Accounting

Accounting is the language of business: the systematic discipline through which financial information is recorded, analysed, and communicated, enabling organisations of every kind to understand their financial position, meet their obligations to stakeholders, and make informed decisions about their future. From preparing financial statements and managing compliance with tax and regulatory requirements to auditing the accounts of large organisations and advising on financial strategy, accounting encompasses a wide range of professional activities that are essential to the functioning of modern economies.

At Birkbeck College, this part-time degree is taught in the centre of London, close to the capital's global financial centre, and is designed for students who want to develop the subject knowledge and professional skills that will allow them to stand out in the accounting field. Birkbeck's flexible, evening-teaching model makes the degree accessible to students who are working or have other commitments during the day, without compromising the rigour or depth of what you study. You will master essential subject knowledge across financial and management accounting, auditing, taxation, and the regulatory and ethical frameworks within which the profession operates.

Accounting graduates work in public practice, where audit and advisory firms of all sizes rely on qualified accountants, and in industry, the public sector, and financial services, where management accountants, financial controllers, and finance directors play central roles. Professional qualification routes including the ICAEW, ACCA, and CIMA pathways are commonly pursued alongside or after undergraduate study, and a degree in accounting provides a strong academic foundation for those examinations. For graduates who wish to continue their education at postgraduate level, programmes in accounting, finance, and business management are all natural options.