Accountants make a business's money story true and usable. You record transactions, check that the numbers are right, prepare financial statements and tax returns, and explain what it all means so owners and managers can decide well. The path is clear: learn the double-entry logic first, then practice on real-looking data in Excel and accounting software, then add US GAAP, tax and audit skills. A bachelor's degree in accounting (or 150 credit hours in most states) is the usual route to the CPA license, which is legally required only to sign audit opinions and to use the CPA title, not for many
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Stage 1 of 4 · about 10 weeks
Understand double-entry bookkeeping (debits and credits), the accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity), the chart of accounts, journal entries, ledgers and trial balances. Prepare a simple income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement for a small business. Get comfortable in Excel or Google Sheets (SUM, SUMIFS, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables).
The accounting equation and double-entry bookkeeping
Every number you will ever handle as an accountant sits on this foundation. If debits and credits feel natural, everything later (accruals, close, audit) becomes easier. If they feel like memorized rules, you will keep getting stuck.
Chart of accounts, journal, ledger and trial balance
This is the actual bookkeeping cycle. It turns raw transactions into organized records that you can trust, and it is exactly what you will do daily in your first job.
The three financial statements for a small business
Statements are the product of accounting. Owners, banks and tax preparers read them, not your ledger. Being able to build them and explain what they say is what makes you useful.
Spreadsheet fluency for accountants (Excel or Google Sheets)
Job postings for accountants almost always list Excel. You will use it to check, summarize and reconcile data every day. Fast, clean spreadsheets save hours and prevent mistakes.
Then 3 more stages (about 126 weeks in all) with lessons, drills, projects, 10 interview questions with strong answers and free resources.