Accounting: Principles of Financial Accounting | Coursera For Individuals For Businesses For Universities For Governments Explore Degrees ​ Log In Join for Free Join for Free Accounting: Principles of Financial Accounting About Outcomes Modules Recommendations Testimonials Reviews Previous Next Browse Business Finance Accounting: Principles of Financial Accounting This course is part of multiple programs. Learn more Instructor: Marc Badia Enroll for free Starts Jul 20 171,532 already enrolled Included with Coursera Plus •Learn more Ask Coursera Is this right for me? 4 modules Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals. 4.8 3,334 reviews Beginner level No prior experience required Flexible schedule 1 week at 10 hours a week Learn at your own pace 97% Most learners liked this course 4 modules Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals. 4.8 3,334 reviews Beginner level No prior experience required Flexible schedule 1 week at 10 hours a week Learn at your own pace 97% Most learners liked this course About Outcomes Modules Recommendations Testimonials Reviews Previous Next What you'll learn Utilize accounting principles for informed business decision-making. Skills you'll gain Income Statement Financial Analysis Financial Statement Analysis Financial Accounting Accrual Accounting Balance Sheet Cash Flows Financial Statements Financial Reporting Accruals Accounting Tools you'll learn Microsoft Excel Details to know Shareable certificate Add to your LinkedIn profile Assessments 9 assignments Taught in English 26 languages available See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills Learn more about Coursera for Business Build your subject-matter expertise This course is available as part of multiple programs When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program. Learn new concepts from industry experts Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects Earn a shareable career certificate There are 4 modules in this course Financial Accounting, the language of business, is essential for anyone interacting with financial information. Whether you're a business owner, manager, or just starting your career, understanding financial statements is crucial. This course provides the fundamentals of financial accounting, empowering you to interpret financial statements like balance sheets and income statements for informed decision-making. You'll gain the conceptual base for further learning in accounting and finance. No prior experience is needed. Practice your skills using Microsoft Excel, a critical tool in finance and accounting. Understand the basics of accounting, improving your business and potentially unlocking free courses and certificate opportunities along the way. Introduction to Accounting: The Balance Sheet Module 1•3 hours to completeModule details Welcome! Before you start today's videos, please have a look at the syllabus. In this first module, I'll give you an overview of what accounting is all about and why it's important to have a basic proficiency in this "language." In addition, I'll introduce one of the most important financial reports - the balance sheet - and a practical real-world case so you can put theory into practice. What's included 10 videos 7 readings 2 assignments Show info about module content 10 videos•Total 48 minutes Introduction - Welcome to the Course•4 minutes 1. Accounting: The Language of Business•6 minutes 2. Practice Case: The Campus Bookstore I•7 minutes 3. Practice Case: The Campus Bookstore II•3 minutes 4. Accounting for our First Transactions•3 minutes 5. Accounting for More Transactions•5 minutes 6. Explaining the Balance Sheet•7 minutes 7. Defining an Asset•6 minutes 8. Defining a Liability•4 minutes 9. Recap•2 minutes 7 readings•Total 92 minutes Course Overview & Syllabus•5 minutes Reminder of Coursera's Honor Code•1 minute Transactions Module 1•5 minutes Get help and meet other learners. Join your Community!•5 minutes About Module 1•1 minute Required Reading Module 1: "The Balance Sheet"•30 minutes Required Reading Module 1: "Introduction to Financial Accounting"•45 minutes 2 assignments•Total 50 minutes Quiz Module 1 •30 minutes Why Accounting? A Quick Business Check•20 minutes The Income Statement Module 2•3 hours to completeModule details Now that you are familiar with the balance sheet, in this second module we'll learn how to account for a variety of transactions. In addition, I'll introduce you to another key financial report: the income statement. What's included 11 videos 4 readings 2 assignments Show info about module content 11 videos•Total 49 minutes 1. Introduction to Module 2•1 minute 2. Recap of Module 1•2 minutes 3. Purchasing More Inventory•3 minutes 4. Sales and Cost of Goods Sold•7 minutes 5. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses•5 minutes 6. Some Collections and Payments of Cash•4 minutes 7. Depreciation and Amortization•8 minutes 8. Interest from Bank Loan and Taxes•4 minutes 9. Preparing the Balance Sheet•4 minutes 10. Introducing the Income Statement•7 minutes 11. Recap of Module 2 and Conclusions•4 minutes 4 readings•Total 44 minutes About Module 2•1 minute Transactions Module 2•3 minutes Required Reading Module 2: "The Income Statement"•30 minutes Required Reading Module 2: "Introduction to Financial Accounting"•10 minutes 2 assignments•Total 60 minutes Quiz Module 2•30 minutes What Affects the Income Statement?•30 minutes The Cash Flow Statement Module 3•3 hours to completeModule details Now that you have a good grasp of the balance sheet and income statement, I'll help you master how to recognize the transactions we went over in the second module. I'll also introduce a third financial report - the cash flow statement - and discuss liquidity. What's included 14 videos 3 readings 2 assignments Show info about module content 14 videos•Total 67 minutes 1. Introduction to Module 3•2 minutes 2. Recap of Module 2•3 minutes 3. T-Accounts and Journal Entries•6 minutes 4. Setting up T-Accounts for the Campus Bookstore•3 minutes 5. Sales, Cost of Goods Sold, Collections from Customers and Payment to Suppliers•7 minutes 6. Other Operating Costs•4 minutes 7. Transactions with Non-Current Assets•8 minutes 8. Bank Loans and Interest•4 minutes 9. Taxes, Closing Entries and Payments of Dividends•6 minutes 10. Preparing the Balance Sheet•4 minutes 11. Preparing the Income Statement•5 minutes 12. Introducing the Cash Flow Statement I•7 minutes 13. Introducing the Cash Flow Statement II•4 minutes 14. Recap of Module 3 and Conclusions•3 minutes 3 readings•Total 60 minutes About Module 3•10 minutes Transactions Module 3•10 minutes Required Reading Module 3: "The Statement of Cash Flows"•40 minutes 2 assignments•Total 60 minutes Quiz Module 3•30 minutes Which Account Is Affected?•30 minutes Accrual Accounting Module 4•5 hours to completeModule details By using accrual accounting we can measure performance when a financial transaction takes place, even if no cash has actually changed hands. In this final module, we'll discuss the difference between accrual and cash accounting and also read and interpret a real enterprise's financial statements. What's included 11 videos 6 readings 3 assignments 1 peer review Show info about module content 11 videos•Total 67 minutes 1. Introduction to Module 4•2 minutes 2. Recap of Module 3•6 minutes 3. Accrual accounting vs. cash accounting•5 minutes 4. Measuring performance with accrual accounting•6 minutes 5. A few examples: prepaid insurance, accrued interest and advances from customers•7 minutes 6. Performance evolution of the Campus Bookstore I•8 minutes 7. Performance evolution of the Campus Bookstore II•7 minutes 8. Reading and interpreting real financial statements I•8 minutes 9. Reading and interpreting real financial statements II•4 minutes 10. Advanced topics you can explore on your own•7 minutes 11. Conclusions•6 minutes 6 readings•Total 60 minutes About Module 4•10 minutes Transactions Module 4•10 minutes Quiz 4 Part I with Solutions•10 minutes Quiz Module 4 Background Information for Reference•10 minutes Prompt•10 minutes Solutions•10 minutes 3 assignments•Total 90 minutes Quiz Module 4 - Part 1•30 minutes New Quiz•30 minutes Cash or Accrual?•30 minutes 1 peer review•Total 60 minutes Quiz Module 4 - Part 2•60 minutes Earn a career certificate Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review. Instructor Instructor ratings 4.8 (936 ratings) Marc Badia IESE Business School 1 Course•171,532 learners Offered by IESE Business SchoolLearn more Explore more from Finance RecommendedSpecializations Status: Free TrialFree Trial C Corporate Finance Institute Accounting Fundamentals Course Status: Free TrialFree Trial U University of Virginia Financial Accounting Fundamentals Course Status: PreviewPreview P Politecnico di Milano Fundamentals of financial and management accounting Course Status: Free TrialFree Trial P Packt Introduction to Accounting and Core Concepts Course Show 8 more Why people choose Coursera for their career Felipe M. Learner since 2018 "To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood." Jennifer J. Learner since 2020 "I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work." Larry W. Learner since 2021 "When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go." Chaitanya A. "Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits." Learner reviews 4.8 3,334 reviews 5 stars 85.19% 4 stars 12.53% 3 stars 1.19% 2 stars 0.20% 1 star 0.86% Showing 3 of 3334 S SM 5· Reviewed on Jun 21, 2020 prof marc badia explains each and every concept very crisply and also provides details understanding of each topics. I am really grateful to him for this course. Thank you very much Sir!! M MG 5· Reviewed on Jun 11, 2022 I loved every bit of this course. I understood accounting very well. The whole course was very well organised and delivered. This will help me excel in my career. Thanks Prof Marc Badia V VK 5· Reviewed on Nov 12, 2025 I would like to thank IESE Business School and all the instructors involved in creating this course. It was a comprehensive, yet concise, journey through all key business processes. View more reviews Unlock access to 10,000+ courses with a subscription Start trial Advance your career with an online degree Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online Explore degrees Join over 4,700 global companies that choose Coursera for Business Learn more Frequently asked questions When will I have access to the lectures and assignments? To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate. What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization? When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Is financial aid available? Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page. 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