As a rule, there is no general prior knowledge required for an accounting course. A certain affinity for numbers is of course helpful. Sometimes basic commercial training or employment is also required. PC skills are also often a prerequisite for attending the course.

Financial accounting courses are courses on financial accounting. These basic accounting courses often teach knowledge at the level of the KV degree. This then helps for later further training or for applications such as opening, managing and closing accounts or preparing a balance sheet and income statement.

Accounting courses are available for:

• Self-employed persons, so that the legal requirements for bookkeeping can be met
• Employees in finance or management who have an overview of upcoming costs and income - cost transparency simplifies processes and reduces costs
• Management to recognize cash flow problems at an early stage and generally be able to make decisions on investments etc. more quickly

A bookkeeping course for the self-employed teaches you how to do the bookkeeping for a sole proprietorship with as little effort as possible. Depending on turnover (sales revenue of at least CHF 500,000 in the previous financial year), there is a bookkeeping obligation for self-employed persons and sole proprietorships. In order to comply with this, you need basic knowledge.

An accounting course for beginners systematically introduces the subject and requires no prior knowledge. The course is suitable for private individuals who would like to learn more about bookkeeping and can imagine working in this field at a later date. Such a course can be used to acquire basic knowledge or everyday knowledge and to get a taste of the field.

In an accounting course, you learn depending on the scope:

• Accounting principles
• Legal basis
• Accounting
• Account management / Chart of accounts / Chart of accounts
• Journal / General ledger
• Simple bookkeeping / double-entry bookkeeping
• Cost accounting
• Purchasing and selling goods
• Inventory
• Value added tax
• Balance sheet and income statement
• Threshold analysis
• Calculations
• Financial accounting
• Depreciation and amortization
• Accounts receivable losses, bad debts
• Accounts in transit, provisions
• Analysis of the annual financial statements
• Annual financial statements
• Calculating interest
• Foreign currencies

With bookkeeping courses, you can get to know financial accounting from the ground up. This basic knowledge opens the door to higher vocational training in accounting, but the knowledge is also useful in many other areas. With a certificate or school diploma, you can prove the knowledge you have acquired.

An online accounting course is also possible. The advantages here are that you can usually take part regardless of time and place. It is also usually possible to start immediately. Learners can set their own pace. However, personal support is often offered to clarify any questions.