Learning a new skill is always a good idea, whether it’s for your job or just something to keep you entertained.
Developing new skills helps us to grow, especially in our careers when it comes to new software programs, it is an ever-changing landscape that impacts some professions more than others.
New software doesn’t necessarily have to be negative, these developments in technology may be confusing at first but can be hugely beneficial in the long run.
QuickBooks is an increasingly popular accounting software that can be used by small and medium-sized businesses to keep track of their finances and various other important aspects.
It allows trained professionals and everyday people to manage a range of financial aspects.
In this article, learn where to find free online QuickBooks classes to help you use the software.
What Is QuickBooks?
QuickBooks is an accounting software package that can be used by any sized business. The primary target audience is small to medium-sized businesses that want to take control of their accounts themselves.
There are several different products from the company that allows businesses to serve different purposes such as QuickBooks Online, Payroll, and Desktop versions.
For example, QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based product that doesn’t require you to download anything, you can access the data and all account information using a secure log-in.
Each version of the QuickBooks software has different subscription levels, as you can imagine the higher the subscription level the more tools and resources are available with it.
The higher subscriptions are also impacted by price.
Is QuickBooks Free?
Unfortunately, QuickBooks is not free accounting software. There are various different subscription levels that users can choose from, ranging from $30 to $100 a month.
The more expensive the plan is, the more tools and resources can be accessed.
The site usually has promotional offers for new customers, which could be anything from a free trial to a percentage off your monthly subscription.
Although using the software isn’t free, learning about it is! If you are starting out in an accounting career, it may be worthwhile gaining some knowledge and experience in using the platform to impress potential employers.
Why Should You Learn To Use QuickBooks?
Anyone who has a career in accounting or a similar field would benefit from learning how to use QuickBooks as it is increasingly popular accounting software.
No matter the stage of your career, employers will be impressed if you have knowledge and experience in using this software as they may use this software or something similar.
Free QuickBooks Classes
There are a number of websites that offer free QuickBooks classes online, these may come in different formats and course lengths.
Quickbooks Certification
The QuickBooks website offers free certification training and exams for accountants that have the accounting software.
With the free training, students will become experts at using the software, from basic setup to using the range of tools you’ll be able to do everything a professional accountant needs to do on a daily basis.
When you’ve achieved a certification status, QuickBooks will give you access to marketing resources that will help distinguish your company, get leads, and build a positive brand image.
The self-paced learning occurs in the form of webinars, virtual conferences, videos, and in-person events to help give each student the best possible opportunity to learn.
The step-by-step videos provide easy information for even the least experienced technology users.
Pros
- From the company that made the software
- It’s free for people who have a QuickBooks subscription
- Certification upon completion which can be shown to potential customers or employers
- Annual recertification is offered to customers every year to help them stay up-to-date with new features
- Interactive learning and exam which allows users to assess their knowledge
Cons
- You have to have access to a QuickBooks subscription, which means you can’t get certified if you don’t already have an account and subscription
Free Bookkeeping Accounting
This free website contains a number of tutorials and courses that surround bookkeeping and accounting, including a basic training course on how to use QuickBooks.
The course consists of 21 parts from an introduction to the software to how to view reports. Other sections include bank reconciliation and a quick guide to VAT returns.
Each part of the course is delivered in a handy YouTube video format, which makes the information easily digestible and free to access at any time.
Amongst the courses already available, there is a number in development as indicated on the website. Courses that are ‘coming soon’ include ‘A Quick Guide to QuickBooks Projects’ and ‘A Quick Guide to QuickBooks Budgets’.
Pros
- Easy to learn with bite-sized videos
- You don’t need to pay for a QuickBooks subscription to be able to access the information
- Completely free and you don’t need any subscriptions or trails to access the information
Cons
- There aren’t any exams to test your knowledge and prove your proficiency in using the software
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is an excellent resource from the business social media site, it allows subscribers to partake in a number of online courses to help up-skill themselves from soft to hard skills.
Although you have to pay for a learning subscription, many companies will pay for their employees to have access to this, and it is worth asking about.
If you don’t have access to this platform, you can sign up for a free trial that lasts for a month.
The course itself is called ‘QuickBooks Online Essential Training’ and takes around 4 hours to complete as it’s a beginner/intermediate level course.
Once you’ve completed the learning you’ll receive a shareable certificate which can be added to your profile.
Pros
- Shareable certificate that can be added to your LinkedIn profile
- Learn at your own pace when you want
- Highly rated course taken by thousands of learners
Cons
- You need to cancel the subscription after the free trial so you aren’t charged
Udemy
Udemy is an online learning platform that offers a variety of free and paid online courses on almost every subject you can think of.
There are a few free courses relating to QuickBooks, one of which is titled ‘Getting to Know Quickbooks Online’.
This is a two-hour video course that helps you better understand the interface of the software and how to maintain business records. There are 3 hands-on exercises for students to complete.
As it’s a beginner course, there isn’t much in-depth detail to learn from this course but it is ideal for those that are using the software for their own small business.
Pros
- It’s completely free and doesn’t require any subscriptions, just log in to the Udemy website.
- Provides quick and comprehensive information on the basics of using the software ideal for beginners
Cons
- There is no certification after course completion
- You can’t communicate with the instructors if you have any questions
Hector Garcia CPA
Hector Garcia is an accountant, business consultant, and QuickBooks expert. He has previously offered free courses on platforms such as Udemy.
Students can access any number of his QuickBooks tutorials for free on his YouTube page.
With dozens of videos to choose from, you can learn about any aspect of QuickBooks you desire.
Hector releases videos on a weekly and monthly basis, so new features and questions one may have about the software are likely to be answered in these.
Links to the slides and a breakdown of what is included in each video are added in the description box under the video.
If you’re learning to use the software to impress an employer, it can be a handy thing to come back to the slides at a later date.
Pros
- Offers up-to-date information regarding the software
- Completely free information that doesn’t require you to subscribe or sign-up for anything
- Resources and detailed information about the learning are included under the videos to refer back to at any point
- Teaching from a real accountant and QuickBooks expert
Cons
- No testing of learning materials
How Long Does It Take To Learn QuickBooks Online?
It takes approximately 2-3 weeks to become QuickBooks certified when taking the self-paced route.
Intuit QuickBooks does offer a two-day virtual training program which is a complete basic training guide on how to use the software.
However, learning is different for everyone. From the way you learn to how much information you can retain in one session.
There are multiple factors that influence how quickly you can complete the QuickBooks training, so use this estimation as a guideline and work at a pace that’s suitable for you.
Other courses are a lot shorter, taking anywhere from two to ten hours to complete. Read the description of the course you’re taking part in to find this information.
Which Is The Best Free Online Course?
With the courses listed here, there are positives and negatives to each of them.
Although they will all give you a good understanding of how to use QuickBooks and make the most of its different features, there are only a few that are actually ‘free’.
Depending on the need of the person using the software, will influence the level of knowledge needed.
For those using QuickBooks to manage their small businesses’ finances, a beginner course without certification is suitable as they do not need to prove to clients or employers that they are competent at using the software.
Professional accountants or budding professionals may want to opt for courses that are more in-depth and come with a certification to demonstrate they’ve completed the necessary training.
Some employers will pay for their staff to gain access to LinkedIn Learning or may have a QuickBooks subscription in order to up-skill.
All this being said, if you’re already using QuickBooks for your business or an accountancy firm you work for there is no need to go anywhere else but the QuickBooks website as they will offer free information and training for all users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can QuickBooks be self-taught?
Yes. QuickBooks can be completely self-taught through whichever course the student chooses. Therefore, students can learn at their own pace and fit their learning around their other commitments.
Some courses may have limited access to the materials, so be sure to read the fine print when enrolling in any course.
Do You Still Need An Accountant With QuickBooks?
Although QuickBooks gives you all the tools and information you need to manage your finances yourself, it is suggested that you have a chartered accountant check over your tax return.
As they have more detailed knowledge, they can avoid making any mistakes and ultimately cost the company more money than needed. When it comes to taxes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What Is QuickBooks Biggest Competitor?
For those budding accountants trying to decide where they should be investing their valuable time, QuickBooks isn’t the only accounting software out there.
Xero and Sage are probably the biggest competitors for QuickBooks. These are equally suited to small business owners and professional accountants alike.
The Bottom Line
QuickBooks is a great tool for anyone who needs to keep their business accounts in order or accountants that use it to manage their clients.
If you’re using QuickBooks for yourself or the company you work for, there are a number of free online tutorials available to help anyone navigate through their software.
We hope you found this article interesting and informative, giving you a better understanding of the best free QuickBooks courses on the market and how best to utilize them.
