What is management accounting?

Management accounting, also called managerial accounting is a branch of accounting that is used by company managers to analyze internal costs and budgets. Unlike financial accounting, it is not for use by people outside of the organization. At a fundamental level, management accounting is concerned with cost behaviors, cost systems, and cost analysis. It affects pricing, budgets, and other key internal decisions. Data presentation and data analysis are key parts of the work of a management accountant. Management accountants are comfortable with spreadsheets, and they are able to communicate with people inside the organization. Understanding management accounting is key to successful business management.

What are typical careers that use management accounting?

Management accounting is used by accountants and business analysts inside an organization. Corporate tax accountants also have an understanding of management accounting. People working in lower or middle management levels in an organization could benefit from an understanding of management accounting, as it will help them understand why and how decisions are being made. This will help them manage their objectives more effectively. Senior managers and executives need to understand management accounting because they are the folks who will be making key budget decisions and holding people accountable to them. Small business owners and other entrepreneurs should understand managerial accounting so that they have the information they need to grow their businesses.

How can online courses help me learn management accounting?

Online courses can help you learn management accounting as well as financial accounting and tax accounting. There are courses at all levels, from introductory courses for beginners to continuing education course for practitioners. Some classes look at practical matters, like Excel functions and spreadsheet design. Others go into theories of value chain management and approaches to accounting for decision making. Online courses include video lectures, readings, exams, class discussions, and projects. Some online courses in managerial accounting are Guided Projects to help people apply managerial accounting to a specific situation. Others lead to Professional Certificates or Specializations. Many courses stand alone and can help you extend your management accounting skills.

What are the benefits of taking an online Management Accounting course?

Online Management Accounting courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Management Accounting skills. Choose from a wide range of Management Accounting courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Management Accounting courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Management Accounting, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Management Accounting Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Management Accounting Course Catalog

Status: Preview
University of Virginia
Managerial Accounting Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Management Accounting, Cost Accounting, Operating Cost, Cost Benefit Analysis, Cost Management, Budget Management, Financial Accounting, Financial Data, Financial Analysis, Decision Making, Resource Allocation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
827 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Politecnico di Milano
Fundamentals of financial and management accounting
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Balance Sheet, Capital Budgeting, Cost Accounting, Income Statement, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Cost Management, Operating Cost, Cash Flows, Capital Expenditure, Decision Making
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
742 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Fundamentals of Accounting
Skills you'll gain: Management Accounting, Income Statement, Financial Statements, Performance Measurement, Balance Sheet, Organizational Strategy, Financial Statement Analysis, Capacity Management, Cost Accounting, Cost Control, Financial Accounting, Performance Metric, Cash Flows, Financial Reporting, Financial Analysis, Accounting, Budget Management, Business Metrics, Operational Analysis, Product Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Financial Management
Skills you'll gain: Mergers & Acquisitions, Working Capital, Revenue Recognition, Financial Statements, Credit Risk, Cash Management, Accrual Accounting, Financial Analysis, Investments, Corporate Finance, Business Valuation, Financial Statement Analysis, Cash Flows, Financial Accounting, Financial Management, Investment Management, Business Ethics, Finance, Portfolio Management, Risk Management
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.9K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Cost Accounting
Skills you'll gain: Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, Income Statement, Operating Cost, Cost Management, Inventory Accounting, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Gross Profit, Strategic Decision-Making, Accounting, Product Planning, Resource Allocation, Product Assortment, Depreciation, Financial Accounting, Production Process, Financial Statements, Price Negotiation, Capacity Management, Decision Making
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
286 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Introduction to Financial Accounting: The Accounting Cycle
Skills you'll gain: Ledgers (Accounting), Accounting Systems, Accounting, Month End Closing, Accounting Records, Bookkeeping, Financial Accounting, Financial Statements, General Accounting, General Ledger, Accrual Accounting, Standard Accounting Practices, Financial Reporting, Accruals, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Revenue Recognition, Business Ethics, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Reconciliation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
697 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

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Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Managerial Accounting: Cost Behaviors, Systems, and Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Management Accounting, Cost Accounting, Accounting Systems, Supply Chain, Accounting, Operating Cost, Financial Accounting, Cost Management, Cost Estimation, Analysis, Decision Making
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Healthcare Management and Finance
Skills you'll gain: Health Care Administration, Clinical Leadership, Community Health, Financial Statements, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Accounting, Public Health, People Management, Financial Statement Analysis, Human Resources Management and Planning, Strategic Decision-Making, Financial Analysis, Health Systems, Electronic Medical Record, Return On Investment, Balance Sheet, Business Valuation, Accounting, Strategic Planning, Marketing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
99 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IESE Business School
Accounting: Principles of Financial Accounting
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Statements, Accounting, Income Statement, Cash Flows, Balance Sheet, Financial Accounting, Accrual Accounting, Financial Analysis, General Accounting, Financial Reporting
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Accounting Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Fraud detection, Financial Data, Financial Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Business Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Analytics, Forecasting, Accounting, Business Metrics, Performance Analysis, Advanced Analytics, Operational Analysis, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Finance
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IESE Business School
Foundations of Management
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Statements, Marketing Strategies, Strategic Marketing, Marketing, Accounting, Brand Management, Income Statement, Cash Flows, Balance Sheet, Financial Accounting, Marketing Management, Financial Acumen, Organizational Leadership, Financial Analysis, Management Accounting, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Leadership, Business Analysis, Finance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
Tally Education and Distribution Services Private Limited
Financial Business Accounting and MIS Reports
Skills you'll gain: Accounts Payable and Receivable, Accounting Software, Ledgers (Accounting), Accounting, Financial Accounting, Sales Tax, Financial Statements, Bookkeeping, International Finance, Invoicing, Inventory Management System, Cash Handling, Tax Compliance, Reconciliation, Payment Systems, Banking, Corporate Tax
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
48 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months