful for reinforcing the material covered in the course. It provides practical examples and real-world applications. It valuable resource for students looking to deepen their understanding of financial accounting.
Provides a user-friendly introduction to accounting principles. It is helpful for those with little to no prior accounting knowledge. It covers the basics of financial and managerial accounting. It good resource for understanding the fundamental concepts before diving into the comprehensive course material.

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