How to study accounting?

Hi Ena,

Thanks for the question! Accounting can definitely be a tough course. I took accounting courses as both an undergraduate and graduate student. They were some of the most difficult courses I have ever taken. It sounds as if you're a lot like me in that you aren't a "numbers" person and that's okay! While neither of us are likely to ever have a job where we crunch numbers all day, it is still very important to understand how the numbers work in the scheme of things.

There are many ways you can take accounting courses you can review for free. Below are some links to help you get started:

http://examinedexistence.com/10-places-to-learn-accounting-for-free/

https://www.edx.org/school/acca (Note that these courses have fixed start/end dates, but can be taken for free. You do not necessarily have to take the full course. You can simply "audit" the course if you'd like which means you simply review the material that is applicable to you).

I would also highly recommend the book "The Accounting Game: Basic Accounting Fresh from the Lemonade Stand" by Darrell Mullis. It is a very basic, but very good, introduction to understanding the basic fundamentals of accounting.

I hope this helps and please continue to post questions.

Hi Ena,

Great question! I know accounting classes can be tough to get through, but I hope I can provide some helpful advice.

First, do not get discouraged. It sounds as though you plan to register for the classes during another semester. Keep a positive attitude!

Second, I agree with Gabriel's advice. It is important not only to memorize accounting principles, formulas and problems, but also to truly understand why the answer is the correct answer. I have found it can be helpful to watch youtube videos on the topic and talk through homework problems with classmates.

Third, while not all schools are able to offer tutoring to students for free, some do! See if your school offers tutors or student aides that can help you work through the tough topics. Also, many professors hold office hours. I know this can be a little intimidating, but can help you understand the important concepts from the class on which to focus.

Keep up the hard work!

Cara

I majored in Accounting in college and went on to work as an accountant for 30 years. I know that Accounting is a challenging subject for many people. If your goal is to just get through the basic accounting course required for you to get a business degree I have a couple of suggestions for you. First, there are no shortcuts. You have to do all your homework if you want to pass the course. The general rule of thumb is for every hour of class you should be doing 2 hours of homework. So if your class is 4 hours a week you should be studying 8 hours on your own. Each chapter in the introductory accounting course builds on the next, so it is really important that you completely understand Chapter 1 before you move on to Chapter 2. If you have a problem ask your professor for help. Many schools have tutoring available as well. I know this sound like a lot of work but sometimes you just have to roll up your sleeves and do it. I hope you find a way to pass!