An accounting degree or equivalent academic qualification is a requirement for virtually all accountancy jobs. Meaning that any individual interested in a career in this field will need to obtain the necessary accomplishments that will show potential employers their competency in accounting practices, procedures and standards. A short course can help students achieve all of these requirements as well as give them a good, comprehensive and quick understanding of accounting and the commercial world in which it operates.

Short part time, evening or weekend programmes are designed to meet the needs of both students who are seeking a possible career in the financial world and also of companies looking for high calibre business graduates. They will prepare students for employment in a wide variety of accountancy related careers, through a mixture of practical experience, teaching and professional examinations. Upon successfully completing an accounting degree course students will have the professional accreditation, training and ability to go forward with confidence.

Principal Exemptions
Obtaining an accountancy degree also has other advantages, it can mean that the holder is exempt from having to take certain professional accountancy body examinations. These are tests that other graduates from non accountancy degrees who want to become accountants will have to sit. Most accounting courses entitle graduates to important exemptions from the examinations of professional bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland (ICAI), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

If you require more information about this particular issue then you should check with the administration team of any university you are considering enrolling at.

A short accounting course will show students how to

  • Interpret complex financial material.
  • Prepare financial statements.
  • Make decisions in a business environment.
  • Solve accounting problems.
  • Build a rapport with clients.
  • Undergraduates will learn how to:
  • Critically appraise and challenge existing accounting practices.
  • Evaluate live situations and make real-time decisions.

Accounting degree modules and course structure 
Accountancy courses are vocationally focused, with students studying financial management and corporate accounting against a local, national and global business context. Courses offer a mix of theoretical accounting along with financial and general business studies. Teaching and learning are usually undertaken in lectures supported by smaller group seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical sessions. Extensive use is made of information technology and other teaching innovations. Many courses use a combination of formal examinations and coursework assessment, where a students work can be the analysis of topical case studies, written reports or essays and formal presentations.

The range of subjects that can be studied on a short accounting course include;

  • Accounting Practice & Legal Aspects
  • Principles of Accounting
  • Commercial Law for Business
  • Principles of Taxation
  • Financial Management
  • Financial Reporting
  • Auditing
  • Marketing
  • International Finance
  • Public Accounting
  • Double-Entry Bookkeeping
  • Financial Statistics
  • Corporate Accountability
  • Business Economics
  • International Marketing
  • Financial Institutions
  • Company Valuation
  • IT for Business
  • Risk Analysis and Modelling
  • Corporate Law
  • European Business Culture
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Business Strategy
  • Contemporary Corporate Recording
  • Social Accounting
  • Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation
  • Advanced Management Accounting
  • Corporate Financial Strategy
  • Introduction to Economics
  • Fundamentals of Business Mathematics
  • Financial Operations
  • Performance Management
  • Financial Concepts
  • Business Research
  • Enhancing Organisations & Employability
  • Business Ethics
  • Small Organisation Development
  • Managing Entrepreneurship
  • Business Modelling for Decision Making
  • Accounting IT Packages
  • Business Financial Crime
  • Investment Analysis
  • International Accounting

Employability
Quality accounting and finance graduates are in great demand all over the world, with newly qualified students having some of the brightest job prospects in the country. Opportunities in the accounting profession continue to expand as the needs of businesses and firms grow ever more complex and global, and seasoned professionals beginning to retire in unprecedented numbers.

Apart from being an excellent spring board from which to launch a career in the accounting field, a degree can also equip you to embark on a number of careers in various other industries. Meaning that should you ever decide against a professional accounting career then you can be reassured that the financial and business skills you learn as part of your course are highly prized in a variety of other industries. Its one of the few degrees that gives you the education to succeed at just about anything in the business world. By opening up doors in finance, corporate management, government or self employment as a entrepreneur, it really is useful in an entire spectrum of careers. Other reasons why opportunities for employment are increasing;

  • Accounting is a basic tool of business.
  • Increased government regulations.
  • Regular tax law changes.
  • On-going downsizing and restructuring of corporations.

Questions to ask about a course

  • Does the university have any links with the financial industry?
  • Do any employers or professional bodies support the course by sponsoring course prizes for successful students?
  • Are there any work experience placements?

 

Accounting degree links
Accountancy degree (full time)
Accounting and finance degree
Online accounting degree

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