The financial industry is divided into different areas, including banking, credit, capital markets, leverage, money, and investments. Each area plays a vital role in finance and growing and developing wealth.
You may be interested in developing a new skill or changing career paths when deciding to learn finance. You may also decide to learn finance for personal reasons. Learning finance can provide you with tools to build your own wealth and become financially literate. Professionally financial skills can build a strong resume.
There are several ways that you can learn finance. One of the best ways is to take live classes online. These live classes provide an expert instructor to guide you through lessons in real-time. You can take classes anywhere in the world from the comfort of your home.
The 10 Best Online Finance Classes
- NYIM Training—Advanced Excel for Financial Modeling (Live Online)
- Class Rebel—Angel Investing 101 (Live Online)
- Silvia Gonxales—Wise Finances (Live Online)
- Santa Monica College—Investment Bootcamp (Live Online)
- Noble Desktop—Intro to Python Programming (Live Online)
- Fordham University PCS—Real Estate Finance and Investment (Live Online)
- Training the Street—Financial Statement Analysis and Accounting (Live Online)
- Discovery Center—Ultimate Stock and Crypto Trading (Live Online)
- Santa Monica College—Women and Investing (Live Online)
- Noble Desktop—FinTech Bootcamp (Live Online)
#1: NYIM Training—Advanced Excel for Financial Modeling (Live Online)
This Advanced Excel for Financial Modeling class provides students with the necessary Excel skills and knowledge specific to finance. Participants learn the essential Excel functions and formulas used in finance such as financial, statistical, and logical functions. They will perform financial calculations, analyze data, and make informed financial decisions throughout the course. Students will learn to build dynamic financial models using Excel. In doing so, they will learn to create balance sheets and income statements. As the course concludes, students will use Excel to analyze various financial markets and project company revenues.Â
Key Information
The course costs $350. NYIM Training does expect tuition before the start of the course. The course meets for one day of class. The class is six hours long. As this course is advanced, some previous knowledge is necessary. While students do not need any financial experience, they need at least an intermediate-level knowledge of Excel. NYIM suggests taking the Intermediate Excel for Business class to enroll in this course.Â
More Details
Each school you look into will have various benefits that it offers to students. NYIM offers various benefits to their students who enroll in this advanced Excel course. These benefits include:
- Free retake within a year of completing the course
- Digital certificate upon completing the course
- Small class sizes.Â
- Access to class recordings
Of course, these benefits look great, but hearing from former students can help you decide on a school. Students stated that the professor "was patient and changed the direction as he determined what my greatest needs were."
#2:Class Rebel—Angel Investing 101 (Live Online)
Students who enroll in Angel Investing 101 are interested in learning about early-stage investing and supporting startups. During this course, students will learn the fundamentals of angel investing, including the investment process, deal sourcing, and due diligence. The course provides students with the necessary skills to become successful angel investors. Students will learn to negotiate and structure investment deals with entrepreneurs. They gain insights into evaluating investment opportunities, assessing business models, and identifying potential risks and returns.
Key Information
When students enroll in this course, they will be included in four live video sessions, each lasting two hours. To enroll in the course, students must pay $99. Students may opt for the free preview of the course, but they receive no additional benefits that come with the course. Students do not need any prior financial knowledge to enroll in this course and be successful.Â
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Upon enrollment, participants gain lifetime access to course materials and on-demand recordings, allowing them to revisit the content and stay updated with industry trends and best practices in angel investing. The CEO of Class Rebel, Brook Harley, teaches all courses. Students in these courses mentioned that hearing the information through a story format emphasized the points, making them easier to understand and grasp.
#3: Silvia Gonzales—Wise Finance (Live Online)
Through this Wise Finance workshop, Silvia Gonzales aims to provide students with a way to gain control over their financial well-being. Students learn the fundamentals of personal finance, including budgeting, saving, and debt management. They gain insights into creating a budget, tracking expenses, and developing strategies to achieve their financial goals. Through the work of financial activities and meditation, this course aims to heal the troubled relationship many people have with their finances.Â
Key Information
This virtual workshop meets for one class session each week for six weeks. Each session is two hours long. Students do not need any prior financial knowledge or experience before enrolling in this course; however, wearing comfortable clothing to the virtual sessions is recommended. This finance workshop costs $450. Payment is due before the first class.Â
More Details
The finance workshop is taught live online, anywhere, through Zoom. Classes are small, and students work directly with Silvia Gonzalez. To heal the relationship between each person and their finances, Gonzalez will lead the class through a meditation session. Students who participated in the course thought: "This was a truly transformative workshop series for me! I can not recommend it highly enough."
#4: Santa Monica College—Investment Bootcamp (Live Online)
Santa Monica College offers various courses through its community education program. The Investment Bootcamp teaches students to evaluate and judge investment choices. The course covers key aspects of financial planning such as retirement planning, investment strategies, and tax management. Students learn about investment options, risk assessments, and long-term financial planning techniques. They will explore money-management principles that successful investors use. Students will dive into retirement account types like 401(k), 403(b), or IRA.Â
Key Information
Students must pay the $49 enrollment fee before attending the course. Once enrolled in the course. Students will meet for one class that lasts 2.5 hours. Students don't need financial or investing experience to enroll in this course. Those with retirement accounts could benefit from the course.
More Details
Santa Monica College offers these community education courses in Los Angeles or online via Zoom. If students want to attend the course in-person, they must provide a valid California address or phone number. Students who participated in this live class said it was a "good and informative class!"Â
#5: Noble Desktop—Intro to Python Programming (Live Online)
The Intro to Python Programming class offered by Noble Desktop is designed to provide participants with a thorough introduction to Python programming. The class covers various topics essential for individuals new to programming or looking to expand their skills. As Python programming is commonly used in the financial industry, it can be a handy skill for those entering it. Students learn the fundamentals of Python syntax, data types, and variables. They gain insights into writing and executing Python scripts and understanding the basic principles of programming logic. The class explores functions and modules, teaching students how to define and use functions to organize code and perform specific tasks. They also learn about importing and using existing modules to extend Python's capabilities.
Key Information
The tuition for Noble's Intro to Python programming course is $895. Payment for the course is due before the class starts. With Python being a free, open-source programming language, there are no extra fees included in the course for supplies. Students will meet for two days of class; each class session meets for six hours. This is an introductory course, so students do not need prior knowledge before attending.Â
More Details
Noble Desktop offers various benefits to students who enroll in courses. Students can attend classes in-person at Noble's New York campus, or they can attend classes live online anywhere in the world. All classes at Noble Desktop are small, allowing the instructor to work with each student individually throughout the course. Noble will award a certificate to students who complete the course successfully. Students may also retake the course for free up to one year after completion.Â
Clayton W. stated, "Very good foundational class with good information for those just starting out with Python." Students receive a custom workbook and access to the class recordings after the session. Another student mentioned, "[the instructor] was absolutely fantastic. I have done other training sessions, and he has been by far the best."Â
#6: Fordham University PCS—Real Estate Finance and Investment (live Online)
The Real Estate Finance and Investment certificate program offered by Fordham University's School of Professional and Continuing Studies provides students with an understanding of real estate finance and investment principles. This program includes five courses that can be taken individually or as a comprehensive program. Students learn about the fundamentals of real estate finance such as the time value of money, cash flow analysis, and valuation techniques. They gain insights into mortgage financing, loan underwriting, and the role of debt in real estate transactions. They delve into property valuation methods and techniques, including income capitalization and sales comparison approaches. They learn how to estimate property values, analyze market trends, and assess the financial performance of real estate assets.
Key Information
Students can opt to take each course individually when they have time and pay $595 for each course. Or they can opt to take several courses together. To complete the certificate program, students must pay the tuition of five courses, or $2975. Payment is due before the start of each course. Each course meets for six weeks. Depending on how many courses a student opts to take at one time, they can receive their certificate anywhere between 6 weeks to 30 weeks. Courses are only available during September, November, February, March, and June. Students should have some knowledge of Microsoft Excel before jumping into these courses.Â
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These certificate programs led by Fordham University PCS are 100% online. Students can enroll in the certificate program and complete five courses to receive their certificate. They can opt to take them one at a time or in groups. Kevin I., who completed the certificate program, states the program "was exactly what I was looking for. The professors were extremely knowledgeable" and that each one had real-world examples that made the topics easy to understand.Â
#7: Training the Street—Financial Statement Analysis and Accounting (Live Online)
The Financial Statement Analysis and Accounting class offered by Training The Street is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of analyzing financial statements to make informed investment and business decisions. The class covers various topics essential for individuals seeking to gain expertise in financial statement analysis. Students learn to interpret and analyze financial statements. They gain insights into understanding the components of each statement, identifying key financial ratios, and assessing the financial health of companies.
Key Information
This full-time course meets for three consecutive days. However, students can split the course up and take each day individually. Students will need to pay the tuition of $1150 per day they attend. Training the Street does offer discounts to groups and existing clients. To enroll in the full course, students don't need prior knowledge or experience; however, students wishing to attend day two or three will need basic knowledge of financial accounting.Â
More Details
Students who enroll in this course and complete all three days will receive a certificate. They will also receive online access to the course materials for a year after completing the course and access to the full accounting video library. Students who cannot attend the live taught classes can learn on-demand and learn the same information at their own pace. Students who have attended this school state that they provide "real hands-on guidance from expert-level teachers."
#8: Discovery Center—Ultimate Stock and Crypto Trading (Live Online)
The Ultimate Stock and Crypto Trading course offered by Discovery Center focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in stock trading. Students learn about the stock market basics, including how stocks are traded, market terminology, and the role of different market participants. The class explores the practical aspects of executing trades. Students will explore different trading strategies.
Key Information
Students who enroll in this course will meet virtually for one class session that is two hours long. Before gaining access to the course, students must pay the $20 fee. As a community development course, students do not need any prior knowledge to attend this class.Â
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Students who attend this course can attend at the physical location in Chicago or opt to take the course live online through Zoom. Joseph H., who completed the course, states: "I thought the class was very enlightening. [The instructor] broke it down into very digestible material." Several other students mentioned that the class was very informative and "helpful even for beginners."
#9: Santa Monica College—Women and Investing (Live Online)
Santa Monica College Community Education program offers a Women and Investing course that aims to teach women in the community about investing. The course covers the basics of investing, teaching participants about different investment options, risk assessment, and building an investment portfolio. Students will explore various options on how to improve their current financial standing. They will also learn ways to handle inflation. Students will examine how to choose investment advisors, select investments, and forecast the economy.Â
Key Information
This community education course meets for 2.5 hours for one class session. Before enrolling in the course, students must pay the $49 class fee. The course is geared toward women; however, there are no prior knowledge requirements to take the course.Â
More Details
Santa Monica College offers these community education courses in Los Angeles or online via Zoom. If students want to attend the course in-person, they must provide a valid California address or phone number. One student stated that they "loved this class!" while another stated that the course "felt a bit more like marketing for the person teaching the course than a real investment course." Depending on what you want to get out of the course, these reviews may be helpful to you.Â
#10:Noble Desktop—FinTech Bootcamp (Live Online)
The FinTech Bootcamp offered by Noble Desktop is an intensive program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of programming and data analysis to prepare for careers as Financial Analysts, Data Scientists, or other financial roles. Students will explore coding languages and tools commonly used in FinTech such as Python and SQL. They will create dashboards in Python and various other data visualizations. Students will use machine learning to build statistical models. Finally, students will explore Python's advanced libraries specifically geared toward financial analysis.
Key Information
The tuition for the FinTech bootcamp is $4995. Students can pay the tuition upfront before the beginning of the program, or they can opt for one of the various payment options Noble provides. Students can pay in installments, with 12-month financing, or with a corporate invoice. The course itself will take place over four weeks for full-time students. Part-time students will complete the program in 4 months. The course is open to beginners, although Noble does recommend that students be familiar with financial concepts, including NPV, IRR, financial statements, and stock fundamentals. If students do not have this prior knowledge, they can receive a free on-demand supplemental guide.Â
More Details
Noble offers even more benefits to students enrolling in more intensive courses. As this bootcamp is designed to set students up to enter a new career, students will receive six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions to help with difficult concepts, portfolio reviews, and polishing resumes. Students can retake the course for free up to one year after completion. Students who complete the course will receive a certificate. Before the class begins, Noble will assist students with any setup they need for the course. Every course at Noble is small to allow the instructor to help each student individually. Jared D. said, "The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and very helpful. They also gave us a tone of materials and resources to look at the outside of the course to go back and review". Each student receives a workbook and can access the class recordings for the class to look back upon.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Different Types of Online Finance Classes?
When looking for financial classes, you may realize you have several options. The majority of courses will be live online classes. Live virtual classes provide students the most interactivity from all online class options. They will work closely with peers and the instructor as they follow along in real-time. Live online classes provide students a classic learning structure without being inside a classroom. Students can attend the course wherever they are most comfortable.Â
On-demand class is another popular option. On-demand courses provide students with pre-recorded videos. Students can watch these videos whenever or wherever they want. This type of class provides students with convenience. Students can work on the course when they have the time, even if it is just a few minutes a day. They can also rewatch the videos as often as they would like until they grasp the concepts. There is no holding back the rest of the class if you don't understand something. However, with these classes, you lack interactivity. If you have questions, you have to find the answer yourself. Some platforms will allow you to email the professor; however, that is not always reliable.Â
 If you aren't sure if finance is the direction you want to go, you can find some shorter seminars. Seminars give you a short introduction to finance. Most of these will either have a small fee or be free. You can watch these on your own time, like on-demand; however, they are very introductory and will not prepare you for a new career.
What Will I Need for an Online Finance Class?
In preparation for a finance course, having the right tools and resources is important. To succeed in a finance class, you may need to have the following items:
- Computer and internet Access: Most finance classes, especially online ones, require access to a computer or laptop and a reliable internet connection. Ensure your computer meets the necessary technical requirements and you have access to online learning platforms or software used in the class.
- Spreadsheet Software: Proficiency in spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets is often essential in finance. Familiarize yourself with basic spreadsheet functions and formulas frequently used for financial calculations, data analysis, and financial modeling.
- Financial Databases and Software: Depending on the course and level of study, you might need access to financial databases or specialized software.
Read the specific requirements and recommendations your instructor or institution provided, as they may have additional suggestions or prerequisites. To remain organized, engage effectively with the material, and maximize your learning experience, you must be prepared with the necessary resources.
Can I Learn Finance Online for Free?
Yes, you can learn finance online for free. As with any skill, various resources are available online for students to start learning finance for free. You can find various YouTube videos, blogs, or podcasts that will dive into various financial topics. Learning finance for free can lengthen the time it takes to become proficient. If you want to enter into a financial career, you can start by learning the fundamentals for free; however, you will want to enroll in a course to learn all the complicated aspects of finance. Enrolling in a course can get you into a new career in months instead of the years it would take to teach yourself for free.
Is It Better to Learn Finance in a Live or Self-paced Class?
Choosing between a live or self-paced class will depend on each student. You must consider several aspects before choosing which way to go, including learning style, schedule, and preference. If you want a more traditional learning experience, you may opt for live classes; from there, you must decide whether to attend the class in-person or online. You will need to ensure that your schedule will allow you to set aside time to attend the class. If you have a more rigid schedule and can't make time for a scheduled class, you may opt for a self-paced course that you can work on when you have free time. Not every class will work for every person.