Both accounting and finance are right at the heart of the business decision-making process, its a fast-paced, dynamic subject that requires students to be adaptable, flexible and intelligent. In today’s world there is much more to it than just spreadsheets and calculators, these days accounting and finance graduates need to have technical expertise, be excellent communicators and have good IT skills. All of these are abilities which have been identified in research with employers as critical for accounting professionals.

This popular degree has a career-orientated focus, and will help you develop a good mix of subject-specific, technical and more general transferable skills. In a student it will develop practical accountancy and finance skills for both a UK and international context, and will help to build real business knowledge and personal transferable skills. It will equip you with the broad based competencies required for a career in the accounting and finance world. Students will develop the expertise required to make sound judgements for financial measurement and presentation, together with gaining an understanding of the legal framework regulating operational practice.

Most degree courses are accredited by the following major accounting bodies: ACCA, CIOT, CIMA and ICAEW. Depending on the options taken, some can offer students partial professional qualification exemption. These accreditations or exemptions are dependent on the units that students choose to take. For more information on this point you should contact the course academic team, who will be able to give you guidance on the best units to choose to suit and support your career aspirations.

Accounting and finance degree course overview

Lectures are contemporary and focused, with case studies looking at the published results of real companies, and many courses inviting high profile business guest speakers to share their experiences and insights with students. In addition to the lecture and seminar programme, you will receive regular skills-based and exam question focused support sessions to help you study effectively and to prepare for forthcoming examinations.

Assessment is done by various methods, including group work and reports, oral presentations and computer-based work, as well as academic essays.

Typical course modules and areas of study on a accounting and finance degree 

  • Introduction to accounting
  • Introduction to economics
  • Business management
  • Financial reporting
  • Management Accounting
  • Audit and control
  • Advanced Accounting Theory and Practice
  • Entrepreneurship
  • International finance
  • Company and employment law
  • Strategic management
  • Enterprise
  • International taxation
  • Financial regulation
  • Professional and Financial Skills
  • Statistical Decision Making
  • Financial Strategy
  • Managing Performance
  • Global Finance
  • Principles of banking
  • Elements of the law of contract
  • Microeconomics
  • Strategy
  • The law of business organisation
  • Mathematics and Quantitative Methods for Accounting

Students will learn about

  • The key functional areas in accounting and finance.
  • Business administration.

Students will learn how to

  • Communicate orally and through writing.
  • Produce professional reports and assignments on current business issues.
  • Prepare and present arguments in a structured professional way.
  • identify financial problems early on.

Accounting and finance personal statement

Below is a accounting and finance personal statement written by one of our writers. You can use this example to gain an idea of how to structure and put together your own one. You are strongly advised not to copy or plagiarise it, instead use it as a resource to inspire your own creative writing.

Accounting and finance personal statement example 1

“The world of finance and investment banking attracts many top graduates. For many people this degree can lead to a stimulating and rewarding career that is associated with very high salaries, glamorous lifestyles and stable long term careers. For me personally one of the biggest attractions to this subject is the bewildering array of career opportunities it offers to suit all interests including; auditing work, management consulting, corporate finance, IT consulting, tax planning, human resources and insolvency.

As a person who likes to be in charge, have responsibility and be accountable, I see myself in the future as potentially running my own business or being in a management role. After studying accountancy for the first time at college, I discovered that it was the language of business, primarily because its sole purpose was to communicate information to decision makers. As I want to be a future business decision maker, I have decided that this is the subject I need to learn, as it will show me how to get valuable information, teach me what it means and also train me in how to use it to make better decisions.

At some stage, all organisations have to present their performance in the form of financial statements. Accounting and finance professionals have to present and interpret such statements to verify and monitor the health of the company behind them. It is this particular aspect that has always appealed to me, I am keen to learn about the financial and accounting decisions that businesses and organisations need to make to be profitable and survive. Another major reason that attracts me to this course is that it is the first step towards possibly running my own business in the future. I have always wanted to be my own boss, and after graduating, and then working in the industry I eventually want to be able to progress to launching my own business in the financial services industry. In my view if you want to make money, to manage money or just to be the master of your own finances, then this degree course is for you.

I consider myself a well-rounded individual, who is equipped with the core skills that are needed to thrive in the modern business environment. I have drive, motivation and a ‘never give up’ attitude that helps me to overcome problems and issues that seem insurmountable. I am fully up to date with new developments and change in the national and international business world, particularly in key areas such as taxation, regulatory and institutional issues.

I studied accountancy at college and learnt a great deal about the specific rules and practices of accounting in areas such as auditing, as well as looking in greater depth at management accounting and its relationship to broader aspects of leadership. I came to realise the importance of control, validation and the accuracy of accounting records, and was learnt how to prepare financial statements for organisations as well as how to apply accounting principles and concepts to the preparation of accounts. Through my college education I have built up a comprehensive understanding of concepts such as good corporate governance, investments, valuation theory, asset pricing, market micro-structure, capital structure and dividend policy, risk-hedging and liquidity management.

Over the summer months to earn extra money and also gain relevant work experience, I took a temporary job as a Financial Accounts assistant. Working as part of a team I was involved in the reconciliation of balance sheets, invoice processing, completing monthly VAT, income tax and National Insurance returns and also general cashier duties. The duties I performed were highly valued and impacted visibly on the business and people within it. I didn’t just process numbers but was involved in collecting and organising vital information for senior managers.

I am applying to your university because I feel it has a strong international focus, and a developed global perspective to business. Your institution is highly respected, and the accounting and finance  degree courses you run are entirely relevant to today’s business world. It is important to me that future potential employers know that I have a studied a rigorous degree at a renowned university like yours. In a nutshell I feel that I am suitable for your course because I have a good head for numbers, am commercially aware and have a strong desire to enter this profession.”

 

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