Financial Accounting 101 Syllabus

Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.

Overview: This 10-week beginner-level course provides a structured introduction to financial accounting, designed for learners with no prior background. You'll spend approximately 4-6 hours per week engaging with video lectures, readings, quizzes, and practical exercises. The course covers core accounting principles, the accounting cycle, financial statement preparation, and basic financial analysis. By the end, you will be able to interpret and create key financial documents and apply them to real-world business decisions.

Module 1: Introduction to Financial Accounting

Estimated time: 8 hours

What is financial accounting?
Users of financial information
Overview of key financial statements
Role of accounting in business decision-making

Module 2: The Accounting Cycle

Estimated time: 12 hours

Journal entries and T-accounts
General ledger and trial balance
Adjusting entries
Closing process

Module 3: Financial Statements in Depth

Estimated time: 12 hours

Balance sheet structure and components
Income statement preparation
Cash flow statement and its importance

Module 4: Analyzing Financial Performance

Estimated time: 8 hours

Ratio analysis and interpretation
Profitability and liquidity metrics
Using financial data for business decisions

Module 5: Accrual Accounting Principles

Estimated time: 10 hours

Accrual vs. cash accounting
Revenue recognition principles
Expense matching principle

Module 6: Final Project