Course 1 · Beginner · 5 lessons · 42 min
Bookkeeping Fundamentals
The foundations every founder and new bookkeeper needs: what bookkeeping is, the accounting equation, debits and credits, the chart of accounts, and cash versus accrual.
ClearBooks Academy
Learn bookkeeping and accounting
Short, practical courses on keeping a company's books: from debits and credits to closing the month, SAFEs, payroll and the year-end tax hand-off. The first lesson of every course is free to read; a free account unlocks the rest.
Courses
Course 2 · Beginner · 4 lessons · 32 min
Reading Financial Statements
Learn to read the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement — and see how the three connect so you can spot errors before an investor does.
Course 3 · Intermediate · 4 lessons · 34 min
The Monthly Close
Run a reliable month-end close: reconcile every account, book accruals, prepaids and deferred revenue, review the numbers and lock the period.
Course 4 · Intermediate · 4 lessons · 35 min
Accounting for Startups
What's different about a venture-backed C corporation's books: setting them up, SAFEs and equity, payroll entries, and getting from the ledger to a year-end tax return.
Questions
- Is ClearBooks Academy free?
- Yes. The first lesson of every course is open to everyone. The remaining lessons are free with a ClearBooks account — no credit card required.
- Who is the academy for?
- Founders who run their own books, first finance hires, and bookkeepers new to venture-backed startups. Lessons assume no accounting background; the intermediate courses build on the fundamentals.
- Is this tax or legal advice?
- No. Lessons teach general US bookkeeping and accounting practice. Tax rules and thresholds change; confirm specifics for your company with a CPA or the primary source.
Start today
Practise on your own books
Every lesson links to the part of ClearBooks where you can do it for real: reconcile an account, book an accrual, close a month. Free to start.