Understanding Debits and Credits

Course code LERN 1700

Credit 0.0

Length 16.0 hours

Course outline View

In this course, you will learn about the accounting equation and the five categories involved in every business (Assets, Liabilities, Owner’s Equity, Revenue and Expenses). Every financial transaction falls into one or more of these categories. Learn how to create a chart of accounts that meet the needs of your business. You will learn how double entry bookkeeping works and the process of recording debits and credits. This course will show you how to identify, analyze and record transactions using journal entries under the cash basis accounting method.
This course is offered in partnership with Learning Education Resource Network - UGotClass. For more information see http://yougotclass.org/index.cfm/VCC

Prerequisites

Missing prerequisites?

Learn more about VCC's academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

What you will learn

  • The Accounting Equation and Categories
    The Accounting Equation
    The Five Accounting Categories
    The Chart of Accounts
    Account Placement
    Activity ~ Categorizing Accounts
    Cash Basis Accounting vs. Accrual Basis Accounting
  • Debits and Credits
    T-Accounts
    Debits and Credits
    Double Entry Bookkeeping
    Analyze Financial Activities (Transactions)
  • Assets, Liabilities, and Owner’s Equity
    Recording Transactions for Assets
    Recording Transactions for Liabilities
    Recording Transactions for Owner’s Equity
  • Revenue and Expenses
    Recording Transactions for Revenue
    Recording Transactions for Expenses
    Activity ~ Recording Transactions

How to register

This course is offered as part of a VCC program only.

Course schedules

Select your program to see the available course schedules.

CRN# Duration Delivery Location
22561 April 6, 2026
to May 1, 2026
Online See full schedule

Online courses listed without scheduled meeting times can be completed on your own schedule.

CRN# Duration Delivery Location
22562 June 1, 2026
to June 26, 2026
Online See full schedule

Online courses listed without scheduled meeting times can be completed on your own schedule.

Contact us

If you have any question, please email at advising@vcc.ca.

† This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, and we acknowledge our privilege to be here.