Finance and accounting course guide

What does finance and accounting course cover?

Finance and accounting course gives students the combination of the technical and background knowledge and skills that they will need as the basis of careers either in professions such as accountancy or in the wider commercial sector.

Although accounting in particular is seen as emphasising computational and calculation skills, the modern academic subject of finance and accounting is far broader.

Near the start of their courses, students are likely to encounter modules introducing them to accounting, to statistical and mathematical methods, and to macro and microeconomics. Information technology skills also tend to be emphasised.

As the courses go on, a range of other modules are made available, including ones on taxation, audit, business strategy, business and employment law, management accounting, advanced accounting theory and risk management. Further optional modules range from behavioural economics to international taxation practice.

Students usually have the chance to complete a major research project towards the end of their courses, while many degrees allow you to spend sometime on industrial training, which many students find useful both in building knowledge, skills and developing employment contacts.

Finance and accounting degrees often come with an endorsement from the major professional bodies for accountants, such as the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. This means that graduates can be exempted from having to take certain papers within the exams these organisations set for people wanting to go on to become chartered accountants, depending on the topics they studied during the degree course.

Essential A-levels subjects needed for finance and accounting course?

Finance and accounting courses normally require economics and students who did maths will be at a higher advantage of being admitted.

Cut off points?

The cut off points vary from institution to institution.

Career prospects

Graduates of finance and accounting course can join one of the “big four” accountancy firms where they can complete professional accountancy training.

Others can become managing consultants, risk managers and auditors besides creating their own businesses and management, banking or local and national government.

Institutions that teach finance and accounting.

Nkumba, Kyambogo, Makerere university Business school, are some of the universities that teach courses in finance and accounting at diploma,degree and masters levels. There are also other institutions like MBI,