Accounting and finance degree

Both accounting and finance are right at the heart of the business decision-making process, its a fast-
paced, dynamic subject that requires students to be adaptable, flexible and intelligent. In todays
world there is much more to it than just spreadsheets and calculators, these days accounting and
finance graduates need to have technical expertise, be excellent communicators and have good IT
skills. All of these are abilities which have been identified in research with employers as critical for
accounting professionals.

This popular degree has a career-orientated focus, and will help you develop a good mix of subject-
specific, technical and more general transferable skills. In a student it will develop practical
accountancy and finance skills for both a UK and international context, and will help to build real
business knowledge and personal transferable skills. It will equip you with the broad based
competencies required for a career in the accounting and finance world. Students will develop the
expertise required to make sound judgements for financial measurement and presentation, together
with gaining an understanding of the legal framework regulating operational practice.

Most degree courses are accredited by the following major accounting bodies: ACCA, CIOT, CIMA
and ICAEW. Depending on the options taken, some can offer students partial professional
qualification exemption. These accreditations or exemptions are dependent on the units that
students choose to take. For more information on this point you should contact the course academic
team, who will be able to give you guidance on the best units to choose to suit and support your
career aspirations.

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE PERSONAL STATEMENT
Below is an accounting and finance personal statement written by one of our writers. You can use
this example to gain an idea of how to structure and put together your own one. You are strongly
advised not to copy or plagiarise it, instead use it as a resource to inspire your own creative writing.

Accounting and finance personal statement example 1

"The world of finance and investment banking attracts many top graduates. For many people this
degree can lead to a stimulating and rewarding career that is associated with very high salaries,
glamorous lifestyles and stable long term careers. For me personally one of the biggest attractions to
this subject is the bewildering array of career opportunities it offers to suit all interests including;
auditing work, management consulting, corporate finance, IT consulting, tax planning, human
resources and insolvency.

As a person who likes to be in charge, have responsibility and be accountable, I see myself in the
future as potentially running my own business or being in a management role. After studying
accountancy for the first time at college, I discovered that it was the language of business, primarily
because its sole purpose was to communicate information to decision makers. As I want to be a
future business decision maker, I have decided that this is the subject I need to learn, as it will show
me how to get valuable information, teach me what it means and also train me in how to use it to
make better decisions.

At some stage, all organisations have to present their performance in the form of financial
statements. Accounting and finance professionals have to present and interpret such statements to
verify and monitor the health of the company behind them. It is this particular aspect that has
always appealed to me, I am keen to learn about the financial and accounting decisions that
businesses and organisations need to make to be profitable and survive. Another major reason that
attracts me to this course is that it is the first step towards possibly running my own business in the
future. I have always wanted to be my own boss, and after graduating, and then working in the
industry I eventually want to be able to progress to launching my own business in the financial
services industry. In my view if you want to make money, to manage money or just to be the master
of your own finances, then this degree course is for you.

I consider myself a well-rounded individual, who is equipped with the core skills that are needed to
thrive in the modern business environment. I have a drive, motivation and a never give up attitude
that helps me to overcome problems and issues that seem insurmountable. I am fully up to date
with new developments and change in the national and international business world, particularly in
key areas such as taxation, regulatory and institutional issues.

I studied accountancy at college and learnt a great deal about the specific rules and practices of
accounting in areas such as auditing, as well as looking in greater depth at management accounting
and its relationship to broader aspects of leadership. I came to realise the importance of control,
validation and the accuracy of accounting records, and was learnt how to prepare financial
statements for organisations as well as how to apply accounting principles and concepts to the
preparation of accounts. Through my college education I have built up a comprehensive
understanding of concepts such as good corporate governance, investments, valuation theory, asset
pricing, market micro-structure, capital structure and dividend policy, risk-hedging and liquidity
management.

Over the summer months to earn extra money and also gain relevant work experience, I took a
temporary job as a Financial Accounts assistant. Working as part of a team I was involved in the
reconciliation of balance sheets, invoice processing, completing monthly VAT, income tax and
National Insurance returns and also general cashier duties. The duties I performed were highly
valued and impacted visibly on the business and people within it. I didnt just process numbers but
was involved in collecting and organising vital information for senior managers.

I am applying to your university because I feel it has a strong international focus, and a developed
global perspective to business. Your institution is highly respected, and the accounting and finance
degree courses you run are entirely relevant to todays business world. It is important to me that
future potential employers know that I have a studied a rigorous degree at a renowned university
like yours. In a nutshell I feel that I am suitable for your course because I have a good head for
numbers, am commercially aware and have a strong desire to enter this profession."