Accounting and Finance

Key features of the course

• Comprehensive coverage of the theoretical and practical aspects of financial accounting, management accounting and financial management.
• Covers specialist topics such as auditing and governance, taxation and financial reporting.
• Develops your ability to apply and evaluate accounting and financial information.
• Offers exemptions from some Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) professional examinations.

We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Accounting and Finance (W18) that is the same in structure as the first two-thirds of this degree.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

However, a basic understanding of mathematical operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division would be helpful.

Skills for career development

The ability to analyse, report and manage financial information is a much sought-after skill in organisations. By completing this degree you’ll be equipped with transferrable skills and knowledge that can be applied in many areas of an organisation. Here are some of the skills which this degree will help you acquire.

• Understanding the contexts within which an accounting and finance professional operates including wider organisational, ethical and governance issues
• Understanding, applying and assessing a range of qualitative and quantitative concepts, methods, tools and techniques
• Interpreting financial and accounting information.
• Communicating and presenting accounting and finance information clearly and succinctly.
• Constructing logical and coherent arguments and applying critical thinking.

Career relevance

The skills and knowledge you’ll develop by studying this degree will equip you to follow a number of career paths, and are recognised by employers as having great value for work in accounting, finance and business management areas. A qualification in accounting and finance can lead to opportunities in a wide range of areas such as auditing, taxation, management and financial reporting. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree such as becoming a Chartered Accountant or a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Accreditation

After successfully completing this degree, you’ll be eligible for exemptions from the following Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) professional examinations.

At Certificate level:

• Fundamentals of Business Economics (BA1)
• Fundamentals of Management Accounting (BA2)
• Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (BA3)
• Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law (BA4)

At Operational level:

• Managing Finance in a Digital World (E1)
• Management Accounting (P1)
• Financial Reporting (F1)
• Operational Case Study Exam

The Open University Business School is one of the few institutions worldwide that are triple-accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), and Association of MBAs (AMBA). These are internationally recognised quality standards which independently validate the quality of the School’s teaching, research and operations. The School undergoes regular reviews to ensure that standards are maintained and has successfully retained its triple accredited status since 2004. This qualification is accredited through inclusion in these reviews.

Other careers

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, accounting, finance, management consultancy and the public sector.

Exploring your options

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

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