Best Online Accounting Courses UK: Regulated and CPD Options
Online accounting courses range from regulated AAT and ACCA study to short CPD courses in Xero, Sage and bookkeeping. This guide explains which kind leads where, what they cost in time, and how to choose the right one for your goal.
By Tony Musso on
Searching for online accounting courses in the UK brings up two very different things: professional qualifications you can study online, such as AAT and ACCA, and short CPD courses in bookkeeping and accounting software. Both are useful, but they lead to different places. Picking the wrong one is the most common mistake people make.
This guide explains the difference, which kind of course suits which goal, and the online options available, including courses matched to our accountant and bookkeeper career pages.
Two kinds of online accounting course
| Regulated professional qualifications | CPD short courses | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | AAT, ACCA, CIMA, ICB bookkeeping qualifications | Xero, Sage, QuickBooks, bookkeeping and accounting basics |
| What you get | A recognised qualification and a route to membership | A certificate of completion, often CPD-accredited |
| Study time | Months to years | A few hours to a few weeks |
| Exams | Formal assessments set by the professional body | Usually online quizzes or a final test |
| Best for | Building an accounting career | Learning a skill fast, running your own books, adding to your CV |
A CPD-accredited course has been checked as suitable for professional development, but it is not the same as a regulated qualification and will not give you exemptions from AAT or ACCA exams. Some CPD courses use level numbers in their titles, so if you need a regulated qualification, check that the course is listed on Ofqual's Register of Regulated Qualifications or comes from an approved provider of the professional body.
Regulated accounting qualifications you can study online
AAT
The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) runs the most common entry-level route into accounting. The main qualifications are the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting, the Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and the Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting. Many approved training providers teach AAT online, and you sit computer-based assessments. AAT is also the usual first step if you do not have a degree, and holders of the Level 4 can claim exemptions from some ACCA exams.
If you are 19 or over and live in England, AAT Level 3 and Level 4 courses at approved providers are often eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan, which you only repay once you earn over a threshold.
ACCA and CIMA
ACCA and CIMA are chartered-level qualifications you can study online through approved tuition providers while you work. ACCA is the broadest and keeps audit and practice open. CIMA focuses on management accounting inside businesses. Our guides to the ACCA qualification and the CIMA qualification explain the exams, costs in time and who each one suits.
The ACA qualification is different: you need a training agreement with an ICAEW authorised employer before you start, so it is not something you can simply sign up for online.
Bookkeeping qualifications
AAT and the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) both offer regulated bookkeeping qualifications that can be studied online. They are a good fit if you want to work as a bookkeeper or keep books for small businesses.
Low-cost CPD accounting courses online
These are the courses our partners offer that we have matched to accountant and bookkeeper careers. Prices and lengths are as listed when we checked in October 2026.
| Provider | Course | Length or price |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Open College | Introduction To Accounting | £24.99 |
| Royal Open College | Diploma in Bookkeeping | £24.99 |
| Royal Open College | Sage 50 Accounting - Payroll and Bookkeeping | £24.99 |
| Royal Open College | QuickBooks Online Bookkeeping Diploma | £24.99 |
| Royal Open College | Xero Accounting Diploma | £24.99 |
| Learning 247 | Xero Software Certificate Training Course | 6 hours, £29 |
| Learning 247 | Basic Accounting (CPD Certified) Online Training Course | 12 hours, £29 |
| Learning 247 | Tax Accounting Certificate Training Course | 16 hours, £29 |
| New Skills Academy | Basic Accounting Certificate | 12 hours |
| New Skills Academy | Certificate for Using Xero Software | 6 hours |
All are self-paced. Royal Open College's Introduction To Accounting is designed as a first step before AAT or a similar qualification, and the software courses are useful because many bookkeeping and junior finance adverts ask for Xero, Sage or QuickBooks experience. You can browse more on the accounting and bookkeeping courses page.
Which course should you choose?
You want to do your own books or run a small business. A software course in the package you use, such as Xero or QuickBooks, plus a basic accounting or tax course, is usually enough.
You want a first job in finance or bookkeeping. Start with AAT Level 2 or a regulated bookkeeping qualification, and add a software course so your CV shows practical skills.
You are changing career into accountancy. AAT, an accountancy apprenticeship or ACCA are the recognised routes. Our guide to accounting apprenticeships explains the earn-while-you-learn option, and the accounting qualifications hub compares ACA, ACCA, CIMA and AAT side by side.
You already work in finance. ACCA or CIMA, ideally sponsored by your employer, will do the most for your career.
What the qualifications can lead to
| Career | Starting pay | Mid-career | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeper | £20,000 to £28,000 | £28,000 to £40,000 | £45,000 to £65,000 |
| Accountant | £24,000 to £32,000 (trainee) | £45,000 to £70,000 (qualified) | £90,000 to £200,000+ (partner or CFO) |
Pay figures are from our career data. Our accountant salary guide shows how pay rises as you qualify.
Checks before you pay for any course
- Is it regulated, or CPD? Make sure it matches your goal.
- Who is the awarding body? For AAT or ACCA, check the provider is approved.
- What does the price include? For professional qualifications, exam and membership fees are often extra.
- How much support is there? Self-paced study suits some people, while others need tutor support and deadlines.
- What do local employers ask for? Read a few job adverts for the role you want and see which qualifications and software they name.
If you are moving into finance from another field, present your numbers and organisation skills clearly: Career Change CV helps you rewrite your CV for the move.
See the full route into accountancy The accountant career page covers training routes, pay and the courses matched to the role.
Accountant: routes, pay and courses
Frequently asked questions
Can you study accounting online in the UK?
Yes. AAT, ACCA and CIMA can all be studied online through approved providers, alongside many short CPD courses in bookkeeping and accounting software. ACA is the exception, because you need a training agreement with an ICAEW authorised employer first.
Are online CPD accounting courses worth it?
They are worth it for learning a specific skill quickly, such as Xero or Sage, or for managing your own books. They are not regulated qualifications and will not give exemptions from AAT or ACCA exams.
What is the best online accounting course for beginners?
For a career, AAT Level 2 is the usual starting point. For a quick introduction or to manage your own business, a basic accounting course and a software course in Xero, Sage or QuickBooks are a sensible start.
Can I get funding for an online accounting course?
If you are 19 or over and live in England, AAT Level 3 and Level 4 courses at approved providers are often eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan. Apprenticeships and employer sponsorship are other ways to have your study paid for.
Do I need a degree to become an accountant?
No. AAT and accountancy apprenticeships are common routes without a degree, and both can lead on to chartered qualifications such as ACCA.
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