Learn key skills and concepts for financial accounting in this beginner-friendly course, from the basics of accounting statements to complex topics like investments and securities.
Learn how to analyze financial statements and reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, and understand essential financial accounting principles and metrics. This course offers hands-on exercises using real-life examples from well-known companies like Facebook, Amazon, and Apple to demonstrate practical application.
Build your knowledge of investments, securities, debt accounting, and other complex financial accounting concepts in this class.
Accounting is the process of keeping a record of financial transactions and analyzing and interpreting that information to get a better understanding of past and future financial decisions. It’s an important part of running a business, both for proper business management and for tax and legal reasons. In a Nerdwallet article, the author explains that accounting is more complex than many people think. She says, “It sounds simple, but in reality, a lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into accurately reporting on a business’s financial state. Accounting requires meticulous record-keeping and financial transaction tracking year-round. Moreover, keeping accurate records helps ensure your business is prepared to file taxes, present information to investors or even apply for a loan.”
There are different types of accounting, all with different functions. For instance, Tax Accountants help individuals and businesses follow tax codes. Financial Accountants work with financial transactions like income statements and balance sheets. Managerial Accountants create reports that help people in management positions make better business decisions. There are also several other types of Accountants. An Accountant is different from a Bookkeeper; bookkeeping is simply recording financial transactions, while accounting also includes interpreting the recorded information.
Unless you are taking an advanced accounting class, you’re unlikely to find prerequisites to learning accounting. However, having certain skills and knowledge might make your learning process easier. You’ll almost definitely need to have some math skills, because accounting involves performing mathematical calculations. Since Accountants are involved in preparing financial statements, it can also be helpful to have some understanding of basic business and financial concepts. Other skills that are beneficial in accounting are attention to detail and strong written and verbal communication skills, because accounting often involves producing reports and communicating financial data to other people.
Many people say that it is relatively challenging to learn accounting. To become an Accountant, you’ll need to become proficient in several different complex skills and master a wide range of financial concepts, and this can feel overwhelming at first. In addition, technologies and laws change frequently, so being an Accountant will involve lifelong learning to keep your knowledge current. However, while there might be some challenging aspects of learning accounting, with practice and dedication, almost anyone can become an Accountant. Enrolling in a paid class can be a great way to learn because you’ll have access to an expert instructor who can guide you through the learning process and answer any questions that you have.
When you take an accounting course, you’ll learn methods and standards for working with financial data. You’ll also learn about a wide range of financial and business topics. Some of the specific topics that are likely to be covered include preparing financial and tax records, analyzing financial data, depreciation and amortization, and creating income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States, with a population of almost 3 million people, and it has many different employment opportunities for people with accounting skills. According to World Business Chicago, this city has the third-highest employment among U.S. metros for the finance and insurance sector. It says, “Chicago is a hub for finance. Today, Chicago has the most diverse economy among U.S. metros and the third highest employment in the finance and insurance sector.” The organization reports that this sector employs more than 240,000 people and generates over $53 billion annually. In addition, it says, “FinTech has evolved into one of Chicago’s fastest growing tech verticals.” It reports that the city’s FinTech consists of more than 300 companies and raised more than $4.58 billion in growth capital in 2021. In 2021, Chicago’s FinTech also produced three unicorns, three initial public offerings, and five mega rounds. In 2023, Chicago made the annual list of the top ten global financial centers compiled by Z/Yen Partners in collaboration with the China Development Institute. Some of the biggest finance companies in Chicago are BMO US, Northern Trust, CME Group, Discover Financial Services, and Hightower Advisors.
With accounting skills, you can work in a variety of different types of jobs. The position of Bookkeeper is one of the most basic. Bookkeepers simply keep financial records. Accountants go a step further, and also analyze and report on the information that they record. Accountants do things like create forecasts and prepare taxes. As an Accountant, you can also choose to specialize. For example, you could become a Financial Accountant, focused on working with financial transactions related to business operations. Another type of accounting job is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). CPAs must meet strict educational and testing requirements to earn their certification. According to Glassdoor, which provides salary estimates for many different jobs, in Chicago, a Bookkeeper has an average salary of $44,000 to $63,000, and an Accountant earns about $62,000 to $94,000. The average salary for a Financial Accountant is $78,000 to $119,000, and for a CPA it is $95,000 to $164,000.
According to the BLS, between 2022 and 2032, accounting jobs in the United States will grow by about 4 percent. The agency notes that this profession may be affected by advances in technology over the next decade. It says, “Some routine accounting tasks may be automated as platforms such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain become more widespread.” However, it adds that this trend is unlikely to affect overall employment. It says, “Although it will increase accountants’ efficiency, this change is not expected to reduce overall demand. The automation of routine tasks such as data entry will instead make accountants’ advisory and analytical duties more prominent.” The BLS reports that the Chicago metropolitan area is the fourth-largest employer of Accountants in the United States, and that they have an average salary of almost $88,000 in this city.
A higher-level job that includes accounting is that of a Financial Manager. The BLS predicts much faster than average growth in this profession—an estimated 16 percent over the next ten years. It reports that Financial Managers have a median pay of almost $140,000 per year in the United States. According to the BLS statistics, Chicago has the third-highest level of employment of Financial Managers in the country, employing about 35,000 people. It also reports that the average salary for this job in Chicago is about $162,000.
Budget Analysts also use accounting. The predicted growth rate for this profession between 2022 and 2032 is 3 percent, which is about average. The BLS explains that a significant percentage of Budget Analysts—about a quarter—work for the federal government.
Noble Desktop is a school based in New York City that has several accounting course offerings, all of which are available online in addition to in-person at its Manhattan campus. Intro to Financial Accounting is a beginner course where students learn how to analyze financial statements and reports. It covers financial accounting basics, income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. This is a one-day class, and tuition is $325. Another Noble option is the Financial Accounting Bootcamp. This course includes two sessions and costs $549. Students learn about introductory financial accounting topics such as different types of financial reports, depreciation and amortization, and analytical tools like year-over-year comparisons. Instructors also cover more advanced topics like balance sheets, cash flow statements, and the advanced structure of income statements.
Another online option is the QuickBooks Bootcamp, offered through NYC Career Centers. This New York-based school provides a range of business and corporate training courses. The bootcamp includes two sessions, and tuition is $499. It covers core QuickBooks skills such as how to set up and navigate QuickBooks, record transactions and track expenses, and generate reports. Students also learn how to invoice and process payments, customize forms, work with credit card accounts, manage inventory, and run payroll.
Accounting skills can be a valuable asset to any company. Noble Desktop offers corporate and on-site accounting training programs for companies that want to train their employees in these skills. Scheduling options are flexible, and programs can be customized according to your needs. Virtual training sessions take place via Zoom or another teleconferencing platform. Another corporate training option is to purchase vouchers for Noble’s open-enrollment group classes and allow employees to enroll individually. Companies that purchase multiple vouchers will receive a discount. For more information about corporate accounting training options or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Noble Desktop.
In the heart of the Midwest’s finance capital, there’s opportunity everywhere. From tech startups in Fulton Market to powerhouse Fortune 500 firms in the Loop, Chicago offers a virtually endless array of ways to level up your skills in tech, business, data, and design. The city thrives on bold ideas, making it the perfect place to grow a career that is not only lucrative but also makes a real impact. With expert instructors with decades of experience, you’ll learn more about the subjects you’re interested in, all while receiving hands-on training. These instructors live and breathe to explore and work within their field, meaning they don’t just teach; they mentor, guide, and connect you to the heart of Chicago’s many successful industries and direct you to the most meaningful path to help you achieve your goals.
Noble Desktop’s partner school, Practical Programming, has state-of-the-art facilities conveniently located in downtown Chicago’s iconic Hayworth Building at 29 E. Madison Street, Chicago, IL, 60602. It’s an easy-to-find location for students from across the city to attend. The campus is modern, equipped with the necessary tech and tools you may need, and provides resources like Wi-Fi, comfortable workstations, and expert instructors and staff ready to help you learn. Getting there is simple, whether you’re commuting from the Loop, River North, or surrounding areas. The school is easily accessible from the CTA trains and buses, with nearby stops for major lines like the Red, Blue, and Brown. If you’re driving, you can park nearby at various parking decks and metered spots within walking distance. The central location means you won’t have to stress about making it to class, and that your training sessions can fit into any schedule with ease.
Accounting skills support financial oversight, budgeting, and compliance across Chicago’s corporate and nonprofit sectors. Students taking courses with Noble Desktop will get to learn from instructors who connect core accounting principles to real organizational processes.
Henry Gonzalez is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 30 years of experience in the federal government, leading engineering, program management, and acquisition initiatives in naval warfare, air traffic management, and homeland security. A retired senior executive, Henry now serves as a part-time instructor in Chicago, where he teaches project and program management, leadership, and strategic planning to professionals of all kinds. He holds the highest level of federal certification one can hold for acquisition program management and systems engineering. In addition, Henry was part of the core team that updated the Project Management Institute’s Standard for Program Management. Henry is also a certified Balanced Scorecard Professional and holds a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from Florida Atlantic University, along with a dual Master of Science in Ocean Engineering and Ocean Systems Management from MIT.
Robert Simon is a highly accomplished financial management professional and educator with more than four decades of federal and private sector experience. As a Financial and Management Curricula Instructor at Graduate School USA since 2007, he teaches courses in financial management, federal travel regulations, and organizational leadership, both virtually and in person. Prior to his teaching career, he held senior roles at the General Services Administration, overseeing a six-state regional budget of approximately $100 million, and at the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Management Service, where he led national training initiatives on electronic banking. Robert’s background spans accounting, budgeting, and program analysis, holding certifications as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Government Financial Manager.
Edward (Scott) Dillion is a seasoned financial expert with over three decades of experience in the Department of Defense, where he specialized in a range of financial management areas like budgeting and auditing, as well as performance-based management and cost analysis. He holds an MBA from Southern Illinois University and a B.A. in Business Administration from Grove City College. After retiring in 2014, Scott pivoted to a second career in education and consulting. He teaches project management and marketing at Graduate School USA and has also taught courses in federal budgeting. Additionally, Scott serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Management Concepts Inc., where he helps develop financial management course materials. He also has a lifetime membership with the American Society of Military Comptrollers, holds a Top Secret security clearance with the Department of Defense, and is a recognized Tier 2 instructor at Graduate School USA for his wealth of experience.