Last updated: June 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: Small-business owners should start with QuickBooks Online Made Simple (4.3★). If you want both Desktop and Online covered, the 4-Course Bundle (4.5★) is the most complete. The official QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification is free from Intuit — these courses prepare you for it.
- Best for owners: QuickBooks Online Made Simple
- Best all-in-one: QuickBooks Pro & Online 4-Course Bundle
- Pricing: Udemy courses typically $15–$20 on sale; ProAdvisor cert is free
QuickBooks runs the books for millions of small businesses, and learning it well saves either bookkeeper fees or a lot of month-end stress. The first thing to settle is which version you’re on: most new businesses use QuickBooks Online, while many established ones still run QuickBooks Desktop. The courses below are split so you don’t buy training for the wrong one.
We checked each course was live and confirmed its current rating before recommending it — and dropped a popular older course that’s no longer available. We earn a commission if you enroll through our links, which never changes the order.
HOW WE PICKED
We weighed who the course is for (owner vs bookkeeper, Online vs Desktop), how current it is, instructor track record, and learner ratings at scale. Every pick holds a 4.3★ rating or higher and is confirmed live.
1. Best for small-business owners — QuickBooks Online Made Simple
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If you run a business and just need to keep clean books in QuickBooks Online, this is the most direct course. It skips the accountant-level theory and focuses on the daily reality — invoicing, expenses, reconciling, and reading your reports. At 4.3★ it’s the practical starting point for non-accountants.
Best for: owners doing their own QuickBooks Online books. Worth knowing: it’s QBO-only — Desktop users should pick the masterclass below.
2. Best all-in-one — QuickBooks Pro & QuickBooks Online: 4-Course Bundle
This bundle is the most complete pick because it teaches both QuickBooks Desktop (Pro) and QuickBooks Online side by side. That’s genuinely useful if you support clients on different versions or expect to move between them. At 4.5★ it’s the best value for anyone who wants broad coverage rather than one version.
Best for: bookkeepers and anyone needing both Desktop and Online. Worth knowing: it’s broad, so parts won’t apply to your specific version.
RECOMMENDED PARTNER — UDEMY
Learn QuickBooks for the price of an hour with a bookkeeper
These Udemy courses are typically $15–$20 on sale, with lifetime access and a 30-day refund — then the official ProAdvisor certification is free from Intuit.
Affiliate partnership — we may earn commission when you sign up via this link. We only recommend courses we’d send a friend to.
3. Best for Desktop users — QuickBooks Desktop: Beginner-Advanced Masterclass
Plenty of established businesses still run QuickBooks Desktop, and this masterclass is the best dedicated course for them — beginner to advanced, focused on the Desktop interface and workflows that differ from the Online version. At 4.6★ it’s the highest-rated course here.
Best for: anyone on QuickBooks Desktop. Worth knowing: if you’re on QuickBooks Online, the owner course or bundle fits better.
4. Best for starting a bookkeeping business — QuickBooks Online Bookkeeping Business
If your goal isn’t just to use QuickBooks but to earn from it, this course frames QuickBooks Online around running a bookkeeping business — client workflows, monthly processes, and the practical side of doing the books for others. At 4.5★ it’s the best pick for aspiring freelance bookkeepers.
Best for: people starting a bookkeeping side business. Worth knowing: it assumes you’ll work in QuickBooks Online with clients.
QuickBooks courses compared
| Course | Best for | Version | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online Made Simple | Business owners | Online | 4.3 |
| QuickBooks Pro & Online (4-Course Bundle) | All-in-one | Both | 4.5 |
| QuickBooks Desktop Masterclass | Desktop users | Desktop | 4.6 |
| QuickBooks Online Bookkeeping Business | Freelance bookkeepers | Online | 4.5 |
The QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification, explained
Here’s something worth knowing before you pay for any “certification”: the official QuickBooks credential is free.
- QuickBooks ProAdvisor — Intuit’s official certification for bookkeepers and accountants. You get it free by joining QuickBooks Online Accountant and passing Intuit’s exam. It’s the credential clients actually recognize.
- Udemy completion certificates — the courses above issue one, which shows your training, but it isn’t the ProAdvisor credential.
- Intuit Bookkeeping Professional Certificate — a separate, paid program on Coursera for those wanting a broader bookkeeping credential.
The sensible path: use an inexpensive course above to actually learn QuickBooks, then take the free ProAdvisor exam for the credential.
QuickBooks is one bookkeeping tool. For the wider skill set, see our guides to the best bookkeeping courses, best accounting courses, and best payroll courses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best QuickBooks course?
For business owners on QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Online Made Simple (4.3★) is the most practical. If you want both Desktop and Online covered, the 4-Course Bundle (4.5★) is the most complete choice.
Is QuickBooks certification free?
The official QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification is free — you earn it through QuickBooks Online Accountant by passing Intuit’s exam. The Udemy courses here are paid training that prepares you for it, not the certification itself.
Should I learn QuickBooks Online or Desktop?
Most new businesses should learn QuickBooks Online, which is where Intuit is focused. Learn Desktop if your business already runs it. If you support clients on both, the 4-Course Bundle covers each.
How much do QuickBooks courses cost?
The Udemy courses are usually $15–$20 during Udemy’s frequent sales, with lifetime access. The official ProAdvisor certification is free; the Coursera Intuit Bookkeeping certificate is a separate paid program.
Building skills beyond QuickBooks? Our business courses hub ranks the best options across accounting, finance, management, and more.