Small business accounting classes can be one of the best ways for small business owners to learn accounting skills for their businesses quickly. There is a multitude of small business accounting classes that can help improve an owner’s knowledge of accounting.
Every small business owner should have some understanding of accounting to run their business. We will look at a few types of small business accounting courses, where to take them and how they can improve your knowledge of accounting.
What Types of Small Business Accounting Classes Are There?
The three main small business accounting classes that come to mind for beginners are always accounting essentials, bookkeeping and taxation of small businesses. It is best to start with accounting essentials.
This will set a baseline of knowledge, then go over all the basic concepts and principles that a small business owner should know by no way are they required to know as much as a bookkeeper or accountant but it is good to know how to read and interpret a set of financial statements.
What Type of Small Business Accounting Class Should You Start With?
You will want to start with the basics if you have no knowledge of accounting. This means getting some knowledge before jumping to bookkeeping or taxation.
Common beginner, small business accounting classes include beginner accounting, accounting 101 or accounting essentials they should all cover relatively the same things.
Be sure to look at comparing the syllabuses ahead of time, so you know what topics you will be covering this can also help you pick a good small business accounting class for beginners.
Some items that you may want to make sure the course covers include accounting basics, financial statements, debits and credits an intro to taxes.
This will give you a broad overview of how accounting can apply to your business. It will also give you a closer understanding if you have a bookkeeper or any internal accountants on staff.
Finally, it will help you speak to you and connect with accountants in case, you need an audit or a tax return. You’ll surely have a little better understanding after an accounting course.
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Where Can You Take Small Business Accounting Classes
Once you have an idea of which small business accounting class is right for you, which you should now, then it is all about finding somewhere to take the class.
Some small business owners and accountants prefer to take their classes online. This can be a great way to learn because you don’t even have to go out of your house.
Then there are individuals who like the live class format. If this sounds like you, then some of the options where you can take small business accounting courses include community colleges, chamber of commerce and regular colleges.
Community colleges are a great way to take one or two small business accounting courses to get your feet wet but as we mentioned taking an online accounting course is sometimes even easier.
There is one more factor to consider when taking small business accounting courses, and it may even influence where you take your course. That is the cost.
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How Much Will a Small Business Accounting Class Cost?
The average cost of a credit hour at a community college runs around $300 per credit, a full small business accounting course may run over $1000 there. That does not include the cost of your time to get there and the cost of gas as well.
When you take a class online, if it is live, then you won’t be paying gas to get there or spending time commuting. An even cheaper option and just as well as a pre-recorded class, or course. The cost of these courses averages around $300.
Well, this still may seem steep for some small business owners, but accounting is a skill that you will pay for once and apply over the life of your business. Having the knowledge of accounting from one of these courses can pay for itself over the life of your business.
It is also worth noting that many of these courses are taught by accountants or CPAs who have years of experience in the subject matter. A quick cost-benefit analysis will most likely tell you it is worth it.
Final Thoughts on Small Business Accounting Classes
There are two decisions to be made when selecting a small business accounting course. Figure out what you want to study, and where you want to study, take a course, improve your knowledge and propel your business forward, all with a small business accounting course.
