Accounting and Finance

Accounting and finance are the languages through which organisations communicate their financial health, make investment decisions and are held accountable to their stakeholders. Accounting involves the recording, classification and interpretation of financial information, and provides the foundation for auditing, tax, management reporting and regulatory compliance. Finance extends into the theory and practice of investment, valuation, risk management and capital markets.

Together, they provide a comprehensive preparation for careers across the full range of financial services and business roles.

At the University of Bedfordshire, the four-year programme includes a professional practice year, in which you spend a period working in a relevant role, connecting the academic content of your studies to real organisational environments. This practical experience is highly valued by employers and is one of the most effective ways to build the professional credibility and self-awareness that a career in accounting or finance requires. You will study financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, corporate finance, investment and business law, developing both the technical knowledge and the analytical skills that professional qualifications and employers expect.

The degree provides a strong platform for pursuing professional qualifications with bodies such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, or the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, all of which offer exemptions from some of their examinations to graduates who have covered the relevant content at degree level.

Graduates of accounting and finance programmes work in chartered accountancy firms, commercial banking, investment management, corporate finance, financial reporting, tax consultancy, internal audit and the finance functions of organisations in every sector. Public sector finance roles, including in local government and the NHS, are also significant employers. Postgraduate study in finance, accounting or business administration is a common route for those who want to advance to senior roles.