University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Fundamentals of Accounting Specialization
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Fundamentals of Accounting Specialization

Accounting Basics for Managers and Entrepreneurs. Apply principles that underlie financial statements and facilitate business decisions and goals.

Gary Hecht, Ph.D.
Kevin E. Jackson

Instructors: Gary Hecht, Ph.D.

34,325 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.6

(1,113 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
2 months to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.6

(1,113 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
2 months to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Interpret and analyze financial statements to assess the financial position of the organization.

  • Identify the nature, purpose, and importance of different types of decision-useful accounting information.

  • Use analytical tools and techniques to analyze accounting information that informs decisions made by managers, employees, and external parties.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English
Recently updated!

February 2025

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

 logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Specialization - 4 course series

What you'll learn

  • Describe the purpose of a balance sheet and its three components.

  • Recognize and understand the meaning of several items typically presented on a balance sheet.

  • Explain the broader purpose of financial statements and the role of accounting in producing the financial statements.

  • Read and, to some extent, interpret real-world balance sheets.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Balance Sheet
Category: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Category: Asset Management
Category: Financial Accounting
Category: Financial Reporting
Category: Financial Statement Analysis
Category: Accounting
Category: Financial Statements

What you'll learn

  • Describe the purpose of an income statement and define its basic components.

  • Recognize and understand the meaning of several items typically presented on an income statement.

  • Explain the broader purpose of financial statements and the role of accounting in producing financial statements.

  • Read and, to some extent, interpret real-world income statements.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Financial Analysis
Category: Balance Sheet
Category: Cash Flows
Category: Financial Reporting
Category: Accounting
Category: Financial Statement Analysis
Category: Income Statement
Category: Performance Analysis
Category: Financial Statements

What you'll learn

  • Identify the nature, purpose, and importance of different types of decision-useful accounting information.

  • Create, organize, and communicate cost information to best suit common operational decisions.

  • Use accounting information to manage products, control costs, and leverage other drivers of operational success.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Financial Analysis
Category: Operations Management
Category: Business Metrics
Category: Profit And Loss (P&L) Management
Category: Operational Efficiency
Category: Accounting
Category: Analysis
Category: Sales
Category: Cost Control
Category: Operational Analysis
Category: Management Accounting
Category: Product Management
Category: Strategic Decision-Making
Category: Decision Making
Category: Financial Accounting
Category: Cost Management
Category: Cost Accounting

What you'll learn

  • Create and communicate accounting information that facilitates strategic decisions.

  • Use accounting information to develop, implement, and improve organizational strategy.

  • Implement controls that align managers’ and employees’ decisions with organizational goals.

  • Measure and evaluate manager and employee performance to control and motivate operational and strategic decision-making.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Business Strategy
Category: Variance Analysis
Category: Accounting
Category: Price Negotiation
Category: Organizational Strategy
Category: Budgeting
Category: Performance Measurement
Category: Resource Allocation
Category: Management Accounting
Category: Financial Controls
Category: Decision Making
Category: Strategic Decision-Making
Category: Financial Accounting
Category: Cost Accounting
Category: Capacity Management
Category: Budget Management

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Gary Hecht, Ph.D.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
9 Courses119,674 learners

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

New to Business Essentials? Start here.

Coursera Plus

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions