This course is a clear guide to tracking transactions, preparing reports, and managing your business's finances. It simplifies tax preparation and bookkeeping tasks with QuickBooks Online and other cloud-based tools.

Bookkeeping For Dummies
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Recommended experience
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Use QuickBooks Online for secure and efficient bookkeeping
Understand tax laws and prepare compliant financial reports
Track business operations through journals, ledgers, and financial statements
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August 2026
26 assignments
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There are 25 modules in this course
This module provides an introduction to basic bookkeeping practices, focusing on financial record analysis, journal maintenance, and the importance of internal controls. Learners will gain practical skills in managing small business finances effectively and efficiently.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
2 readings•Total 14 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Keeping Journals•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Understanding Basic Accounting Concepts•16 minutes
This module introduces the foundational concepts of bookkeeping, including essential terminology, the accounting cycle, and the principles of double-entry bookkeeping. Learners will gain an understanding of how to track financial transactions effectively and make informed business decisions based on accurate records.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 21 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Other Common Terms•6 minutes
- Waiting for Funds with Cash-Basis Accounting•5 minutes
- Seeing Double with Double-Entry Bookkeeping•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Bookkeeping Fundamentals•16 minutes
This module introduces learners to the foundational elements of a Chart of Accounts, covering how to classify financial transactions into assets, liabilities, and revenue accounts. It explains the importance of organizing financial data and how to track business performance effectively. Learners will gain practical skills in setting up and interpreting financial records.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 28 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Current Assets•7 minutes
- Laying Out Your Liabilities•6 minutes
- Recording the Money You Make•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Financial Road Map Fundamentals•16 minutes
This module covers the role and function of general ledgers in business accounting, including how to create, post, and correct entries. Learners will gain practical skills in maintaining accurate financial records and identifying errors in accounting systems.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
2 readings•Total 14 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Posting Entries to the Ledger•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Fundamentals of the General Ledger•16 minutes
This module provides an in-depth look at the importance of journals in tracking financial transactions, including cash disbursements, purchase records, and the process of posting journal data to accounts. Learners will gain practical knowledge on how to manage and organize financial information effectively.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 26 minutes
- Introduction•7 minutes
- Following Outgoing Cash•6 minutes
- Keeping Track of Purchases•6 minutes
- Posting Journal Information to Accounts•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Fundamentals of Accounting Journals•16 minutes
This module covers the fundamentals of computerized bookkeeping systems, including how to choose, customize, and implement accounting software to improve accuracy and compliance in small business operations.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 16 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Sage 50 Accounting•6 minutes
- Customizing Software to Match Your Operations•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Computer Options for Bookkeeping•16 minutes
This module covers essential practices for managing cash flow, documentation, and staff roles to ensure financial integrity and operational efficiency in a business setting. Learners will gain practical knowledge on controlling cash, maintaining proper paperwork, and establishing secure financial procedures.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
6 readings•Total 36 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Deciding on Types of Checks•5 minutes
- Petty Cash Accounts•7 minutes
- Keeping the Right Paperwork•5 minutes
- Figuring Out What to Keep and for How Long•7 minutes
- Dividing Staff Responsibilities•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Managing Financial Controls and Documentation•16 minutes
This module covers essential strategies for protecting financial data in online bookkeeping systems. It explores the implementation of strong authentication methods, access controls, and data encryption to prevent security breaches. Learners will gain practical knowledge on how to create and maintain secure financial operations.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
2 readings•Total 9 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Developing Employee Controls and Permissions•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Securing Financial Data Online•16 minutes
This module covers the essential processes of tracking purchase costs, managing inventory value, and optimizing purchasing and bill management. Learners will gain practical skills in recording initial inventory costs, understanding inventory valuation methods, and effectively managing accounts payable to support business profitability and operational efficiency.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 21 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Entering Initial Cost•4 minutes
- Managing Inventory and Its Value•5 minutes
- Comparing the Methods•5 minutes
- Staying on Top of Your Bills•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Inventory Management and Financial Implications•16 minutes
This module covers the essential processes of tracking sales, recording cash and credit transactions, managing accounts receivable, and handling sales discounts. Learners will gain practical skills in maintaining accurate financial records and making informed business decisions based on sales data.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 22 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Recording Cash Transactions in the Books•5 minutes
- Recording Store Credit Transactions in the Books•5 minutes
- Tracking Sales Discounts•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Sales and Financial Obligations•16 minutes
This module covers the essential processes of managing employee payroll, including wage determination, tax withholding, and benefits administration. Learners will gain practical knowledge on how to calculate pay for hourly employees and understand the tax implications of various benefits. It provides a comprehensive overview of payroll management for business owners and HR professionals.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 31 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Determining Wage and Salary Types•6 minutes
- Figuring Out Federal Withholding Tax•4 minutes
- Tax-exempt Benefits•6 minutes
- Calculating Payroll for Hourly Employees•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Employee Payroll and Benefits Fundamentals•16 minutes
This module provides an in-depth look at employer-paid taxes, including Social Security and Medicare, and explains the process of filing Form 941 and other government payroll reports. Learners will gain an understanding of compliance requirements, unemployment tax obligations, and practical steps for managing payroll responsibilities.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 18 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Completing Unemployment Reports and Paying Unemployment Taxes•5 minutes
- Filing and Paying Unemployment Taxes to State Governments•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Employer Tax Obligations and Reporting•16 minutes
This module covers the fundamentals of asset depreciation, including methods like straight-line and units of production, how to calculate cost basis, and the impact of depreciation on financial statements. Learners will gain practical knowledge of how businesses allocate long-term asset costs over time.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 18 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Delving into the Cost Basis•6 minutes
- Units of Production•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Depreciating Your Assets•16 minutes
This module covers the principles of calculating and recording interest for business loans, including both simple and compound interest. It provides practical insights into tracking interest income and managing long-term liabilities, helping learners understand how to maintain accurate financial records.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 16 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- How Credit Card Interest Is Calculated•6 minutes
- Major Purchases and Long-Term Debt•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Interest and Debt Management Fundamentals•16 minutes
This module teaches learners how to verify cash accuracy, close cash journals, and reconcile bank and credit card statements. It provides practical skills for ensuring financial records align with physical cash and bank balances. Learners will gain confidence in managing cash flow and maintaining accurate financial records.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 23 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Closing the Cash Journals•6 minutes
- Reconciling Your Credit Card Statements•6 minutes
- Reconciling Bank Accounts•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Cash Handling and Financial Verification•16 minutes
This module focuses on the process of closing journals in accounting, covering accuracy checks, adjustment postings, and the importance of summarizing financial data for reporting. Learners will gain practical skills in verifying journal entries and using both manual and computerized systems effectively.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 16 minutes
- Introduction•7 minutes
- Analyzing Summary Results•5 minutes
- Checking Out Computerized Journal Records•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Journal Management and Financial Accuracy•16 minutes
This module focuses on techniques for verifying the accuracy of financial records through trial balances, error detection in double-entry systems, and using accounting software to ensure reliable financial reporting. Learners will gain practical skills in identifying discrepancies and leveraging technology for accurate bookkeeping.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
2 readings•Total 11 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Testing Your Balance Using Computerized Accounting Systems•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Evaluating Financial Accuracy Through Accounting Practices•16 minutes
This module covers the essential process of making adjusting entries in accounting, including allocating prepaid expenses, recognizing unpaid salaries, and calculating depreciation. Learners will gain a practical understanding of how to ensure accurate financial reporting through proper adjustments.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 18 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Allocating Prepaid Expenses•6 minutes
- Recognizing Unpaid Salaries and Wages•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Adjusting the Books•16 minutes
This module teaches learners how to create and interpret balance sheets, focusing on the identification and classification of assets, liabilities, and equity. It covers the process of taking a financial snapshot of a business and understanding the role of long-term investments and equity in financial reporting.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 18 minutes
- Introduction•3 minutes
- Long-term Assets•6 minutes
- Naming Your Investments•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Fundamentals of Balance Sheet Analysis•16 minutes
This module covers the creation and interpretation of income statements, focusing on their role in business decision-making. Learners will understand how to calculate key financial metrics such as net sales, cost of goods sold, and return on equity. The content also explores how to use income statements to evaluate business performance and profitability.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 21 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Drawing the Remaining Amounts from Your Worksheet•6 minutes
- Using the Income Statement to Make Business Decisions•5 minutes
- Return on Equity•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Financial Statement Analysis and Reporting•16 minutes
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the year-end payroll and reporting process, including the preparation and submission of essential forms like W-2s and W-3s. Learners will gain practical knowledge on gathering employee data, understanding federal requirements, and ensuring accurate reporting to regulatory agencies.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
2 readings•Total 14 minutes
- Introduction•8 minutes
- Sending in Wage Reports•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Year-End Payroll and Reporting Essentials•16 minutes
This module provides an overview of how different business structures impact tax responsibilities. Learners will gain an understanding of tax reporting requirements for sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations, along with managing sales tax obligations. It equips learners with the knowledge to make informed decisions about business taxation.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
2 readings•Total 13 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Tax Reporting for Sole Proprietors•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Taxation Fundamentals for Business Owners•16 minutes
This module guides learners through the essential steps of preparing accounting records for a new cycle, including closing temporary accounts and maintaining balance sheet accounts. It covers the purpose and timing of closing entries and how to transition financial data to start a new accounting period accurately.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
1 reading•Total 8 minutes
- Prepping the Books for a New Accounting Cycle - The Reading•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Preparing Financial Records for a New Accounting Cycle•16 minutes
This module provides essential strategies for effective business cash management through bookkeeping practices. Learners will gain insights into tracking cash flow, balancing entries, and monitoring payments to improve financial decision-making.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
1 reading•Total 5 minutes
- Top Ten Ways to Manage Your Business Cash with Your Books - The Reading•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Business Cash Management Fundamentals•16 minutes
This module provides an overview of key financial accounts essential for accurate bookkeeping, focusing on cash, receivables, payables, and equity. It helps learners understand the role of each account in financial tracking and decision-making. By the end, students will be able to identify and apply these critical accounts in real-world scenarios.
What's included
1 video1 reading2 assignments
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
1 reading•Total 5 minutes
- Top Ten (Okay, Eleven) Most Important Accounts for Any Bookkeeper - The Reading•5 minutes
2 assignments•Total 116 minutes
- Essential Accounting Accounts for Bookkeepers•16 minutes
- The Bookkeeping For Dummies Final Assessment•100 minutes
Instructor

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Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.

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