Okay, so if you’re a finance student like me, you’ve probably heard this a lot, “Get certified, it’ll help your resume.” But nobody tells you which certifications help, especially when you’re broke and just want something that won’t cost a kidney.
So, after spending quite some time digging around, trying a few things, and wasting time on some “meh” courses, I finally found five genuinely useful and free certifications that are perfect for finance students out there. Here’s what I found, how I felt about them, and who I think they’re best for.
Business Finance Foundations – Great Learning
This one’s kinda like a warm-up if you’re just getting started in finance. It’s super beginner-friendly, and the instructor does a great job breaking down concepts like income statements, balance sheets, and how businesses manage money. Honestly, I wish I had taken this in my first year.
What I liked most? The examples used were convenient. They talk about how companies make decisions, not just boring textbook theory. It felt more like a real-world intro class than just another online course.
The course is around 1.5 hours, and yeah, it’s short — but that’s the good part. You don’t feel overwhelmed. You finish it in a single sitting with a cup of chai and feel productive after.
If you’re just entering the world of finance, this is the perfect first step. It kinda sets the foundation for the rest of the stuff on this list.
Asset Management – Great Learning
Now this one felt a bit underrated, to be honest. Everyone talks about stock markets and investing, but very few courses explain asset management in such a clean and easy way.
They walk you through the idea of managing a portfolio, not just in theory, but in a way that makes sense for everyday people. They touch on mutual funds, risk management, and how big firms deal with assets.
I didn’t expect to like this course as much as I did. It’s short (under 2 hours), but it’s packed. I had to pause and rewatch a few things because they were genuinely insightful. Especially if you’re interested in investment banking or private wealth management later on, this one is worth it.
Plus, you get a free certificate without any annoying quizzes or paywalls. So yeah, a hidden gem if you ask me.
Personal Budgeting using Microsoft Excel – Great Learning
Okay, this one is honestly for life. I don’t care if you’re into finance or not — everyone should take this course. It’s about personal budgeting using Excel, and the best part is, you don’t need to be an Excel genius to follow along.
They teach you how to actually track your income, expenses, savings goals, etc. I started using some of their tricks in my budget — and I’ve stopped going broke by the 25th of every month (well, kinda).
The instructor is super chill and explains everything in baby steps. If you’re someone who wants to get better with your own money AND learn Excel basics along the way, you’ll love this.
Also, if you’re aiming for roles like analyst or accounts assistant later on, this course shows you know your way around spreadsheets, which is a big plus.
Finance & Accounting Specialization – Coursera
So, this one’s a bit more serious. It’s not just one course — it’s a full specialization series by the University of Illinois. Yeah, it’s legit.
You learn a bunch of stuff — from financial accounting to corporate finance and even how to read financial statements like a pro. I’ll be honest, some parts of it felt heavy, especially if you’re new. But if you’re someone who already has a little background or is in their 2nd or 3rd year, this can be your game-changer.
The course structure is smooth, and you can audit it for free (just don’t click the paid certificate option). I didn’t complete all of it — I mainly focused on 2–3 sections that felt relevant to me, and even that helped me big time in interviews.
If you want something with real academic depth, this one should be on your list. Not fast and fun, but definitely worth the time.
Tally Bookkeeper Professional Certificate – Coursera
Now this is what I call skill with real-world application. Tally is still used by thousands of companies in India, especially in small businesses. And if you’ve ever opened a job portal, you’ll see “Tally knowledge preferred” in a lot of finance job descriptions.
This course is by Tally itself, in collaboration with Coursera. It covers bookkeeping, inventory management, and GST concepts — all while teaching you the Tally software hands-on.
I didn’t think I’d like it, but once I got into it, I could see how practical it is. You won’t get bored because it’s interactive and has real tasks you can try out on the software (you can install the Tally Education version for practice).
If you’re looking for job-ready skills, especially for accounting roles, this one gives you a real edge. And again, free if you audit — just skip the payment screen.
Final Thoughts
So yeah, these were the five free courses that made sense to me. Not all certifications are created equal, and honestly, I’ve seen way too many “free” ones that teach you nothing and just look good on LinkedIn.
