CBS International Business School - CBS
speciality:
Accounting & Finance
What is an Accounting & Finance degree?
An Accounting & Finance degree focuses on the management of monetary resources available to an organization. Such a degree is aimed at students who want to pursue careers in investment analysis, management, banking, auditing, consulting and financial management. It teaches students how to assess the assets and liabilities of an organization financially and manage the financial risk of their activity.
Accounting & Finance covers the core areas of financial accounting, management accounting and finance but also includes other aspects of the business activity, such as financial management and control, corporate finance, company accounts, investment and business law. Optional module options provided by different universities around the world often allow students to specialize in a particular area such as auditing, taxation, etc.
Benefits of an Accounting & Finance degree
The completion of an Accounting & Finance degree comes along with numerous benefits. Students develop strong analytical, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, which are highly demanded by employers in both the private and the public sector and result in graduates often finding employment in large multinational organizations that offer professional services such as PwC, KPMG and Deloitte. On top of that, established companies around the world offer excellent and well-structured graduate schemes, which help Accounting & Finance graduates to kick-start their careers.
Accounting & Finance degrees are mostly practically oriented. They allow students to put the knowledge and skills they acquire on a daily basis to practice through simulated and real-life business accounts management and work placement opportunities.
Most Accounting & Finance degrees are professionally accredited by professional bodies, such as ACCA, AIA, CIMA, ICAEW and CIPFA, which provides students with the opportunity to become chartered accountants. Students gain professional qualifications in accountancy, which eliminates the need for additional certifications after graduation.
Due to the nature of the Accounting & Finance Degree, which complements business-related subjects, students often have the opportunity to complete a joint honours degree.
Accounting & Finance Degree Structure
An Accounting & Finance degree’s duration varies depending on the country and degree level. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting & Finance can be completed in three years. However, universities also offer students the option to take a sandwich course, which allows them to undertake a year-long placement between their second and third year, which extends the course to four years. Four years is the regular time of completion of this degree in other countries, such as the United States.
The first year of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Finance introduces the core principles of accounting and finance, including financial accounting, management accounting and finance as well as economics and business law. The second year’s focus is usually on managerial and business economics, financial control, corporate finance and company accounts, but optional modules might enable students to pursue their interests in other aspects of Accounting & Finance such as auditing or strategic business analysis. At this point, students studying at Higher Education Institutions in the UK could choose to take an industry placement in order to apply the theoretical concepts and the acquired knowledge to practice in the professional environment. The next stage of this degree is dedicated to further-developing students’ knowledge of financial and management accounting. Optional modules might enable students to specialize in a particular area of their choice such as auditing or taxation in some countries like the UK.
Masters’ degrees in Accounting & Finance usually take between 12 and 18 months to complete depending on the country that students choose for their studies.
Research-based degrees, such as MPhil and PhD, can take anywhere between 1 and 7 years depending on the country and type of degree. MPhil degrees in Accounting & Finance in the UK usually take 12 months if it is studied full-time and 24 months for part-time studies. PhD degrees in the UK, on the other hand, take about 36 months to complete if studying full-time and 72 months for a part-time program. In the US, students may be required to dedicate between 4 and 7 years on their degree.
1 Student Reviews
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Global Finance ...2 months ago
DenzelKEA Rewarding Experience in Global FinanceMoving from Kenya to Germany to pursue my MSc in Global Finance has been one of the most significant decisions of my life, and studying at CBS International Business School has been a rewarding part of that journey.
What stood out to me from the very beginning was the size of the programme. Our Global Finance cohort was intentionally kept small, creating an environment where lecturers know students personally, discussions are more engaging, and collaboration came naturally. For me, that was a major advantage over much larger programmes where it is easy to become just another face in the classroom. It created a close-knit learning environment where everyone brought different professional and cultural perspectives to the table.
CBS is, first and foremost, an international business school, and that is reflected throughout the programme. The curriculum is modern, internationally oriented, and closely connected to today’s business environment. Rather than focusing solely on theory, many modules encourage students to think critically about real-world developments and how finance continues to evolve in response to global markets, technology, regulation, and changing business needs.
One aspect I have particularly appreciated is the quality of the lecturers. Many continue to work actively in industry alongside teaching, bringing current professional experience directly into the classroom. Whether through finance simulation games, discussions on corporate governance and sustainability, or real business case studies, learning is grounded in practical application rather than theory alone. That connection between academia and industry has made the programme far more engaging and has given me valuable insight into how concepts are applied in practice.
Coming from a different education system, I also appreciated the way learning and assessment are structured. Expectations are communicated clearly throughout the semester, coursework builds progressively, and examinations are aligned with what has been taught. It creates an environment where students can focus on understanding concepts rather than trying to predict assessments. The blended learning model has also been a major advantage. The flexibility to attend classes online when needed, together with recorded lectures that remain available throughout the semester, has been incredibly helpful, particularly for students balancing work, travel, or other commitments. It is a thoughtful system that genuinely supports different learning styles.
Outside the classroom, I have found some of the greatest value in getting involved. Through company presentations, career events, workshops, and student initiatives, I have had the opportunity to engage with professionals from across the finance and business world. Student-led communities continue to grow as well. Being part of the relaunch of our finance and investment club, Capital Circle, has shown me that students are encouraged not only to participate but also to help build the community they want to be part of. There is still tremendous potential, and that is one of the things I genuinely appreciate about the university: initiative is welcomed and supported.
If I could suggest one area for further development, it would be to strengthen the visibility and industry outreach of the Global Finance programme itself. Given the quality of the programme and the calibre of its students, I believe there is significant potential to build even stronger relationships with banks, investment firms, financial institutions, and capital market participants. As one of the few programmes of its kind, Global Finance has the opportunity to become even more recognised within the finance industry through expanded employer engagement and stronger partnerships.
The city, Cologne, has also become one of the highlights of my experience. It is a welcoming, diverse, and well-connected city that made settling into life in Germany much easier than I expected. Beyond the university, I have met people from all over the world, each with different stories and perspectives, which has broadened my outlook considerably. The city has a relaxed atmosphere, an active student life, and plenty to explore, while also being strategically located within easy reach of Düsseldorf, Bonn, and Frankfurt. You also have Belgium and Netherlands, 1 – 2 hours away which make for a great weekend trip. For anyone interested in business or finance, that proximity creates excellent opportunities for networking, interviews, company visits, and professional events.
Overall, my experience has been very positive. CBS provides a strong platform, but like any good programme, the value you gain depends largely on the initiative you are willing to take. If you are internationally minded, curious, and prepared to actively shape your own academic and professional journey, CBS offers an environment where you can grow not only as a student, but also as a future professional.
View moreProgramme: Global Finance (M.Sc.)Degree: Master'sGraduation: 2027Delivery Type: BlendedCampus: Cologne