Accounting and Finance

Accounting and finance are the languages through which organisations understand and communicate their economic position. Accounting is concerned with recording, classifying and reporting financial transactions in ways that give a true picture of what a business owns, owes and earns. Finance is concerned with how money is raised, allocated and invested over time, and with the principles and models that help individuals and organisations make better financial decisions.

Together they form the foundation of business literacy and the basis of professional careers in one of the most consistently in-demand areas of the economy.

At the University of Northampton this three-year full-time programme covers the core technical areas of financial and management accounting, corporate finance, investment analysis, auditing and taxation. You will develop skills in financial reporting and analysis, budgeting, cost management and the use of accounting software. The curriculum is designed to align with the syllabuses of professional accountancy bodies, giving you a head start towards professional qualification after graduation.

The programme includes a sandwich year, providing a full year of work experience in an accounting, finance or business environment, as well as built-in work placement activity, both of which significantly strengthen your employability and help you understand how the technical knowledge you develop at university applies in practice.

Accounting and finance graduates are among the most consistently employable in the country. Roles in audit, tax, management accounting, corporate finance, treasury, financial planning and analysis, investment banking and financial services are all accessible. Many graduates go on to complete professional qualifications with bodies such as ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA, which open senior and specialist roles across every sector of the economy.

Others pursue postgraduate degrees in finance, accounting, business administration or financial technology. The combination of rigorous technical training and practical work experience this programme provides is a strong foundation for a long and varied career.