Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons)

Course overview

Sound financial knowledge and accountancy skills are needed so businesses can make the right decisions, develop the right strategies and achieve growth, while also considering issues of ethics and sustainability. Many management roles require an understanding of budgeting and financial administration, to ensure the business remains on track and meets its targets.

The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.

Why you should study this course

By studying this course, you will have the opportunity to:

• Tailor your study to your chosen career path
  This course allows you to broaden your knowledge and skills or focus on specialisation as you see fit. You will first study a wide range of subjects laying a solid foundation for a career in accounting, finance or financial management. In the final year, you will have the opportunity to select from a range of optional modules to focus on a particular area of interest.
• Prepare for professional qualifications²
  Our degree is closely aligned to the syllabi of professional accountancy bodies including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
• Put your skills to the test
  Prepare and analyse financial statements, as well as studying the impact of finance on real businesses through case studies of a diverse range of organisations.
• Develop practical skills in our Bloomberg Trading Floor⁴
  Develop your skills in our Trading Floor⁴, which is currently one of the largest academic trading floors in Europe, featuring contemporary Bloomberg terminals.
• Benefit from real-world exposure
  Prepare for a future career in accounting and finance with a work placement². Past students have undertaken placements with L'Oreal, Vauxhall Motors, and Digitus Accountancy Limited.

If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

• explore and evaluate the complex and dynamic global business environment in which accounting and finance operate including awareness of interdependencies between the regulatory, legal, ethical and economic frameworks.
• identify, extract and interpret data from a variety of financial and other numerical sources using appropriate financial analysis techniques and an appreciation of statistical concepts.
• record and summarise transactions and other global economic events, prepare financial statements in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and demonstrate awareness of the contexts in which accounting data and information is processed and used, by different stakeholder groups.
• demonstrate an understanding of the financial needs of business entities, an appreciation of how theory and evidence may be used to guide practice, the workings of capital markets, and the relationships between risk and return.
• critically evaluate a range of contemporary theories, models and concepts in accounting and finance, and synthesise these to devise optimal investment and financial risk management strategies for entities including managing investment portfolios and currency risk.
• apply critical, analytical and problem-solving skills, including critical analysis and evaluation of data, drawing reasoned conclusions to formulate effective strategies for individuals or organisations.
• use digital information and communications technology⁴ for the acquisition, analysis and communication of information.
• effectively communicate and present quantitative and qualitative information, analysis and findings in a form appropriate to the intended audience.
• evidence effective critical self-reflection, ethical awareness, intercultural awareness and well-developed interpersonal skills including numeracy, collaborative problem-solving and effective time management.

You should have the confidence to give sound financial advice and make effective financial decisions. You should be well placed to pursue a wide variety of potential future careers options in areas such as:

• finance
• management
• accounting
• banking
• personal and corporate finance
• business
• education in private, public and third sector organisations.

Alternatively, this course could set you on the path towards further study for a professional qualification as a Chartered Accountant.