The best QuickBooks training courses offer flexible training sessions for students (the option of live or self-paced classes), are expert-led, and come with supplemental resources — such as reference manuals, study guides, and instructional videos. You’ll find some free courses, but you usually have to pay a fee to access premium lessons and maximize your learning experience.
There are plenty of QuickBooks training courses, but I narrowed the list down to the top eight:
- QuickBooks Training: Best overall training for QuickBooks Online and Desktop programs
- QuickBooks ProAdvisor Training: Best for independent bookkeepers
- Certiport: Best for students wanting to be QuickBooks certified
- Fit Small Business QuickBooks Tutorials: Best free online QuickBooks training courses
- QuickBooks Support: Best for learning very specific QuickBooks tasks
- Advanced Webinars by Hector Garcia, CPA: Best for live webinars
- Certstaffix Training: Best for on-site group training
- UCLA Extension: Best instructor-led college classes
Quick comparison of QuickBooks training courses
Cost | Instructor/creator | QuickBooks version covered | Delivery method(s) | |
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 | QuickBooks Experts |
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| Free | QuickBooks Experts |
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 | $100 | Industry experts contracted by Certiport |
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 | Free | Mark Calatrava, ProAdvisor & Tim Yoder, Ph.D., CPA, ProAdvisor |
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| Free | QuickBooks staff and users |
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 | From $200 per year | Hector Garcia, CPA |
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 | From $300 | Certstaffix instructors |
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 | $815 | Crystalynn Shelton, CPA |
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QuickBooks Training: Best overall QuickBooks training courses
Pros
- Cost-effective course bundles are available for both QuickBooks Online and Desktop.
- Wide range of courses for all skill levels and industries, from accountants and contractors to nonprofits and enterprises.
- Money-back guarantee; if class doesn’t meet expectations, can request a refund.
- Live and self-paced training programs.
Cons
- Price per course is higher than most QuickBooks training options.
- QuickBooks Desktop for Mac isn’t supported.
Pricing
- Live Classes: $799.95 for the first attendee; $250 off on each additional attendee; two-day duration
- VIP Membership (self-paced): $999.95 (one-time fee), plus $39.95 monthly to maintain live services (optional); 200+ hours duration
Students can validate their QuickBooks knowledge by becoming an Intuit QBCU QuickBooks Certified User . The QuickBooks Certification examination is offered at universities and technical schools, and while it costs $125 to take the test, it’s free with enrollment.
QuickBooks Training provides online, self-paced courses for both the Online and Desktop versions. With on-demand training, you can start and stop whenever it fits your schedule, rewatch video tutorials as much as needed, and even attend live classes if you prefer.
Thanks to its variety of courses and flexible formats, I consider QuickBooks Training the best choice for learning QuickBooks Online and Desktop. If you’re still deciding on a version, take some time to compare QuickBooks Online vs Desktop to choose what works best for you.
Our related resources:
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Training: Best for independent bookkeepers
Pros
- ProAdvisor certification allows you to distinguish yourself as a true expert in QuickBooks.
- Access to exclusive discounts, tools, and marketing materials.
- Ongoing training keeps you current with the latest updates and features in QuickBooks.
Cons
- Time investment to complete, especially for self-paced online courses.
- ProAdvisor certification isn’t the same as a certified bookkeeper.
Pricing
There is no cost to enroll in QuickBooks ProAdvisor training — you just need to sign up for QuickBooks Online Accountant, which is also free. This allows you to prepare for the QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor certification exam.
I recommend QuickBooks ProAdvisor training as the best option for independent bookkeepers. It helps you become a certified QuickBooks expert while boosting your credibility. The program offers flexibility with online courses, webinars, and in-person training to suit various learning styles.
Through the QuickBooks Online Accountant platform, you can access self-paced courses and the software itself. The certification exam is free, and you can maintain your certification with a brief annual recertification exam. Once certified, you’ll be listed in the ProAdvisor directory and gain access to marketing tools to grow your business.
Certiport: Best for students wanting to be QuickBooks certified
Pros
- Provides comprehensive training for QuickBooks Online tailored to single users.
- Offers interactive, video-based lessons that simplify learning.
- Prepares users effectively for QuickBooks certification exams.
Cons
- Limited to single-user training, which may not suit team learning.
- Does not cover advanced QuickBooks features or specialized tasks.
- Only prepares candidates for the QuickBooks Certified examinations.
Pricing
The course costs $100 for single-user access good for one year.
I like Certiport’s course for the QuickBooks Certified Exam because it’s designed for students wanting to master their QuickBooks skills as part of their business, accounting, or finance studies. Once the course is purchased, learners receive an email with a product code and detailed instructions to access the course materials online.
The course provides focused, practical training aligned with the certification, making it easier to build confidence and succeed. Its flexible format and interactive lessons also make learning more engaging and effective.
Fit Small Business: Best free online QuickBooks training courses
Pros
- Watch tutorials at your own pace and focus on the topics that interest you.
- Completely free.
- Plenty of bite-sized lessons.
Cons
- No one-on-one training offered.
- No option for live interaction.
- A QuickBooks subscription may be needed to follow the training videos while using the software simultaneously.
Pricing
These QuickBooks training courses are all free of charge with no email required.
Fit Small Business provides beginner lessons and supplemental training for those looking to deepen their QuickBooks knowledge, offering 59 tutorials ranging from 2 to 15 minutes.
The tutorials are broken into bite-sized segments, making them easier to digest. Each includes a step-by-step guide and a video demonstration to clarify the concepts. There are also several courses specifically focused on QuickBooks Online.
QuickBooks Support: Best for learning specific tasks
Pros
- All information is free.
- Best for learning specific QuickBooks tasks.
- Video tutorials include the most recent features in the software since Intuit updates them regularly.
Cons
- No live support.
- Some articles are authored by QuickBooks employees and users as opposed to certified QuickBooks experts, so there is no guarantee that information is accurate.
- QuickBooks certification courses are unavailable.
Pricing
There’s no charge to access the webinars, video tutorials, and articles through QuickBooks Support.
If you have a specific question about using QuickBooks, QuickBooks Support is a free and comprehensive resource. It provides help articles, community discussions with other users, video tutorials, and even regular free live webinars.
I find the videos comprehensive — but they only discuss the basics. If you need specific troubleshooting concerns, you might not find direct solutions. On top of that, live support is unavailable, which can make it harder to get immediate answers to specific questions.
Advanced Webinars by Hector Garcia, CPA: Best for live webinars
Pros
- QuickBooks Online and Desktop courses available.
- Each industry-specific course delves into each topic with a lot of detail.
- YouTube videos are useful for troubleshooting common QuickBooks issues.
Cons
- Paid courses are unideal for those looking for a basic overview of QuickBooks.
- Access to some courses is available only for a limited time.
- Website can be difficult to navigate.
Pricing
Prices vary depending on the type and duration of the course and the level of the QuickBooks topic covered. For instance, a two-day live basic to intermediate course — like Learn QuickBooks Desktop 2013 to 2022 — costs $200 per year.
Hector Garcia, a CPA and Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, offers a series of webinars designed to introduce QuickBooks and help users feel confident using the software. I like that he has hundreds of free videos on YouTube about QuickBooks Desktop and Online, which focuses on troubleshooting common issues.
If you want to master QuickBooks, you can sign up for a paid course through Advanced Webinars. I appreciate that Hector Garcia designed his courses for different industries like manufacturers, contractors, project-based businesses, wholesalers, and accountants working across various industries.
Certstaffix Training: Best for on-site group training
Pros
- Each course offered provides the training needed to understand and use QuickBooks.
- On-site training courses scheduled based on dates that you provide and completed in a session of your choosing.
- Software for the class is provided in an online lab environment.
Cons
- QuickBooks for Mac is not supported.
- Course options are limited depending on the method of delivery.
Pricing
- QuickBooks Online and Desktop eLearning Bundle: $300; provides 18 hours and 15 minutes of training across nine courses, covering QuickBooks Online and Desktop; includes beginner, intermediate, advanced, and master-level content, all tailored to the 2024 versions
- QuickBooks Online Edition Basic: $445; is a one-day introductory course designed to help users use QuickBooks Online correctly from the start; covers essential tasks such as entering sales income specific to your business workflow, tracking expenses, and running reports to analyze your company’s growth effectively
Certstaffix provides training for multiple versions of QuickBooks, all taught by expert trainers. It offers QBCU Desktop training classes and flexible options, including hands-on and private online or on-site group training. What stood out to me about Certstaffix is its flexible offerings of self-paced courses and instructor-led training. Businesses transitioning to QuickBooks can get instructor-led group classes to train their accounting staff on QuickBooks’ different features.
UCLA Extension: Best instructor-led courses for college classes
Pros
- Course completion earns 4.0 units.
- Online instruction lasts for 11+ weeks with no set meeting times.
- Free one-year access to QuickBooks Online to complete homework.
Cons
- Fee for additional materials, including a course book.
- More expensive than other QuickBooks basics courses.
- No QuickBooks Desktop courses currently offered.
Pricing
Currently, there is only one QuickBooks training course available, which is priced at $815. It teaches participants how to use QuickBooks Online, from how to set up a business to managing basic transactions and key financial statements.
I recommend UCLA Extension as the best option for instructor-led QuickBooks Online training for college-level courses. It is convenient and focuses on teaching the basics of QuickBooks Online, covering many objectives found on the QBCU exam. Plus, I appreciate that students get access to QuickBooks Online for a full year to complete their assignments.
How I evaluated the best QuickBooks training courses
I reviewed these training courses based on several factors, including cost, accessibility, and course curriculum.
- Price: Some courses are free, while others can cost over $700, depending on the content and depth.
- Available training methods: Courses are available as self-paced options or live, instructor-led sessions, and some even offer in-person training.
- Types of courses offered: Programs range from topic-specific video tutorials to courses focused on specific versions (QuickBooks Desktop or QuickBooks Online), catering to beginners, accountants, and advanced users.
- Course instructors: The courses are typically taught by certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors or CPAs, ensuring expertise and reliability.
- Additional support available: Resources like reference manuals, study guides, course videos, and direct access to instructors for questions are often included.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Intuit QuickBooks Training offers both live classes and self-paced training sessions (VIP Membership). Live Classes are $799.95 for the first attendee, with $250 off for each additional attendee. Self-paced classes are $999.95 (one-time fee), plus an optional fee of $39.95 per month to maintain live services.
There are several options for learning QuickBooks Online, which include live classes and self-paced training. For more resources, check out our guide on how to learn QuickBooks where you’ll see different options in learning and mastering the platform.
The choice depends on your needs. QuickBooks Online is cloud-based and suitable for remote access, while QuickBooks Desktop is installed on a local computer. Consider your business requirements and preferences to determine the best fit. See our comparison of QuickBooks Online vs Desktop for more information.
No, prior accounting experience isn’t necessary. QuickBooks training courses are designed for individuals with varying levels of expertise, from beginners to experienced professionals.
Yes, companies such as us, Fit Small Business, offer free QuickBooks Online tutorials.
Bottom line
QuickBooks training courses come in various forms, including on-demand videos, online instructor-led or self-paced lessons, live virtual and in-person classrooms, and video tutorials. Most classes cover QuickBooks basics and generally are taught by certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors and/or CPAs who provide bookkeeping services to small business clients.
QuickBooks classes are ideal for small business owners, bookkeepers, and anyone who is seeking to become a QBCU. Classes may also include structured lessons, access to an instructor, practice exercises or exams, a quiz or final exam, and a certificate of completion.
