

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.
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.
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.
I studied at Maseno University, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Accounting. My experience there was both challenging and rewarding. The university has a strong academic environment, and I appreciated the emphasis on practical learning — especially in finance and management courses.
Some lecturers, like Dr. Ombok stood out for their engaging teaching and mentorship. Campus life was vibrant, with a mix of academic focus and student leadership opportunities — I even participated in SONU leadership, which helped me build confidence and teamwork skills.
Overall, Maseno University prepared me well for the professional world. I’d recommend it to anyone who values a balance of academic rigor and personal growth.”
View moreHonestly, this course has been both challenging and rewarding. I really liked how it combines accounting, finance, and technology — you get to learn practical skills like Excel, QuickBooks, and data analysis, which make you stand out in the job market. The lecturers are approachable, and most units actually connect to real-life situations.
What I didn’t like was that sometimes we had limited access to software or computers, and a few classes felt too theory-based instead of hands-on. Also, administrative delays here and there can be frustrating.
Still, I’d definitely recommend the program. It gives you strong financial knowledge plus the IT edge that today’s employers really value.
View more Academics: Course content, teaching quality, assessment methods, academic support, research opportunities.
Campus Environment: Facilities, libraries, labs, sports facilities, social spaces, accommodation.
Social Life: Student community, social events, clubs and societies, opportunities for making friends.
Support Services: Careers advice, health services, disability support, financial aid.
Location and Accessibility: Proximity to amenities, transportation links, safety.
Cost and Value for Money: Tuition fees, living expenses, value of resources and opportunities.
I attended Maseno University to study Business Administration with a focus on Accounting. My time there was both educational and personally rewarding, offering many opportunities to grow in the business field.
**Academic Experience:** The Business Administration program at Maseno University covers important areas like marketing, human resources, and organizational behavior. Specializing in Accounting gave me a deep understanding of financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, and auditing. The courses mixed theory with practical skills, which helped me transition into the working world.
The lecturers were knowledgeable and supportive, explaining things clearly and using real-world examples to simplify complex ideas. They also emphasized ethical practices in accounting, preparing me for real challenges in my career.
Even though the program was academically strong, I think more practical experiences, like internships or live case studies, would have been helpful for connecting theory with practice. Also, learning about current trends and accounting technology would have been advantageous.
**Facilities:** The university offers many resources to support learning. The library is stocked with textbooks, accounting journals, and online databases, crucial for studies and research. Computer labs have software like QuickBooks and SAGE, allowing us to apply classroom learning.
The large campus has spaces for studying, socializing, and recreation. However, slow internet, especially during busy hours, sometimes made online research difficult.
**Campus Life:** Maseno University has a vibrant community with various student clubs and societies. The Maseno Business Club, for example, helps students with shared interests in Accounting to connect. These clubs were great for networking, expanding business knowledge, and joining workshops and competitions.
Social activities like sports, events, and student-organized conferences are plentiful, balancing academic demands and helping form lasting friendships.
**Support Services:** Maseno University’s support services were reliable and helpful. Career services offered valuable guidance on internships and job searches in accounting. Counseling services supported students dealing with university pressures.
One area needing improvement was administrative processes; communication was sometimes slow. However, the administration responded and worked to resolve issues once they were highlighted.
**Conclusion:** Overall, my experience at Maseno University was positive and transformative. The Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, focusing on Accounting, gave me a strong foundation and essential skills for the business world. The program was well-rounded, and the Accounting specialization equipped me with necessary industry knowledge and practical tools.
Though there could be improvements, like more hands-on experience and better internet, I believe Maseno University provided a solid education that helped me grow professionally. I highly recommend Maseno University to anyone pursuing a business career, especially those interested in specializing in Accounting.
View moreI enjoyed learning at the university. The lectures were nice and students were nice to everyone, I found it easier to interact with everyone at school. However, life was tough in general due to lack of enough funds to support my student upkeep. But I recommend the school to anyone
View moreMaseno University, a public university in Kenya, is known for its commitment to academic excellence, diverse programs, and a focus on producing well-rounded graduates. Located near Kisumu, it uniquely incorporates e-learning as a core part of its curriculum, enhancing flexibility and accessibility for students. The university offers programs in fields such as medicine, business, education, and information technology, making it a hub for interdisciplinary education. With a beautiful campus and supportive learning environment, Maseno University has become a key player in higher education within the region.
View more