What qualifications do you need?

Most courses will require an A Level (or equivalent) in Mathematics. Some may ask for a maths- or science-related subject. Entry requirements depend on the institution, and standards are subject to change. So make sure to check with the university/course you're interested in.

What degrees can you study?

Degrees in Accounting & Finance include: BA Hons Accounting BA Hons Finance BA Hons Accounting & Finance Joint degrees commonly couple Accounting & Finance with Economics, Mathematics or Business.

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Study Accounting & Finance, why & how to study

Q: What's Accounting & Finance?

Accounting & Finance involves the concepts of money, business and management, with an emphasis on professional careers in these areas. Accounting relates to information analysis for different aspects of a business, while finance solely concerns a business' monetary funds.

Q: Why study Accounting & Finance?

Studying Accounting & Finance could be ideal for you if you enjoy maths and want to apply it to business, whether that's management, business law or economics.You'll enjoy: Excellent graduate schemes and prospects – studying Accounting & Finance could give you the opportunity to work for an established company with a structured training programme and clear career progression The scope to work in any industry – businesses in every sector need someone to crunch their numbers

Q: What jobs can you get as an Accounting & Finance graduate?

Roles related to an Accounting & Finance degree include: Accounting technician Chartered accountant Forensic accountant Investment banker Stockbroker Tax adviser Actuary Data analyst Economist Retail banker

Q: How will you be assessed?

You might be assessed through coursework, written examinations, verbal presentations and ongoing assessments such as seminar involvement.

Q: What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Many institutions offer: MA Accounting & Finance MSc Accounting & Finance Pre-Masters Accounting PgDip in Business Management & Accounting

Study Accounting & Finance you can flex your mathematical muscles while applying technical knowledge to business situations.

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Tamsin Mosse 05 Aug 2022

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What’s Accounting & Finance?
What Accounting & Finance degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto an Accounting & Finance degree?
What topics does an Accounting & Finance degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study Accounting & Finance?
What do Accounting & Finance graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as an Accounting & Finance graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to Accounting & Finance
Have any questions?

What’s Accounting & Finance?

Accounting & Finance involves looking at money, business and management. Accounting relates to information analysis for different aspects of a company, while finance solely concerns an organisations’ monetary funds.

What Accounting & Finance degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Accounting & Finance include single and joint honours degrees, often in combination with economics, business and languages:

Degrees may have an integrated foundation year or master’s or offer accelerated study. Options include a professional practice year or study abroad. January start dates available.

What do you need to get onto an Accounting & Finance degree?

Must have

Typically, entry to an undergraduate Accounting & Finance degree requires between 96–160 UCAS points. Qualifications could include:

A Levels: A*AA–CCD
BTECs: DDD–MMP
Scottish Highers: AAABB–BBBB (Advanced Highers: AAA–BBB)
International Baccalaureate: 37–28
Universities usually ask for a good understanding of Maths or a related subject at A Level standard or similar and certainly at GCSE level

Good to have

Work experience somewhere like an accountancy practice or bank or shadowing a financial advisor
Sharpen your Maths skills through competitions, online courses or problem challenge sites

Knowledge of topical issues from media such as BBC business news, the Guardian, Financial Times or The Economist
Checking professional body websites for educational or career resources, such as the Maths Careers website sponsored by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA)
If eligible, go to STEM summer schools run by the Sutton Trust or UNIQ

What topics does an Accounting & Finance degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

Actuarial insurance
Contemporary issues in accounting
Credit and financial analytics
Ethics in finance and accounting
Financial mathematics for actuarial science
Introduction to corporate and business law
Management accounting
Mathematics and statistics for economics and business
Micro and macroeconomics for accounting
Taxation

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following, and will vary from module to module:

Coursework
Exams
Group assignments
Presentations

Why study Accounting & Finance?

Career-specific skills:

Knowledge of accounting and financial theories and practices, such as strategic investment, taxation, pensions, reporting standards
Competences could include auditing, financial accounting, management accounting, preparing financial statements
Skills with industry-standard IT such as Bloomberg terminals or accounting software

Transferable skills:

Communication (written and oral)
Critical and analytical thinking
Data analysis
Decision making
Problem solving
Project management
Research
Team working

Professional accreditation and organisations:

Degrees with accounting may be accredited by a wide range of professional accountancy bodies, like the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)and more, offering exemption from some of the required professional accounting exams
Degrees in other financial areas may offer accreditation by Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT), Chartered Banker Institute (CBI), CFA Institute, Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) or Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)

Degrees with maths or statistics may offer accreditation from the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) or Royal Statistical Society (RSS)

Read more in our seven reasons to study Accounting and Finance here.

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying Accounting and Finance?

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants to encourage diversity so it’s worth seeing if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers e.g., materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

What do Accounting & Finance graduates earn?

Starting salaries for an Accounting & Finance graduate range from £19,000–£25,000. If you join HMRC’s graduate tax programme, you could be paid £33,000–£35,000 while you train.

Read more on what graduates do and earn here.

What jobs can you get as an Accounting & Finance graduate?

Jobs for Accounting & Finance graduates can often be found in big, multinational professional services firms, banks or insurance companies. Roles could include:

Accounting technician
Actuary
Auditor
Chartered accountant
Commercial analyst
Compliance manager
Credit controller
Data analyst
Finance manager
Forensic accountant
Investment banker
Production Accountant
Retail banker
Stockbroker
Tax adviser

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of postgraduate degrees include:

Accounting MSc
Banking and Digital Finance MSc
Corporate Finance MSc
Financial Strategy PGDip
Law and Finance MSc

Similar subjects to Accounting & Finance

If you’re into figures or business-related topics, you could also consider:

Have any questions?

If you have questions about studying Accounting & Finance, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!