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 detailed financial records and analyzing those records to get a better understanding of the finances of an individual or business. It is an important part of having a business because it helps with decision-making and planning for the future. Some Accountants have their own businesses, others work for accounting companies, and some work for a specific company.
There are different types of accounting, including tax accounting, financial accounting, cost accounting, and managerial accounting. Another accounting specialization is that of Certified Public Accountant (CPA). In a Forbes Advisor article, the author explains the difference between a CPA and a regular Accountant. He says, “An Accountant is a professional with a bachelor’s degree who provides financial advice, tax planning, and bookkeeping services….. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a type of professional Accountant with more training and experience than a typical Accountant. Aspiring CPAs are expected to have a bachelor’s degree, more than two years of public Accounting work experience, pass all four parts of the CPA exam, and meet additional state-specific qualifications if required.”
Most beginner-level accounting classes don’t have prerequisites; instead, you’ll learn the skills that you need as you progress through the class. However, if you are planning to learn accounting, certain knowledge and skills can be helpful. Accounting involves math, and if you don’t know how to do math, then you may find the learning process a lot more difficult. It also involves working with financial data, so it is beneficial to have an understanding of basic business and financial concepts. Also beneficial are strong written and verbal communication skills, because as an Accountant, you’ll need to create reports and communicate financial data to others. Finally, good time management skills can be helpful, since Accountants often have to meet deadlines.
Many people find it challenging to learn accounting. Mastering this subject requires an understanding of many different financial concepts and skills, and Accountants often say that they felt overwhelmed when they started out. If you’re thinking about learning accounting, you should also be aware of the fact that this profession requires lifelong learning because technology and laws change often, and you’ll need to update your knowledge accordingly. Despite the challenges, though, many people find accounting to be a rewarding career. With dedication and practice, almost anyone can master accounting. One way to make the learning process easier is to enroll in a paid accounting class. With a paid class, you’ll get guidance from an expert and will be able to get answers to your questions whenever you need them.
Most accounting classes cover a broad range of financial and business topics. You’re likely to learn how to record and analyze financial data, and how to work with Income Statements, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow Statements. Classes are also likely to cover tax returns, using computer applications like Microsoft Excel, and financial concepts like depreciation and amortization. More advanced classes might cover topics like fraud examination and international accounting.
Noble Desktop, a New York City-based school that was founded in 1990, offers accounting classes. In Intro to Financial Accounting, students examine the financial statements of Apple, Amazon, and other large companies to get a better understanding of accounting. This is a one-day class. Students learn financial accounting fundamentals such as generally accepted accounting principles and cash vs. accrual accounting. They also learn about income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
Noble Desktop also offers Intermediate Financial Accounting, another one-day class. In this class, students learn more complex accounting skills like income statement footnotes, revenue recognition, interest expense, capitalized interest, and stock-based compensation. They also learn to handle unusual items and deal with deferred taxes. Other skills covered in this course include earnings per share, discontinued operations, intercompany investments, and navigating equity method investments.
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, with a regional GDP of $490 billion, and ranks third among all U.S. cities for having the most Fortune 500 company headquarters. It has many different opportunities in accounting. According to the Greater Houston Partnership, it is the seventh-largest metro economy in the country and is one of the best places in the United States to do business. The organization explains, “Houston is pro-growth, with low costs and low regulations, and with no corporate or personal income tax at the state level, companies operating in Houston enjoy one of the lowest overall tax burdens in the country.” There is a steady demand for Accountants who can support financial reporting, auditing, compliance, and budgeting. Large financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley have a strong presence in the region, and need Accountants
The city’s role as the energy capital of the world further expands accounting career possibilities. Major energy corporations—including ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, and Shell—have headquarters or significant operations in Houston, all requiring extensive accounting support. Professionals in this sector may work on cost accounting, joint venture accounting, project budgeting, revenue recognition, and financial risk analysis. Additionally, the energy industry’s complexity makes it a prime field for accountants specializing in regulatory compliance, tax strategy, and environmental reporting. Supporting industries—such as oilfield services, engineering firms, and energy technology companies—also maintain strong accounting departments to manage contracts, equipment investments, and long-term capital projects.
Beyond energy and finance, Houston’s growing healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and aerospace sectors create additional opportunities for accounting professionals. Healthcare systems like Memorial Hermann Health System, Houston Methodist, and MD Anderson Cancer Center depend on Accountants to oversee budgeting, patient revenue cycles, and federal reporting. The Port of Houston and the region’s transportation companies rely on accountants for supply chain cost analysis and financial planning, while manufacturing firms need professionals who can handle inventory accounting, cost analysis, and operational auditing. Houston is also home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where contractors and aerospace firms require sophisticated financial oversight and government contract accounting.
Learning accounting can lead to a variety of different jobs. One of the most basic is bookkeeping, which is focused on keeping financial records. Accountants keep records too, but they also go a step further, analyzing and reporting on that information. Some Accountants choose to focus on a specific type of accounting. For instance, a Financial Accountant is someone who works with financial transactions related to business operations. Another popular accounting job is the role of Certified Public Accountant (CPA). In order to become a CPA, you need to meet strict educational and testing requirements. In Houston, a Bookkeeper can expect to earn $38,000 to $59,000, according to Glassdoor, a website that provides salary estimates for a wide range of jobs. Glassdoor finds that the average salary for an Accountant is $55,000 to $86,000, and $73,000 to $117,000 for a Financial Accountant. It is $83,000 to $147,000 for a CPA.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a federal agency that tracks U.S. labor market statistics, predicts that over the next ten years, accounting jobs will grow by about 4 percent in the United States. Overall, it says, “Globalization, a growing economy, and a complex tax and regulatory environment are expected to continue leading to the strong demand for Accountants and auditors.” It finds that Houston is one of the ten top-paying metropolitan areas in the United States for Accountants, with an annual mean wage of about $94,000.
The agency also provides information for Financial Managers and Budget Analysts, who also use Accounting. Over the next ten years, Financial Managers are expected to see 16 percent job growth, which is much faster than average. The BLS says, “Services provided by financial managers such as planning, directing, and coordinating investments, are likely to stay in-demand as the economy grows. In addition, several specialties within financial management, particularly cash management and risk management, are expected to be in high demand over the decade.” Job growth for Budget Analysts is predicted to be about 3 percent. The median pay for Financial Managers in Houston is $176,000, according to the BLS. For Budget Analysts, it is $92,000. The BLS also includes Houston on its list of the ten metropolitan areas with the highest level of employment for Financial Managers, with more than 14,000 people employed, and Budget Analysts, with more than 800 people employed. The agency reports that almost a quarter of Budget Analysts work for the federal government. Many are also employed in education and by state and local governments.
Having employees who are trained in accounting can be beneficial, no matter what type of company you run. You can find corporate and onsite accounting training programs offered through Noble Desktop, with flexible options to meet any schedule. Content can be customized to meet your specific needs. Virtual training sessions are conducted through Zoom or another teleconferencing platform. You can also choose to purchase vouchers for Noble’s regular group classes so that employees can enroll individually. There is a discount with the purchase of multiple vouchers. Email Noble Desktop for more information about corporate training options.