What Courses Do You Need to Become an Accountant?.
If you have a passion for numbers and can envisage yourself working in the financial sector, or you already have an existing role in this industry, then you should consider expanding your knowledge with online accounting courses. To become an accountant, there are plenty of qualifications that will lead you into this role.
Below, we have explained the options available to you and why your career will benefit from accountancy courses. UK-based learners no longer have to be restricted to classroom study thanks to online learning. You can fit study time around your daily commitments and learn at your own pace. Whether you are a beginner or experienced in finance, there will be a course for you.
What Does an Accountant Do?
Money is the primary focus of an accountant and there are various responsibilities that they take on. An accountant covers a wealth of financial-related tasks, including the following:
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Budgeting
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Financial Reports
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Payroll
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Purchasing
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Tax
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Procurement
When it comes to deciding on the best accounting courses, it is worth noting that there are different types of accountancy. You may be interested in management accounting, which consists of spending forecasts and cost reporting based on budgets. Alternatively, financial accounting may be a more suitable area for you. This involves creating financial statements for shareholders, detailing historical information.
A tax accountant is another role under this umbrellam, and they are responsible for advising businesses of any size how to complete tax forms. As a basic rule, you will need to possess strong numeracy skills and a passion for analytics is certainly a bonus.
What is Accounting and Finance Course?
As mentioned, there are an array of online accounting courses that can expand your knowledge or give you a taste of what a career in accountancy might look like. The Finance and Accounting course provided by Stonebridge Associated Colleges is ideal for individuals hoping to pursue a career in accounting or finance.
Not only that, but if you are planning to start your own business or want a well-rounded knowledge of accounting practices, then this Level 4 Finance and Accounting Certificate is beneficial. By opting for online accounting courses of this nature, you will learn various skills and policies related to the financial sector.
This online accounting course is made up of six units, of which we have outlined below:
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Unit 1: Introduction to Accounting – To become an accountant, you will need to know the fundamentals of the role, and that’s what you’ll learn in this unit. You will also delve into the objectives of managerial accounting and the capital structure
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Unit 2: Financial Statements – Bookkeeping is an essential part of accounting, and in this part of your course you will learn how this process works, as well as how to create a balance sheet
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Unit 3: Interpretation and Analysis of Published Financial Statements – Most online accounting courses will cover analytical techniques required to analyse financial statements, as well as the key issues that crop up
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Unit 4: Cost and Management Accounting Introduction – Through this unit, you will learn about historical costing, marginal costing, break-even analysis and more
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Unit 5: Budgetary Control – With every business setting and working within budgets, online accounting courses will cover the importance of budgeting, as well as the rules and behavioural implications of budgeting
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Unit 6: Capital Investment Appraisal and Project Evaluation – This part of your study centres on the core of capital investment and the non-financial aspects of capital investment appraisal
You will be required to complete a question paper at the end of each unit, with your tutor monitoring your progress and providing you with constructive feedback.
What is Management Accounting Course?
If you are looking for accounting courses that focus on the management aspect of accountancy, then you should undertake a Management Accounting course. This will prepare you for future study relating to management roles in the accounting industry. Eventually, you could be responsible for providing financial information about various organisations to designated managers.
As you can see, accountancy courses, UK learners, can be specified, and if you opt for this course, you will learn the following units:
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An Introduction to Management Accounting
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Relevant Costs for Decision Making
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Investment Decisions
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Further Aspects of Investment Decision Making
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Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis
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Full (Total) Costing
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Budgets and Budgetary Control
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Control Through Variances
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Divisional Performance Measurement and Control
Upon successful completion of this online accounting course, you will receive two certificates, including a Management Accounting Diploma and a Level 3 Management Accounting Certificate of Achievement.
How Long is the Accounting Course?
Unlike classroom study, online accounting courses allow you to study at a pace that suits you. In a matter of weeks or months, you can achieve your certificate, it is all dependent on the speed in which you study.
Can I Become an Accountant with these Courses?
The accounting courses mentioned are designed to give you essential knowledge of the accounting and financial sector. If you are mulling over your career options and would like to test the waters, then undertaking one of the online accounting courses mentioned will give you great insight into what to expect.
After obtaining these qualifications, you can push on towards further study, with most accountancy firms seeking applicants that have qualifications accredited by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT). If you want to take this route, you could progress towards higher level qualifications such as the ACA, ACCA, CIMA, resulting in chartered accountant status.
Some job roles will be open to you with the certifications obtained from the online accounting courses mentioned, but it is important to research this independently. While these online accounting courses are beneficial from a career point of view, they are also helpful for those of you who want to gain a better understanding of managing financial accounts.
For example, if you are building a start-up business, having accountancy knowledge would certainly be beneficial for your overall business growth.
What’s Involved in Online Study?
There is no doubt that studying online accounting courses has benefits that traditional learning cannot match. Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the UK’s leading distance learning providers, with more than 650 courses and over 50,000 students enrolled at any one time. With a range of accredited Diplomas, Awards, and Certificates available, you can switch up your career or enhance the skillset in your current job.
By opting for one of our online accountancy courses, UK learners will get the benefit of the following:
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Flexible study – Learn when you want, where you want! Most courses are 100% online, so as long as you have a computer/laptop and a stable internet connection, you’re good to go
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No exams – Our online accounting courses are assessed through several question papers rather than exams
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24/7 access – All of your learning materials are online and you will be given 24/7 access to them for the duration of your course
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Tutor support – As you make your way through the assignments, you will receive tutor feedback and guidance to help you pass
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Payment options available – Stonebridge Associated Colleges offers flexible payment options to suit your preferred methods
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Easy to use platform – Through our innovative platform, you will be able to access learning materials and complete assignments with ease
Get Started Today!
Unlike traditional classroom studying, you don’t have to wait for a specific date to begin learning. As soon as you enrol on one of our online accounting courses, you can start learning straight away! To find out more information, speak to one of our Career Advisors by calling 0121 392 8288 or visit our support centre.
