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Welcome to the Career Exploration series! In this self‑guided module, you are beginning an exciting journey to discover and develop skills that align with potential future careers. Each week, you'll explore a new career path and gain hands‑on experience with tools and tasks related to that field. This week, you'll dive into the world of basic accounting—a foundational profession that underpins financial decision‑making for individuals and organizations worldwide. Through this module, you'll learn about the responsibilities of a bookkeeper and entry‑level accountant, practice relevant skills, and gain insights that will help you decide if this career is a good fit for you.
Please ensure you read each section carefully. Estimated times to completion are listed below. Only seven hours are scheduled for this module, allowing for additional overflow time.
Bookkeeping Overview (1 hour)
The Accounting Equation (1 hour)
Your Personal Chart of Accounts (1 hour)
Ledgers (1 hour)
Budgeting Fundamentals (1 hour)
Financial Statements (1 hour)
Reflection and Career Fit (1 hour)
Hour 1 — Bookkeeping Overview
Hour 1 — Bookkeeping Overview
Basic accounting—often called bookkeeping—means recording, organizing, summarizing, and reporting every financial transaction that flows through a household, business, or nonprofit. In an entry‑level role you’ll juggle collecting receipts, coding expenses, entering journal entries, reconciling bank statements, and flagging anomalies—all while keeping the books accurate and up to date.
- Watch (5 min)
Watch this video for an overview.
2. Read (10 Minutes)
2. Read (10 Minutes)
Read the blog post: 7 Reasons Why Bookkeeping is Important for Your Business
3. Learn (10 Minutes)
3. Learn (10 Minutes)
This mini‑module gives you a taste of bookkeeping fundamentals. If you’d like a verified credential that appears on your transcript and signals job‑ready skills, explore the Basic Accounting Certificate offered through BYU‑Pathway Worldwide. The certificate covers foundational accounting principles, bookkeeping software, budgeting, and financial statement preparation, and it can later stack into an associate degree.
Spend ten minutes learning about the certificate here: BYU‑Pathway Basic Accounting Certificate.
4. Activity – Bookkeeping Example (25 min)
4. Activity – Bookkeeping Example (25 min)
Create a new Google Drive folder named “Basic Accounting Module.”
Set the sharing permissions to “Anyone with the link can view.”
Inside that folder, open a Google Sheet and title it “Bookkeeping Example.”
Steps
Locate one real‑life financial document—e.g., a purchase receipt, an online order confirmation, or a recent bank‑statement line—and take a clear screenshot (or copy the PDF link).
Paste the screenshot or link into the first tab of the Google Sheet.
In the second tab, make a simple log of the transaction with three columns — Date, Amount, and Category (Income or Expense).
Below the row, write 1–2 sentences explaining why you classified it as Income or Expense.
5. Self‑Review Checklist
5. Self‑Review Checklist
☐ Folder created and sharing set to “Anyone with the link can view”
☐ Screenshot or link added in Tab 1
☐ Journal entry completed in Tab 2
☐ 2–3 sentence explanation written
Hour 2 — The Accounting Equation
Hour 2 — The Accounting Equation
The accounting equation is like a simple balance scale:
What you OWN = What you OWE + What’s left for YOU
Assets = Liabilities + Equity
Think of it as your financial selfie. Everything you have (assets) must match up with where the money came from—either you borrowed it (liabilities) or it’s truly yours (equity).
- Watch (5 min)
Watch this video overview about the accounting equation.
2. Activity – Home Treasure Hunt (40 min)
2. Activity – Home Treasure Hunt (40 min)
Inside your “Basic Accounting Module” folder, create a new Google Sheet named “Accounting Equation.”
In that sheet, add six columns: Asset Item, Asset Value, Liability Item, Liability Value, Equity Item, and Equity Value.
Look around your home and write down at least five everyday items (e.g., bicycle, laptop, allowance money).
Give each item a simple value you think it’s worth (guess is fine).
If you owe money for an item (e.g., half‑paid phone), write that amount in Liabilities.
Add a Totals row beneath your list. In the Asset Value, Liability Value, and Equity Value columns, use =SUM() formulas to total each set of numbers.
Then, in an empty cell, type a check formula such as =B8=D8+F8 (replace B8, D8, F8 with the cells containing your three totals). Google Sheets will display TRUE when the equation balances—adjust your values until you see TRUE.** when the equation balances—tweak your values until you see TRUE.
See the sample spreadsheet below or linked here for reference.
3. Self‑Review Checklist
3. Self‑Review Checklist
☐ At least five items listed under Assets
☐ Liabilities column filled (can be zero)
☐ Equation balances with simple numbers
☐ Sheet saved in your “Basic Accounting Module” folder
Hour 3 — Your Personal Chart of Accounts
Hour 3 — Your Personal Chart of Accounts
A chart of accounts (COA) is simply a master list of all the money “buckets” a bookkeeper uses to keep things organized. Each bucket (account) gets a short name and a number so the computer (and future accountants) always know exactly where a transaction belongs. Think of it as the grown‑up version of the colored buckets you made when you were younger—same idea, just with labels and numbers that never change.
1. Watch (5 min)
Watch the video below to learn about a COA.
2. Activity – Build Your First COA (40 min)
2. Activity – Build Your First COA (40 min)
In your “Basic Accounting Module” folder, create a new Google Sheet named “My Chart of Accounts.”
Add four columns: Account No., Account Name (Bucket), Category (Asset, Liability, Equity, Income, Expense), and What Goes Inside.
Using the guide below, list at least eight accounts—two from each category where possible.
100‑199 Assets (e.g., 101 Cash, 120 Laptop)
200‑299 Liabilities (e.g., 210 Credit Card Debt)
300‑399 Equity (e.g., 301 Owner’s Capital)
400‑499 Income (e.g., 410 Babysitting Revenue)
500‑599 Expenses (e.g., 520 Groceries)
In the What Goes Inside column, write one sentence explaining what typical money or stuff belongs in that bucket.
Color‑code each Category (Assets = green, Liabilities = red, Equity = purple, Income = blue, Expenses = yellow) so you can spot them quickly.
See an example below or linked here.
3. Self‑Review Checklist
3. Self‑Review Checklist
☐ Google Sheet “My Chart of Accounts” created in module folder
☐ Eight or more accounts listed with numbers and names
☐ Category assigned for each account
☐ One‑sentence description for every account
☐ Rows color‑coded by category
Hour 4 — Ledgers
Hour 4 — Ledgers
A ledger is just a running list for each money bucket. When a number is copied to the wrong side, the buckets get lopsided. A trial balance is a quick test to see if the left side (debits) still equals the right side (credits).
- Watch (10 minutes)
Watch this overview of how general ledgers work.
2. Activity – Build a Simple Ledger (40 min)
2. Activity – Build a Simple Ledger (40 min)
In your “Basic Accounting Module” folder, create a new Google Sheet named “Ledger.”
Add five columns: Date, Description, Category (Income or Expense), Amount, and Running Balance.
Enter at least eight transactions from the past week—include both money coming in (income) and money going out (expenses).
In the Running Balance column, use a formula so each row shows how much money you have after that transaction (for example, in cell E2 type =E1+D2 where E1 is your starting amount).
Add a Totals row below your data: use =SUM(D:D) to see the Net Change across all transactions.
Insert a bar chart comparing total Income vs Expense using the Category and Amount columns.
Apply conditional formatting to color any negative Running Balance cells red.
Color the header row and freeze it so the titles stay visible when you scroll.
See below or this link for an example. (Note, the bar chart may not display properly below).
Ledger.xlsx3. Self-Review Checklist
3. Self-Review Checklist
☐ “My First Ledger” Google Sheet created in module folder
☐ Five columns set up correctly
☐ Eight or more transactions entered
☐ Running Balance formula works down the column
☐ Net Change row shows correct total
☐ Income vs Expense bar chart inserted
☐ Conditional formatting highlights negative balances
☐ Header row colored and frozen
Hour 5 — Budgeting Fundamentals
Hour 5 — Budgeting Fundamentals
Think of a budget as a plan for your money. This hour, you’ll learn how to track what you get (income) and what you spend (expenses) so you always know where your money goes. While this hour will walk you through how to do this for personal finances, the same principles apply to organizations of all sizes.
- Watch (10 min)
Learn the basics of how to create a budget from watching this video.
Video: Budgeting for Beginners
2. Activity — Create a Budget Template (45 min)
2. Activity — Create a Budget Template (45 min)
In your “Basic Accounting Module” folder, create a new Google Sheet (or upload a downloaded template) to use as your personal budget template.
Using ideas from the video above, design a layout with sections for Income and different types of Expenses (for example: Fixed, Variable, Savings, etc.). You can create your own categories or search online for a template you like.
Your budget can be blank—no need to enter real numbers—but should include columns (or rows) and formulas that would calculate totals and show remaining balance. Outside of your submission, you can use this template to build your own budget.
Be creative: add spaces for notes, color-code different categories, or include charts if you want.
Save the Sheet in your module folder with a clear name (e.g., “My Budget Template”).
3. Self-Review Checklist
3. Self-Review Checklist
☐ Budget template sheet created in your module folder
☐ Sections for Income and Expenses clearly labelled
☐ Formulas calculate totals and show remaining balance
☐ (Optional) Charts or formatting help visualize the budget
Hour 6 - Financial Statements
Hour 6 - Financial Statements
Think of financial statements as the story your money tells after you finish the budget. This hour you’ll meet the full cast of storytellers: the Income Statement (how much you earned and spent), the Balance Sheet (what you own and owe), and the Cash Flow Statement (how cash actually moved in and out). By the end, you’ll see how these three pages flip together like a comic book, revealing profit, worth, and cash flow in one quick read—whether you’re running a lemonade stand or leading a global company.
- Watch (10 min)
Learn the basics of how to create a budget from watching this video.
2. Activity: A Personal Balance Sheet & Income Statement
2. Activity: A Personal Balance Sheet & Income Statement
Step 1: Introduction (5 minutes)
Read the short explanations provided:
Balance Sheet = What you own and what you owe (as of today)
Income Statement = What you earn and what you spend (over a month)
Step 2: Create a Personal Balance Sheet (10 minutes)
Start a new Google Sheet. Name the sheet Financial Statements activity.
Create a tab called "Balance Sheet." Use the template below to fill in the sheet. Feel free to estimate values — no need to be exact! Use formulas where practical.
Assets (What You Own) Amount
Cash (wallet, savings) $
Phone (resale value) $
Laptop/tablet $
Other personal items (e.g., bike, furniture) $
Total Assets $
Liabilities (What You Owe) Amount
Credit card balance $
Student loans $
Owe to family/friends $
Total Liabilities $
Add a formula at the bottom of the sheet for Net Worth. The formula should be: Net Worth = Total Assets - Total Liabilities
Step 3: Create a One-Month Income Statement (10 minutes)
Create a new tab in your Google Sheet for Income Statement.
Use the template below to fill in the sheet. Feel free to estimate values — no need to be exact! Use formulas where practical.
Income Amount
Part-time job or freelance work $
Allowance or family support $
Other (e.g., selling something) $
Total Income $
Expenses Amount
Rent/housing $
Food $
Transportation $
Subscriptions (e.g., Netflix) $
Other $
Total Expenses $
Add a formula at the bottom of the sheet for Net Income. The formula should be: Net Income = Total Income - Total Expenses
Step 4: Reflect (10 minutes)
Answer the following questions in a third tab named "Reflect" on your Google sheet:
What surprised you when listing your assets and liabilities?
Are you spending more than you earn? If yes, where could you cut back?
What’s one small step you could take to improve your net worth?
Hour 7 — Reflection & Career Fit
Hour 7 — Reflection & Career Fit
By now you’ve sampled the core tasks of a bookkeeper. In this final hour, you’ll step back, look outward at the real job market, and decide whether this path aligns with your goals and strengths.
1. Activity A – Personal Reflection: “Could I see myself in this role?” (20 min)
1. Activity A – Personal Reflection: “Could I see myself in this role?” (20 min)
Before you start writing, pause for one minute and replay your favorite—and least favorite—moments from the past seven hours. Let those memories guide an honest assessment.
Open a new Google Doc titled “Bookkeeping Reflection.”
Write 250–400 words responding to all five prompts below. Use a numbered list or short paragraphs—whichever feels more natural:
Energizers vs. Drainers: Which tasks (recording expenses, categorizing transactions, balancing a budget, organizing receipts, using spreadsheet formulas) gave you energy, and which felt heavy?
Transferable Strengths: Name two existing skills you have that would help you succeed in bookkeeping.
Skill Gaps: Identify one area you’d need to strengthen (e.g., attention to detail, using spreadsheets, understanding financial terms).
Ideal Work Setup: Describe your preferred weekly schedule and work environment (e.g., remote, freelance, in-office, part-time).
Career Vision: In one sentence, answer: “Can I see myself thriving as a bookkeeper within the next 12 months? Why or why not?”
Save the Doc in your module Google Drive folder and ensure “anyone with the link can view.”
2. Activity B – Market Scan: Real Bookkeeping Listings (20 min)
2. Activity B – Market Scan: Real Bookkeeping Listings (20 min)
Create a Google Sheet titled “Bookkeeping Job Listings.”
In Row 1, add these headers:
Platform | Job Title | Salary / Rate | Standout Requirement | Application Link
Visit three job boards:
LinkedIn Jobs (filter for Remote + Bookkeeper/Accounting Assistant)
Upwork → “Accounting › Bookkeeping”
Any other reputable source you like (e.g., Indeed, FlexJobs)
Find at least five listings that genuinely interest you—spread across two or more platforms.
For each one:
Skim the description.
Note one or two standout requirements (e.g., “must know QuickBooks,” “20 hrs/week,” “CPA preferred”).
Use =HYPERLINK() so links are clickable and clean.
Look for patterns in pay ranges, tools, and task expectations—this will make your reflection more concrete.
Save the Sheet in your module Google Drive folder and ensure “anyone with the link can view.”
3. Read: A Disciple’s Approach to Work & Finances (20 min)
3. Read: A Disciple’s Approach to Work & Finances (20 min)
This reading centers on approaching financial stewardship with a disciple’s mindset—a valuable frame for anyone considering a career in bookkeeping.
📖 Read: “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually”
By Elder Robert D. Hales (April 2009 General Conference)
As you read, reflect on how principles like self-reliance, stewardship, and integrity connect to the work of keeping accurate financial records for others.
You have reached the end of this module!
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