Accounting & Bookkeeping Course for Beginners

Learn the fundamentals of bookkeeping and BAS preparation with our accounting and bookkeeping short courses in Sydney!

If you've ever looked at a set of accounts and wondered where to begin, this practical beginners course is designed to help you build confidence with the core bookkeeping skills used by small businesses every day.

Through a hands-on business case study, you'll work through the complete bookkeeping process — from recording transactions and reconciling accounts through to preparing financial reports and completing a Business Activity Statement (BAS). Along the way, you'll gain a clearer understanding of common accounting terminology and how business finances fit together.

Designed for practical learning rather than theory alone, this course provides an accessible introduction to bookkeeping in a supportive environment. You'll explore how assets, liabilities, income, expenses, and equity are recorded and reported, while developing the skills needed to maintain accurate financial records and understand basic business reporting requirements.

Whether you're a small business owner wanting to better understand your finances, an office administrator looking to expand your responsibilities, or someone considering a future role in bookkeeping or accounts administration, this course provides a solid foundation in everyday bookkeeping practices.

Please note that completion of this course does not provide accreditation to become a BAS Agent.

You may also wish to continue your learning with our MYOB AccountRight Course for Beginners, which builds on many of the concepts introduced in this class.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Accounting & Bookkeeping for Beginners course, participants will have developed practical skills and knowledge in areas such as:

• Understanding common bookkeeping terminology and concepts
• Differentiating between assets, liabilities, income, expenses, and equity
• Completing a business income and expenses cashbook
• Reconciling bank accounts
• Managing accounts payable and accounts receivable
• Understanding fixed assets and calculating depreciation
• Processing journals and posting ledgers
• Generating key financial reports
• Completing a BAS worksheet and preparing a BAS
• Developing bookkeeping skills relevant to small business, administrative, and accounts support roles

Course content

What will be covered in this Accounting & Bookkeeping for Beginners course?

During the course, participants will be guided through key concepts, techniques and approaches that typically include:

• Bookkeeping principles and source documents
• Understanding GST and BAS requirements
• Processing and reconciling accounts payable and receivable
• Credit control and debt collection concepts
• Introduction to fixed assets and depreciation
• Petty cash reconciliation
• Understanding and interpreting financial reports
• Recording business transactions and summarising business data
• Examining payments and deposits
• Completing and reconciling a cashbook
• Preparing a fixed assets register
• Processing general journal entries
• Reconciling the general ledger
• Preparing a trial balance
• Completing a trading account statement
• Preparing a profit and loss statement
• Preparing a balance sheet
• Completing and reconciling a BAS worksheet
• Finalising a Business Activity Statement (BAS)
• Working through a practical business case study
• Group discussion and problem-solving activities

Content may vary slightly depending on class pace, participant interests, and instructor approach.

Intended audience

Who is this Accounting & Bookkeeping for Beginners Course for?

This course is suitable for small business owners, office administrators, aspiring bookkeepers, and anyone wanting to develop a practical understanding of bookkeeping and BAS preparation.

It is ideal for those with little or no prior bookkeeping experience, as well as individuals wishing to refresh existing knowledge or explore future opportunities in bookkeeping, accounts administration, or business support roles.

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Course materials

What to bring to class

• Laptop with access to Microsoft Excel (WiFi is available at the College)
• Basic calculator
• Pencil
• Rubber
• Sharpener
• Ruler

Additional information

Students will be provided with course notes and a business case study to use throughout the class.