Accounting and Finance

Accounting and finance is the study of how organisations record, report, and manage their financial position, and how decisions about investment, capital, and risk are made in the context of financial markets. Accounting provides the systematic frameworks for measuring and communicating financial performance, while finance extends this into the analysis of how resources are allocated across time, how assets are valued, and how financial risk is managed. Together they provide a comprehensive education in the financial dimensions of organisational and economic life, and a strong foundation for professional careers in both fields.

At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year full-time programme takes you through financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, financial markets, investment analysis, and the quantitative methods that underpin contemporary accounting and finance practice. You will also engage with auditing, taxation, and the legal and regulatory frameworks within which accounting operates. A year abroad is incorporated into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study at a leading international university and develop a comparative understanding of accounting and financial systems in different national contexts.

Edinburgh's research strengths in accounting and finance are reflected in the depth and currency of the teaching.

Graduates from accounting and finance at Edinburgh are well placed for careers in chartered accountancy, management accounting, investment management, banking, financial analysis, and consulting. Many go on to professional qualifications with bodies such as the ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, or CFA Institute, for which a strong undergraduate grounding in both accounting and finance is valuable. The international exposure from the year abroad is an additional asset for graduates seeking careers in global financial services or multinational organisations.

Further study at postgraduate level is also well supported.