Are you looking for free bookkeeping resources or accounting resources to help you understand what to do for your business? Or, maybe you want information from bookkeeping books to learn how to better manage and support your bookkeeper? You might even be a bookkeeper looking for ways to hone your skills!
Whatever the case, we created this post for you to learn bookkeeping, do home bookkeeping, and more! You’ll find 38 of the following:
- Guides and Tutorials
- Tools and Software
- Free Bookkeeping Courses Online
- YouTube Channels
- Templates and Spreadsheets
Let’s dive in!
(And don’t forget to check out our Bookkeeping Basic Worksheet!)
Tools and Software
1. QuickBooks
Possibly the most popular of all bookkeeping resources. This accounting software offers you more than just the basic features. You can use it online or install it on your computer. Enjoy advanced bookkeeping ease whether you are a freelancer, small business owner, or an accountant. QuickBooks
2. Xero
Cloud-based accounting resources offering bank reconciliation and more on top of the usual invoicing, expense tracking, etc. Xero
3. Wave
This accounting software is free but versatile. Wave designed this tool for small businesses (including freelancers!) and entrepreneurs. It has the basic features, including invoicing, receipts, and accounting reports. Wave
4. FreshBooks
Another cloud-based accounting tool that offers the basics like invoicing and expense tracking, but also has time tracking and financial reporting capabilities. FreshBooks
5. Zoho Books
One of the simpler online free bookkeeping resources that includes basic features like invoicing, expense tracking, and inventory management. You can get more complex features with their paid version. Zoho Books
6. Sage 50cloud
Also has both a desktop and cloud version offering features for cash flow tracking, invoicing, and financial reporting. Sage 50cloud
7. Kashoo
A simple accounting tool best for small businesses. It has bank reconciliation, invoicing, and expense tracking features, among others. Kashoo
Guides and Tutorials
8. Basic Bookkeeping Principles
A guide by AccountingCoach that explains the basic concepts and principles of bookkeeping. AccountingCoach – Basic Bookkeeping Principles
9. Beginning Bookkeeping Tutorial
An introductory guide by Bean Counter that covers the essentials of bookkeeping for new business owners. Bean Counter – Learn Bookkeeping
10. Bookkeeping Tips
A collection of tips to help you do your bookkeeping right. Beginner-Bookkeeping – 12 Small Business Bookkeeping Tips
Free Bookkeeping Courses Online
11. Coursera – Introduction to Financial Accounting
A course offered by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. You get a comprehensive introduction to financial accounting concepts. Coursera – Introduction to Financial Accounting
12. Udemy – Bookkeeping Basics: Understand the Fundamentals
A beginner bookkeeping course that covers the most important bookkeeping practices and concepts. Udemy – Bookkeeping Basics
13. edX – Introduction to Financial Accounting
A course offered by the University of British Columbia. It teaches the main accounting concepts and principles. edX – Introduction to Financial Accounting
14. Skillshare – Bookkeeping for Beginners
A course that goes over the basics of bookkeeping like keeping track of financial transactions and getting accounts set up. Skillshare – Bookkeeping Classes
Websites and Blogs
15. AccountingCoach
A site that offers a wide variety of free accounting resources aimed at employees, bookkeepers, accountants, small business owners, and students. They have three basic categories: financial, managerial, and bookkeeping resources.
16. Bench Blog
A blog that is home to a bunch of posts that are mainly about accounting, bookkeeping, and tax tips. Their aim is to help you to better understand the financial aspects of your small business. They also cover banking, operations, and starting a business. Check out Bench news to stay updated and their other resources as well.
17. Sage Advice Blog
A blog for insights, tips, and advice on cash flow, financial management, HR, payroll, bookkeeping, accounting, and business growth.
18. EcomBalance Blog
A blog offering weekly bookkeeping tips as well as accounting advice geared towards eCommerce and digital business owners. The posts are neatly categorized into the topics of bookkeeping, accounting, and eCommerce. They also offer partner spotlights for businesses that want to partner with them and EcomBalance news items so partners and clients can stay updated on the latest goings-on at the company.
19. AccountsBalance Blog
A blog that provides bookkeeping & accounting guides and tips and advice for online business owners. The posts are neatly categorized into the topics of bookkeeping and accounting. They also offer partner spotlights for businesses that want to partner with them and AccountsBalance news items so partners and clients can stay updated on the latest goings-on at the company.
20. Wave Blog
A blog focused on providing free bookkeeping resources as well as free accounting guides. You can get information on taxes, payments, entrepreneurship, and small business. They also have a news section where you can learn more about them.
21. Accounting Web
This online community and resource hub gives you the latest accounting news plus business tips and industry insights. You also get access to discussions as well as tech information and other accounting and free bookkeeping resources.
22. Sage Advice Blog
A blog to get insights, tips, and advice on HR, payroll, cash flow, bookkeeping, accounting, and business growth.
23. QuickBooks Resource Center
This blog offers essential resources for starting, running, and growing a business. Whatever size your business is, you can apply their tips with confidence. Browse articles, guides, and free bookkeeping resources as well as information on financial management.
24. Accounting Today
A news and information resource for accountants and accounting professionals. You’ll find various accounting resources plus articles on tax, audit, practice management, and tech. Visit their Firm Growth Center as well and browse for events as well as reports and rankings. They even have Accounting Today Podcasts, webinars and whitepapers, and a magazine!
25. ProfitBooks Blog
A blog covering a variety of topics around taxation, and business management, plus bookkeeping and accounting resources.
26. Enkel Back Office Blog
A site giving you insights into bookkeeping books and business finances. They focus on the tech and startup sectors.
YouTube Channels
27. Simon Sez IT YouTube Channel
A channel offering a variety of information, including free bookkeeping resources. Discover tutorials on various software tools like QuickBooks accounting software.
28. FitSmallBusiness
This channel also covers various business topics. Their aim is to give people the best answers to their questions. Check out their guides, articles, and tutorials on bookkeeping and accounting topics.
29. AIPB (American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers)
The official AIPB channel where you can access discussions and free video tutorials around bookkeeping.
30. Bean Counter
A channel for free accounting and bookkeeping tutorials and videos. Access lectures on accounting terms and definitions, balance sheets, income statements, accounting equation, accounting principles and rules, debits and credits, trial balance, inventory, payroll, double entry bookkeeping, special journals, adjusting entries, cash controls, chart of accounts, and the like.
31. Learn Accounting for Free
A channel that provides free bookkeeping resources. Learn bookkeeping and beginner level comprehensive tutorials on accounting.
32. Bookkeeping Master
A channel offering tips and tutorials on bookkeeping, accounting software, and related topics.
33. Easy Accounting
On the Easy Accounting YouTube channel, CPA Jason covers topics around accounting software, bookkeeping, and financial management for small businesses.
34. Accounting Stuff
A channel offering insights into accounting and tutorials on bookkeeping concepts.
Templates and Spreadsheets
35. Microsoft Excel Templates
Planners and tracker templates can help you get a better start on new projects. These templates will also add flair to already excellent functionality. Excel Design Templates from Microsoft
These Excel templates are designed specifically for financial management. Financial Management Templates from Microsoft
36. Google Sheets Templates
If you prefer to use Google Sheets, you can find a ton of useful templates. They can help you learn bookkeeping or do home bookkeeping. Google Workspace Template Gallery for Sheets
Forums and Communities
37. Reddit Bookkeeping
Browse all kinds of questions and answers around bookkeeping, respond to threads, and start your own. Sometimes there are just some things you need to talk to fellow number crunchers about. Bookkeeping Topics on Reddit
38. Intuit Community
If you use QuickBooks, you can take advantage of their special online community. You can start conversations with fellow QuickBooks users, get answers to your toll-related questions, search for expert tips, and learn bookkeeping with the software on a whole other level. QuickBooks US Community or QuickBooks Global Community
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rely solely on bookkeeping resources for professional accounting work?
Professional accountants need more than your average free online tutorial or course to build a career. Most countries require a certain level of professional education and certification to work as an accountant.
Are bookkeeping resources suitable for beginners?
Most free bookkeeping resources are indeed suitable for beginners. You can get the basic training you need from accounting resources, too. These courses give you a good background to start doing bookkeeping work. Note that you usually do not need any official training to do bookkeeping work.
How do I choose the right bookkeeping resources for me?
Most free bookkeeping resources are very basic. When you look through what’s available online, pay close attention to the titles. That will give you an idea of the level of instruction these courses or tutorials offer. You can also use website search features to find specific topics if you are done with all the basic training.
What Is EcomBalance?
EcomBalance is a monthly bookkeeping service specialized for eCommerce companies selling on Amazon, Shopify, Ebay, Etsy, WooCommerce, & other eCommerce channels.
We take monthly bookkeeping off your plate and deliver you your financial statements by the 15th or 20th of each month.
You’ll have your Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement ready for analysis each month so you and your business partners can make better business decisions.
Interested in learning more? Schedule a call with our CEO, Nathan Hirsch.
And here’s some free resources:
Monthly Finance Meeting Agenda
9 Steps to Master Your Ecommerce Bookkeeping Checklist
The Ultimate Guide on Finding an Ecommerce Virtual Bookkeeping Service
What Is a Profit and Loss Statement?
How to Read & Interpret a Cash Flow Statement
How to Read a Balance Sheet & Truly Understand It
Conclusion
We hope that this list helped you to locate the free bookkeeping resources you were looking for!
That said, keeping up with all the different bookkeeping duties can be overwhelming! If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out!
