Accounting

Accounting is the language of business. It provides the framework within which the financial performance and position of organisations are measured, communicated and assessed, and it underpins the decisions of managers, investors, regulators and governments. Becoming an accountant means developing not just technical skills in recording and reporting financial information but the analytical and professional judgement needed to interpret what those numbers mean and to communicate them clearly to different audiences.

At the University of Durham, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad and a work placement, giving you a combination of academic depth and practical professional experience that distinguishes you in the graduate market. You will study financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation, business law, corporate governance, financial analysis and the regulatory frameworks that govern accounting practice in the UK and internationally. The programme develops both technical competence and the professional skills that chartered accountants need, and many graduates use the degree as a foundation for professional qualification.

Accounting graduates are in demand across virtually every sector of the economy. Public accounting firms, corporate finance departments, the public sector, banking, investment management and consultancy all employ accounting graduates in substantial numbers. Many graduates proceed to qualify as chartered accountants with bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

The combination of academic training and professional experience built into this degree accelerates that journey, and the international and placement components give graduates a breadth of perspective that employers value highly.