Penn Foster Bookkeeping Career Diploma review

Penn Foster's Bookkeeping Career Diploma is the most school-like option on this list. Penn Foster College describes it as accredited, online and self-paced, with 8 courses worth 29.1 continuing education units, 14 exams and 3 submitted projects. Courses run from assets, liabilities and owner's equity through payroll and wholesale accounting, QuickBooks and Excel for bookkeeping, ending in a final project on business ownership. Enrolled students receive a one-year subscription to QuickBooks Online, which is useful for practice after the course too. Penn Foster estimates 6 months on the fast track and 12 months on average. In November 2026 the program cost $839 paid in full on a $200 offer ending 11/30/2026, or $1,039 on a monthly auto pay plan at $59 a month with $20 down. It costs several times more than Coursera, and the result is a diploma rather than a tested national credential.

Who it is for

career changers who want a diploma

Price

$839 paid in full on an offer ending 11/30/2026 (regular $1,039); or $1,039 at $59 a month with $20 down.

$839 $1,039 Save $200
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• 8 courses, 29.1 continuing education units, 14 exams and 3 submitted projects
• Courses include Payroll and Wholesale Accounting, QuickBooks and Excel for Bookkeeping
• One-year QuickBooks Online subscription for enrolled students
• Fast track of 6 months, average of 12 months
• Final project involving business ownership

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Graded exams and projects, not just videos
• Strength: Monthly plan starts at $20 down and $59 a month
• Strength: Teaches Excel alongside QuickBooks Online Plus
• Weakness: Costs $839 even on the November 2026 offer
• Weakness: Course materials are geared to US job and labor standards
• Weakness: The diploma is not a national bookkeeper license such as CPB or CB

Key facts

• Pay in full: $839 (offer to 11/30/2026), $1,039 regular
• Monthly plan: $59 a month, $20 down, $1,039 total
• Curriculum: 8 courses, 14 exams, 3 projects
• CEUs: 29.1
• Completion time: 6 months fast track, 12 months average

Where it ranks

Penn Foster Bookkeeping Career Diploma is No. 3 in our Best Online Bookkeeping Courses verdict.