Personal Finance & Accounting

This course teaches students how to manage their personal finances and understand basic accounting principles and practices. These practical life skills equip students for independence as they approach adulthood.

Overview

Course Description

During the fall semester, the course focuses on personal finances. Students learn how to create a budget, compare investment options, and file taxes, and present an individualized financial portfolio as their final project of the semester. During the spring, the course pivots to business finance and accounting, and opens with a discussion of accounting ethics. Students then analyze accounting transactions, evaluate various types of financial statements, and walk through the steps of the accounting cycle. They conclude the course by completing an annual report for a company of their choice.

If you’re looking for a course that focuses primarily on personal finance, consider taking our one-semester Personal Finance course.

Prerequisites

Students should have completed Algebra 1 or an equivalent course, and be able to read at a 10th grade level. We also recommend they have some experience using Microsoft Excel.

Students Will Learn

How to understand the biblical views of spending, saving, and investment

How to make informed and responsible decisions about incurring and repaying debt to remain creditworthy and financially secure

How to assess the value, features, and planning processes associated with savings, investing, and asset building to achieve long-term financial security

How to prepare financial statements in accordance with proper standards

How to become strongly competent in financial literacy

How to identify the various types of business ownership structures

Live Class Sections

Only open sections are posted below. Sign up for one of the available class sections. All sections cover the same material, so pick the time that best fits your schedule. Don't worry if none of the live times work for you! You can still register for a section and watch the recordings of the live classes at your convenience.

Personal Finance & Accounting is a yearlong course. Registration opens in late February.

What to Expect Weekly

We estimate that the course workload will take 5–7 hours per week. During a typical week, students complete the following coursework:

90 minutes of live class instruction
Video lecture (10–20 minutes)
1 chapter textbook reading (30 pages per chapter)
1 chapter non-textbook reading (20 pages per chapter)
Discussion forum (one post and one reply)
Homework Assignment
Quiz

Throughout the year, students complete two projects, various homework assignments, and quizzes.

Course Materials

Books & materials are finalized before registration opens. In rare situations, however, they may change due to external circumstances.

Dave Ramsey’s Complete Guide to Money (2011)

by Ramsey, Dave

ISBN: 978-1937077204

Personal Finance

by Kapoor, Jack

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1260013993 Paperback 978-1260569933 Loose Leaf 978-1260799781

More Details

Please purchase either the 13th or 14th edition to use for this course. The ISBN numbers above are for the 13th edition.

Glencoe Accounting: First Year Course (2007)

by McGraw-Hill Education

ISBN: Hardcover 978-0078688294

Microsoft Office or equivalent

More Details

For this course, students will work frequently with spreadsheets. They need access to a word processor that can open and edit Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.). No specific program is required.

Master Teacher

Jessica Hines

BS, Arizona State University

Jessica Hines has her bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from Arizona State University. Her decades long teaching career includes many years of private tutoring as well as teaching local homeschool classes, including high school chemistry and biology labs, high ... View full bio »

“

This accounting class was SO much fun.

I learned a lot and while I never enjoyed numbers previous to this class, I am seriously considering pursuing a degree where business and accounting are involved. 10 out of 10 recommend.

Moriah from North Dakota

Before taking this course

While not a prerequisite, successful completion of this course (or an equivalent course) is encouraged. This ensures your child is prepared to engage with the course material at a deeper level.