Accounting & Finance - MSc

MSc Accounting & Finance provides you with a solid understanding of accounting and finance principles. By studying this programme you will be prepared for a career in accounting, finance or as a senior business manager.

This programme is a great step for those who have not previously specialised in accounting and finance but now wish to do so. Our students come from a wide range of educational backgrounds, including both business and non-business specialisms.

You will gain a clear understanding of the joint role of accounting and finance in ensuring successful operations in a range of business settings. This includes public and private sector organisations, both financial and non-financial.

Already specialised in accounting and finance or a related subject at undergraduate level? Take a look at our MSc international Accounting and Finance programme, designed to develop your pre-existing accounting and finance knowledge within an international context.

Professional exemptions
Successful completion of this programme leads to exemptions from the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). You will still need to secure professional training and complete further exams in order to become fully qualified in accountancy, but these exemptions can demonstrate to future employers your commitment and potential to complete sector qualifications.

Subject guide and modules

Core Modules
-Management Accounting
-Strategic Management Accounting
-Business Finance
-International Finance
-Financial Analysis
-Sustainability Accounting & Accountability
-Financial Accounting & Reporting
-Corporate Governance Regulation and Compliance
-Professional Development Programme
-Ethics in Academic Practice

The programme concludes with a financial reporting project to be completed during the summer.

Learning, teaching and assessment

You will be assessed through a mixture of examinations and coursework. The taught element of the programme is then complemented by a substantial piece of research leading to the completion of a financial reporting project.

Personal development
You will acquire skills in the following areas: giving presentations; team working; report writing; negotiation and IT skills. Modules taught on this MSc will enable you to develop a wide range of technical and transferable skills and knowledge highly relevant to a wide range of graduate careers where analytical, decision-making, problem-solving and planning are required. These include:
-Evaluating and reporting on organisations’ financial performance
-Measuring costs, financial planning, forecasting and decision-making
-Assessing economic policy
-Interpreting accounting information using financial tools including balance sheets, profit and loss accounts and cash flow statements
-Ratio analysis and shareholding value reporting
-Multi-cultural teamwork and presentation skills developed through group-work
-Analytical skills developed through financial reporting project

Professional accreditation

Several modules are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and/ or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Career opportunities

This programme will develop your expertise in both accounting and finance, while allowing you to gain the necessary skills for senior management roles in those areas.
Recent graduate positions include:
-Accountant – Ernst & Young (China)
-Commodities Analyst – Deutsche Bank (London)
-Regulatory Reporting Analyst – UBS Bank (USA)
-Risk Consultant – KPMG (Russia and CIS)
-Tax Associate - PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK).

Our international alumni ambassadors share their experiences of studying at Aston Business School with students all over the world who consider applying for a course at Aston.