Business/Professional Development
Accounting & Finance
Did you know that employment for accountants and bookkeepers is growing faster than average? Are you looking for a career in bookkeeping or do you want to learn basic accounting and bookkeeping practices for your own business?
Our courses will teach you accounting principles, how to read financial statements, debits and credits, accounts payable, QuickBooks and so much more.
Whether you're looking for new career training, advancement within your current job, or simply want to acquire new skills, our online bookkeeping and accounting courses can help. You can start with these noncredit programs below and/or take one of our credit programs in Accounting Computer Skills (Credential) or Bookkeeping (Certificate).
Course Offerings
Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is an important aspect of running a business; it is about knowing your finances, where the money comes from and how it is spent. A sustainable business relies on a strong foundation of financial stability. Financial literacy also helps entrepreneurs to understand the difference between one’s personal finances versus business finances; this helps in the better management of money for one’s personal needs and have sufficient amount for running the business. Topics include credit and credit scores, budgeting, cash flow management, understanding financial statements and building relationships with lenders. This SBDC course is offered FREE for any matriculated SUNY Ulster student and Veterans.
DCB2319 CRN 90521 T 10/17 6-8pm KSU $35
Introduction to HR & Payroll: What every Business Should Know
Many start-ups and small businesses are rightly focused on launching and sustaining their businesses during the first phase of their firm's lifecycle. What we often don't consider until it is right upon us is establishing a Human Resources office that is compliant with government regulations and reflects current best practices. We also don't think very much about doing payroll until we have more than one employee. Even if we have a payroll company process our payroll it is crucial we understand how payroll is processed, what is entailed in setting up employees in a payroll system, what is necessary to ensure the company is compliant with regulations concerning minimum wage, overtime pay, and mandatory tax deductions. In this class we will review the basics of hiring employees, setting up their employee folders, putting them on payroll, and compiling an employee handbook that covers the core components of a good handbook. We will also discuss New York state regulations affecting HR functions of companies in our state. We will include a brief section on the special requirements for DOT-regulated drivers. Time will be allotted for a Q & A session, and relevant handouts will be given.
Instructor: Our instructor, SBDC Business Advisor Ben Caldwell, was earlier in his career responsible for the payroll of two companies, including a midcap firm with 150 employees. He also was heavily involved in the Human Resources department of both firms, including the drafting and distribution of employee handbooks, the recruiting, screening, hiring, promotion, and termination of employees, the development of employee benefit packages, and the processing of payroll that was compliant with local, state, and federal regulations. He was also a company representative at several unemployment compensation hearings as well as a manager of workers' compensation claims. Ben has over twenty years of experience in managing HR departments including the payroll function.
DCB 2419 CRN 90522 R 10/5 6-8pm KSU $35
Accounting Fundamentals
Accounting Fundamentals covers all the bases, from writing checks to preparing an income statement and closing out accounts at the end of each fiscal period. Whether you're a sole proprietor looking to manage your business finances or you simply want to gain an understanding of accounting basics for career advancement or for personal use, this course will give you a solid foundation in financial matters.
Registration link. Online $119
QuickBooks® Online Basics
QuickBooks® Online Basics is an introductory-level course designed to build a foundation of essential skills in QuickBooks® Online. In this course, learners will develop a greater understanding of the basic bookkeeping and accounting functions that the software enables. The course content focuses on mastering the fundamental tasks performed in QuickBooks®, including setting up a company file and chart of accounts, entering customer and vendor information, recording sales, creating invoices, managing payables and receivables, creating and customizing reports, and using the Audit Log. 5 hours.
Registration link. Online $99
QuickBooks 2019 Series (Introduction & Intermediate)
Understanding QuickBooks is one of the top skills a small business owner needs to successfully run their business. If you are a busy professional that wants to oversee your bookkeeping and accounting, the QuickBooks 2019 Series will teach you how to use this popular accounting software. 48 hours
Registration link. Online $199
Accounting with QuickBooks Online Suite
This suite of courses includes Accounting Fundamentals, Accounting Fundamentals II and QuickBooks Online. 96 hours.
Registration link. Online $395
Microsoft Excel 2019 Certification Training (70hrs)
If your organization uses lists of any kind, you need to know how to use Microsoft
Excel. Earning Microsoft Office Specialist and Expert certifications sets your professional
skill set apart from other Excel users. This course will prepare you for the Microsoft
Office Specialist (MOS) and Expert certification exams for Excel. You will first learn
to use Excel 2019 to create, modify, and format Excel worksheets, perform calculations,
and print Excel workbooks. The course then moves on to teach you how to use advanced
formulas, work with lists, work with illustrations and charts, and use advanced formatting
techniques. You will also learn Excel's advanced features, such as pivot tables, audit
worksheets, data tools, macros, and collaboration methods.
Upon completion of this course, you will be prepared for the Microsoft Office Specialist
(MOS) Expert certification exam for Excel 2019.
Registration link. Online $595
Budgeting in a Nonprofit Organization
This course, you will gain an understanding of the uses and functions of budgets and the relationship between strategic budgeting and tactical budgeting for a nonprofit. 3 hours.
Registration link. Online Self-paced $79
How to Read a Nonprofit Financial Statement
This course will develop your ability to appropriately interpret the major financial accounting statements that are used by nonprofit organizations. 3 hours.
Registration link. Online Self-paced $79
The following two courses are offered by Barbara Ginty, owner of Independent Financial Services, a family business for over 20 years specializing in comprehensive financial planning. She is a CFP® professional and holds both security and insurance licenses including the following: series 7, 63, 65 and health, life, and disability insurance.
Future Rich
Seven days of financial strategies, personal stories, professional tips all tied up in feel-good, empowering videos.
To register for this course visit the Planancial site. Free
Student Loans
To register for this course visit the Planancial site. Free
→ CERTIFICATIONS
Certificate in Financial Essentials
This online certificate program introduces non-financial managers to the essentials of finance. The courses will help you become conversant in critical financial terminology, and you will learn how to calculate key financial management indicators. You will learn how to assess your organization's financial health by reviewing balance sheets, income statements, and statements of cash flow, and you will discover how finance and accounting tools can be used to support informed decision making within organizations.
Registration link. Online $399
Certified Financial Health Counselor (Exam Included)
Staying financially healthy is important regardless of the economic climate. To provide financial health counseling, one must have a strong knowledge of core financial and credit concepts. This course will prepare you for a career in financial counseling as an independent counselor or a consultant to other businesses supporting individuals.
You will learn skills that can be applied to counseling disciplines such as housing counselor, student loan counselor, or financial coach. Upon successful completion of this course, you will earn a Certified Financial Health Counselor designation from the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors.
Registration link. Online $1995
