Accounting and Finance Courses in the UK

Accounting and Finance course teaches students to flex their mathematical muscles whilst applying technical knowledge to various business situations. Keen to pursue a course in Accounting and Finance? Read on to find out more about why to study this program in the UK and what career options await you.

Introduction to Accounting and Finance in the UK

If you wish to pursue a career in accounting and finance, then the UK has some of the best courses and job opportunities in this field. Accountancy and finance offer highly paid positions in the UK. In recent years, chartered accountancy in particular has been one of the most sought after careers.

A course in Accounting and Finance will help you build up your knowledge and excellence in economics, mathematics, interpretation of financial information and more. You will learn how to interpret finance details and also get a better perspective of financial and accounting practice. These programs are designed to give you an understanding in the principles of accounting and finance.  If  you are aspiring to pursue a career in accountancy or if you are already professionally qualified and would like to upgrade your skills, then a degree is the right step to further your career in this field. Moreover, studying in the UK will bring on some added benefits of amazing work opportunities in this field.

Why Choose Accounting and Finance in the UK?

Accounting and Finance programmes in the United Kingdom prepare youngsters for careers across a variety of business sectors. You become adept at a wide range of fields such as corporate finance, risk management, investment, management accounting, financial risk assessment and even auditing. It also helps you further your career in other business areas such as operations and even people management.

What will you learn on an Accounting and Finance course?

Most Accounting and Finance programs are designed for students who have a keen interest in finance, analysis and management topics in general. These courses are tailored to the needs of the current economy, market opportunity and business environment. Depending on the program and University you choose, the course elements may vary. However most programs are designed to cover topics such as asset pricing, corporate finance, quantitative methods, finance reporting, financial analysis, empirical finance to name a few. To develop your skills further in areas of your interest you can choose one of the optional units which may range from financial modelling to banking, derivatives, investment management, behavioural finance, advanced corporate finance and credit risk. The course helps you to read and understand financial statements, evaluate business performance,  asset management, leverage management, tax management and cost management. In addition to this, you will learn to question and analyse information, develop critical arguments, improve your analytical skills, enhance communication skills – all of these are of great value in any management role.

Some postgraduate programs in Accounting and Finance develop your skills in specialised fields of the finance industry, for instance MSc in actuarial science. You can also consider pursuing a PhD in specific fields, such as trade statistics or even banking.

Career options within Accounting and Finance

Nearly a quarter of Accountancy and Financing graduates are employed as chartered and certified accountants. Among the common occupations are finance and investment analysts and advisers.

Students who graduate in Accounting and Finance have a wide spectrum of job options. Popular career options in this field include banking, financial advisor, finance trader, chartered accountancy, insurance, investment, tax, financial auditor.

You will have a broad range of opportunities on completing a degree in accounting and finance. Moreover you can choose an industry or sector of your interest to complement your knowledge in this field. Most students opt for accountancy firms, while a number of others are attracted to the high flying jobs in banks. Insurance companies are also a growing trend and if this is an area you are interested you can opt for the numerous insurance brokering jobs available in the market. Alternatively you can also choose to work for consultancies, accounting firms and large corporations. For the more enterprising ones, you can open up your own consulting or accounting firm as well.

Job options

Here is a list of some of the most sought after jobs by students who have pursued a course in Accounting and Finance.

• Chartered accountant
• Chartered certified accountant
• Chartered management accountant
• Chartered public finance accountant
• Company secretary
• External auditor
• Forensic accountant
• Stockbroker
• Actuary
• Arbitrator
• Business development manager
• Data analyst
• Economist
• Licensed conveyancer
• Management consultant
• Mortgage adviser
• Purchasing manager
• Retail banker
• Tax adviser

Employers

Opportunities are available across a wide spectrum:

• accountancy firms
• building societies
• high street banks
• insurance companies
• investment banks
• management consultancies
• public sector employers.