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Although they cross over, accounting, business and finance are three very different subjects. Accounting involves the broader analysis of a business’s financial situation, while finance focuses on fund management. A business course will introduce you to all of the elements needed to run a business, which – while touching on accounting and finance – will also include things like marketing and economics.
What do you need to get on an accounting, business & finance degree?
Average entry requirements for accounting, business & finance are:
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UCAS points: 144–96
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A-levels: AAA – CCC
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BTEC Nationals: DDD – MMP
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International Baccalaureate: 38–26
Most accounting courses will also ask for an A-level (or equivalent) in maths.
What accounting, business & finance derees can you study?
Degrees in accounting, business & finance include:
- BA Hons Accounting
- BA Hons Business Studies
- BA Hons Finance
- BA Hons Accounting & Finance
Although most unis offer accounting, business and finance as separate degrees, plenty will also offer the option of a joint honours degrees in this subject area. If you’re finding it hard to narrow your choice to just one area, this could be a good option to consider.
“I liked the idea of doing a joint honours degree because adding the finance part gave me an opportunity to learn how to analyse data effectively and gave me a broader commercial awareness.” – Lauren, BA Accountancy and Finance student at Birmingham City University
Learn about the different types of undergraduate courses.
What topics does an accounting, business & finance degree cover?
Common modules for accounting, business & finance include:
- Accounting and accountability
- Auditing
- Business law
- Commerce, banking and investment
- Taxation
“My favourite thing about the course is how everything is linked to real world organisations and case studies. This is useful and means the course content will equip me with essential skills and knowledge that I can take with me into the working world.” – Robert, BA (Hons) Business Studies student at Plymouth University
What do you learn studying an accounting, business & finance degree?
Studying an accounting, business & finance degree will help you gain industry-specific skills like:
- Business accountancy
- Using financial information in business decision-making
- Understanding how commerce, industry and finance work
More general, transferable skills you’ll pick up include:
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Decision-making
- Numeracy
- Problem-solving
“The course has allowed me to develop many different transferable skills such as organising, working to deadlines, decision-making, research skills, problem solving, and management and leadership. These were all developed in a variety of ways such as working in groups, undertaking a work placement, joining university societies and clubs, managing my own work and also getting used to living away from home for the first time.” – Robert, BA (Hons) Business Studies student at Plymouth University
What professional accreditations can you get with an accounting, business & finance degree?
Most accounting, business & finance degrees will offer you the opportunity of gaining professional accreditations and part-exemption from professional accounting exams, including those from the:
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS)
What can you do with an accounting, business & finance degree?
As an accounting, business & finance graduate, you should be able to find jobs in a range of industries including banking, insurance, marketing and professional services.
Common roles include:
- Accounting technician
- Actuary
- Chartered accountant
- Data analyst
- Economist
- Forensic accountant
- Investment banker
- Retail banker
- Stockbroker
- Tax adviser
Where to study accounting, business & finance?
Check the latest ranking of unis offering accounting & finance courses by the Complete University Guide.
How long is an accounting, business & finance degree?
A degree in one of these subjects will normally be three years long, although many unis will offer the option of a sandwich year (a year spent working for a company in between your second and final year) or a year abroad, which would extend your course to four years.
How will you be assessed?
Accounting, business & finance courses usually involve assessment through:
- Coursework
- Written exams
- Verbal presentations
- Ongoing assessments like seminar involvement
What are postgraduate opportunities?
Your options for further study include:
- MA Accounting & Finance
- MSc Accounting & Finance
- Pre-Masters Accounting
- PgDip in Business Management & Accounting
What alternatives are there to an accounting, business & finance degree?
Not sure if an accounting, business & finance degree is right for you? Check out these related subjects:
