We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Vincent Turner

    This is not your typical accounting course.  

    Professor Turner has taught thousands of students basic accounting.  He has developed shortcuts and analogies to make learning accounting easy.  If you want to understand this subject in a simple, fun way then this brief introductory course is for you. 

Read more

    This is not your typical accounting course.  

    Professor Turner has taught thousands of students basic accounting.  He has developed shortcuts and analogies to make learning accounting easy.  If you want to understand this subject in a simple, fun way then this brief introductory course is for you. 

    This course will show you the very basics of accounting.  You can complete it in about an hour.  The course includes videos of the instructor at the whiteboard.  You will complete simple quizzes to reinforce what you have learned.  This course is intended for business owners, business students, managers or anyone who wants to understand basic accounting.  It presents the information in an understandable format.  Even if you have taken an accounting course you will find the material insightful. 

    The course introduces 

  • The Accounting Equation (One you can understand. )

  • Balance Sheets

  • Income Statements

  • Debits and Credits (And how to know which is which. )

  • Why Profit Does Not Equal Cash.

    If you have dreaded the thought of learning accounting, this is exactly the introduction you will welcome.  

    Why should take this course? 

    You are a business owner.  You want your business to succeed and you know that you need a better understanding of how the numbers are put together. 

    You are a manager.  You deal with accounting staff, bookkeepers, owners and subordinates.  You hear accounting terms daily but you want to know more about what accounting means. 

    You are a business student.  You dread taking your first accounting course.  Or maybe you are in an introductory class right now.  It all sounds so complicated.  You want to find a simple explanation of what you are trying to learn. 

    You are an accounting student.  You feel that you really did not get a firm grasp of the basics.  You would like to start from scratch in an easy to learn format. 

CPE (Continuing Professional Education)

Learning Objectives

  1. Apply the basic accounting formula

  2. Identify assets, liabilities and equity

  3. Describe how the income statement and balance sheet are connected

  4. Recognize why profit does not equal cash

  5. Interpret a balance sheet

  6. Predict when an account increases with a debit or increase with a credit

  7. Summarize the purpose of a trial balance

  8. Differentiate income statement accounts from balance sheet accounts

For additional information, including refunds and complaints, please see Udemy Terms of Use, which is linked from the footer of this page.

For more information regarding administrative policies, please contact our support using the Help and Support link at the bottom of this page.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand the basic accounting equation
  • Know the difference between a debit and a credit
  • See how to prepare a balance sheet and income statement
  • Understand why profit does not equal cash

Syllabus

The Accounting Equation
The accounting equation is the basis of accounting.  However, the formal equation can be confusing.  In this lecture you will learn the simplified equation (What=Who) and how it is the foundation of the accounting profession.  By the end of the lecture you will understand the more formal accounting equation.
Read more

Let's review what you've learned in Section 1.

I've developed a one page scratch sheet that you can use when entering debits and credits. You will see that the T-account is shaded on the side that reflects its normal balance. Print these out and keep them near by!

Let's review what you've learned in Section 2.

Let's review what you've learned in Section 3.

Let's review what you've learned in Section 4.

Here is a valuable extra! I've placed this short ebook for you that will reinforce much of the information that we have covered so far! I even did the artwork myself!

Let's review what you've learned in Section 5.

Let's review what you've learned in Section 6

A cupcakes store recently opened in our town. It was located in the new section of the city. The owner did not spare any expense in setting up the store. But alas. Twelve months later the store closed and the owner's dreams were vanquished.

I thought to myself: "They didn't figre out how many cupcakes to sell to pay the rent!"

Every day entrepreneurs launch their dream and look forward to the day when their operation is a thriving business. However, they don't calculate how many cupcakes do they have to sell to pay the rent!

What is takes to break even is the single most important number in your enterprise. Without it, you do not have a targe to reach for.

This ebook "Who To Increase Your Profits with Break Even Analysis" will show you not only how to compute your break even point, but it will give you four strategies to increase your profits.

Whether you have been in business for some time or if you are just thinking about starting a business, this fun to read booklet provides you the tools to formulate a profitable strategy!

It is my gift to you! Enjoy! I hope that it makes for ever expanding profits!

In order to receive CPE credit for this course, you must a) complete all course content, and b) pass this qualified assessment with 70% or greater.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces crucial accounting topics
Well-organized and easy-to-digest materials
The course is suitable for individuals looking for a basic understanding of accounting
The bite-sized lessons facilitate a flexible learning pace

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Accounting basics: clear, concise & quick

According to learners, this course serves as an excellent, brief introduction to accounting fundamentals. Many found it to be remarkably clear and easy to understand, particularly for concepts like debits, credits, and financial statements. It's often praised as ideal for beginners, business owners, and managers seeking practical insights without overwhelming detail. Students appreciated the simplified explanations and analogies provided by the instructor, making a potentially dry subject accessible. While highly effective for a quick grasp of basics, some noted it offers limited depth for advanced learners.
Professor Turner's style and supplementary materials are effective.
"Professor Turner makes learning enjoyable and simple with his whiteboard explanations and clear voice."
"The provided scratch sheet and the bonus ebook are incredibly useful for reinforcing lessons and applying concepts."
"His teaching approach truly simplifies what can be a very dry subject, keeping me engaged throughout."
Delivers key information quickly, as advertised.
"I completed it in under an hour and learned so much in that short time, it's incredibly efficient."
"The '60 minutes' promise is real; it's straight to the point and covers the essentials quickly."
"This course is perfect for a quick refresh or an initial dive into accounting terms when you're short on time."
Perfectly suited for those with no prior accounting knowledge.
"As a business owner, I finally understood the basics I needed to manage my finances without getting bogged down."
"This course is exactly what I needed to get over my fear of accounting; it truly starts from scratch."
"It provides a solid foundation for anyone new to financial statements or struggling with traditional textbooks."
Effectively simplifies core accounting concepts.
"I found the explanations incredibly clear, especially for debits and credits, which used to confuse me."
"It's a perfect brief introduction, making complex topics easy to grasp without unnecessary jargon."
"The analogies used by Professor Turner really helped me understand difficult concepts quickly and intuitively."
Focuses strictly on basics, not for in-depth study.
"While excellent for basics, I wouldn't recommend it if you need a deeper dive into complex financial analysis."
"It's an introduction, so don't expect comprehensive coverage of all accounting principles beyond the absolute essentials."
"For those already familiar with accounting, or looking for advanced topics, it might be too basic and lack challenge."

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 Accounting in 60 Minutes - A Brief Introduction with these activities:
Read a book on accounting
Reading a book on accounting can provide you with a comprehensive overview of the subject.
Show steps
  • Find a book on accounting that is appropriate for your level of knowledge.
  • Read the book and take notes on the key concepts.
Review key accounting concepts
Reviewing key accounting concepts will help you understand the course material more easily.
Browse courses on Accounting Concepts
Show steps
  • Read through your old notes or textbooks on accounting.
  • Take a practice quiz or exam to test your knowledge.
Find a mentor or tutor
Having a mentor or tutor can provide you with support and guidance as you learn about accounting.
Show steps
  • Ask your friends, family, or colleagues if they know any accountants.
  • Contact local accounting firms or universities to see if they offer mentoring programs.
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
Attend industry events
Attending industry events can help you network with other accountants and learn about the latest trends in the field.
Show steps
  • Find industry events in your area.
  • Attend the events and introduce yourself to other accountants.

Career center

Learners who complete Accounting in 60 Minutes - A Brief Introduction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser