Course description
Our specialist MSc Accounting course will boost your career prospects by developing an advanced knowledge of accounting theory and practice, and prepare for a leading role in the accountancy profession.
- develop an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of accounting as well as your critical thinking.
- introduction to different aspects of accounting research, and guidance in conducting the research.
- advance your thinking and debate in contemporary issues in financial reporting, management account, auditing and governance.
- Develop skills that are valued by employers, or prepare for a research career in academia.
- Benefit from our accounting academics' close connection with the accountancy profession.
CFA training
We have teamed up with Kaplan Schweser to facilitate student preparation for the CFA exams.
- MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting and Finance , MSc Finance and MSc Quantitative Finance course students who perform well in Semester one and show a strong interest in CFA will get free access to Kaplan's online training materials for CFA Part One.
- Gain student support from Kaplan with access to tuition material, online question banks and progress tests, and mock exam runs. Plus tutor support and 1-2-1 sessions.
- The CFA Program builds a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills.
- Take the first step to earning the Chartered Financial Analyst ® (CFA) credential to prepare for the Level I exam
- The CFA is the most respected and recognised investment designation in the world.
CIMA accreditation
The MSc Accounting is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the global professional management accounting body based in the UK. On successful completion of our MSc in Accounting, you will be able to join the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) though an accelerated route. This route allows you to get 11 exemptions from CIMA's certificate, operational and management level exams.
Find out more about the Management level exam >>
Please contact Alison Zimmer ( alison.zimmer@manchester.ac.uk ) if you need further information.
Trading BootCamp Week
Together with Amplify Trading , a global financial trading and training firm, we offer a week long Trading BootCamp for MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Finance and MSc Quantitative Finance course students.
- experience a live trading floor provided by two experienced traders with specialist software
- engage with contemporary financial markets and apply your classroom theory in practice
- watch live breaking news, economic data and geo-political events, and use your knowledge and skills in trading different asset classes
- a fantastic opportunity to prepare you for successful careers after graduation.
The Finance Zone
- gain access to one of the UK's most comprehensive collections of specialist financial and business databases that are used by top researchers around the world.
- Databases include Bloomberg, Datastream, Thomson ONE, Compustat, WRDS, Capital IQ and many more. Read more about the specialist financial and business databases >>
Special features
Worshipful Company of International Bankers Affiliation
Our accounting and finance division courses are affiliated with the Worshipful Company of International Bankers (WCIB). Every year the best dissertation out of the following four courses will receive the WCIB Prize worth £300.
- MSc Accounting
- MSc Accounting and Finance
- MSc Finance
- MSc Quantitative Finance
The winner will also enter the competition for the prestigious WCIB Lombard Prize .
Coursework and assessment
Course unit details
During the course you will be taking 180 credits in all. The eight taught units during semester one and two total 120 credits and consists of both compulsory and optional taught units which can be viewed in the list below.
Over the summer period, you will carry out your Research Dissertation, worth 60 credits. Examples of recent accounting and finance dissertation project topics include:
- Performance reporting by UK listed firms under IFRS
- Audit practice and professionalization
- Management control systems in organisations
- Field-based qualitative research on management accounting innovation and change
- Audit markets in emerging economies
- Corporate governance and quality of earnings
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Management Accounting | BMAN70232 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Corporate Financial Reporting | BMAN70241 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Qualitative Research Methods | BMAN71282 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Quantitative Research Methods in Accounting | BMAN73811 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Financial Statement Analysis | BMAN71132 | 15 | Optional |
| International Accounting Practice and Regulation | BMAN71291 | 15 | Optional |
| Corporate Governance | BMAN72912 | 15 | Optional |
| Assurance and Credible Corporate Reporting | BMAN73821 | 15 | Optional |
| Elements of Market Based Accounting Research | BMAN73842 | 15 | Optional |
| Sustainable Finance and Accounting | BMAN74551 | 15 | Optional |
Scholarships and bursaries
Masters scholarships for Accounting and Finance programmes for UK/EU students
We are delighted to be able to offer five scholarships available across the four Accounting and Finance programmes with a value of £10,000 towards the cost of the tuition fee. The scholarships will be awarded in line with our scholarship deadlines so early application is advisable. Read more >>