University of the Witwatersrand - WITS
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.
14 Student Reviews
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Accounting Sciences3 months ago
StudentZALife changingWits is one of the best universities in South Africa. I had the most rewarding experience. I enjoyed the learning experience. I studied Accounting Science. I had the best support system from my lecturers. Campus life is what stood out to me; I participated in a lot of sports and social events. We were there for each other
View moreProgramme: Accounting SciencesDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2022Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: Johannesburg -
Accounting3 months ago StudentZAQuality facility infrastructure
The professors are precise regarding academics, they are able to make studies fun in a way that all students can learn in different ways. The student life is buzzing and helps students to balance between academics and student life therefore minimizing academic pressure and stress.
View moreProgramme: AccountingDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2018Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: Johannesburg -
Finance and ...3 months ago StudentZALECTURES
THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WITH KNOWLEDGEABLE LECTURES WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR SUBJECTS. GOOD ACADEMIC RESOURCES. WHILE SOME ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES COULD IMPROVE ,THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS SOLID OVERALL STUDENT EXPERIENCE.
View moreProgramme: Finance and AccountingDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2026Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: Johannesburg -
Accounting3 months ago StudentZAAn edge worth conquering
I stayed at Jubilee Hall and I didn’t enjoy res orientation (not fan of initiations as welcomes). But the actual orientation week was great and classes and the lecturers are naturally top tier. One you’ve been to Great Hall you’ll understand, the edge is 100% worth conquering.
View moreProgramme: AccountingDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2017Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: Johannesburg -
Accounting and ...3 months ago StudentZABcom Accounting Graduate from Wits University
All though I may not have faced difficulties, what really stood out for were the services they had. They had student support for academic funding and progress, societal clubs that were outside of academics, and being a student urged to stay in campus and catered for. 4 years later I am a B.Com Accounting Graduate, with a postgraduate diploma in specialized accounting, with a full job. The university has ensured that platforms similar to those I have mentioned are made accessible to students, to not only transition effectively into the workspace but push Wits legacy in the places we are in.
View moreProgramme: Accounting and AuditingDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2025Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: Johannesburg -
Accounting4 months ago StudentZAGreat culture, Great people
It is a great university to network and meet friends, it also pushes you beyond your limits and challenges you academically. Overall greatest university to figure yourself out as a young adult leaning how to navigate the world.
View moreProgramme: AccountingDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2025Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: Johannesburg -
Accounting and ...4 months ago StudentZAbest university
Wits University is one of the best universities in South Africa that offers excellent qualifications and gives support to students during their academia. I can say I have enjoyed my learning journey and am surely coming back for my postgraduate degree. The campus is easy to navigate around. lectures are most experienced
View moreProgramme: Accounting and FinanceDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2010Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: Johannesburg -
Accounting4 months ago
ThembaniZABest UniversityThe university was the best one for me. They offered counselling and support to every student, and their study material was one of the best. i like how they offered tours and maps around the campus for new students. You won’t feel like you don’t have someone to guide you there. The lectures are always there for you as a student. I had the best experience
View moreProgramme: AccountingDegree: Master'sGraduation: 2024Delivery Type: BlendedCampus: Johannesburg -
Accounting and ...4 months ago StudentZABEST UNIVERSITY
The quality of facilities and lectures is the best, student life is made easy ,there might be some slight issues with the management and the high fees but anyway to survive you need to have a full bursary.
View more
I highly recommendProgramme: Accounting and AuditingDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2027Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: Johannesburg -
Accounting and ...4 months ago StudentZAthe friendly atmosphere and the cleanliness
has a lot of variety big lecture rooms patient lecturers, friendly environment what stood out for me was the patience in the lecturers wouldn’t trade it for anything and it is a university that i would not be ashamed to talk about very proud of it
View moreProgramme: Accounting and Business FinanceDegree: Short CourseGraduation: 2025Delivery Type: Online
