Columbia University
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.
6 Student Reviews
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Accounting and ...01 Dec, 2022
StudentUSOverall Review Of Columbia UniversityI’m finding my stay here at Columbia University to be an awesome stay. I have been able to find my own people and I am doing great!. The professors i have encountered have all been so reliable and pleasant enough. I am not really a social person and prefer staying indoors after my classes but there are lots of things to do if you actually want to do them. I prefer to eat out because at least I can eat healthy while on campus the options are limited. No regrets so far at Columbia University
View moreProgramme: Accounting and Business FinanceDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2023Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: New York City -
Accounting and ...01 Dec, 2022 StudentUSGreat Institution
Studying at Columbia University has opened me up to a whole new experience. Here at Columbia University, the professors are very passionate about their job and helping students reach their full potential. The food choice is great there is tons of variety which I consider to be very thoughtful of the institution. The accommodation options aren’t the best but at least it is less expensive than housing outside of campus. Great institution I must say.
View moreProgramme: Accounting and Business FinanceDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2023Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: New York City -
Accounting and ...01 Dec, 2022 StudentUSManageable Workload
So far so good, I think I have to say Columbia University is quite the place to be! The Professors are great, workload is manageable and engaging. There is always something to do for everyone, no matter what your area of interest is. Good restaurant and eateries everywhere outside of campus. It’s either a hit or miss with the food on campus, they’re either really good with a lot of options or terrible with only 2 things to choose from. The student accommodation options are limited and you sometimes get accommodations you don’t like, but other than Columbia University really ticked all my boxes.
View moreProgramme: Accounting and Business FinanceDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2023Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: New York City -
Accounting and ...30 Nov, 2022 StudentUSFantastic Professors
Words can’t express how excellent Columbia University is, from the fantastic professors to the amazing staff and students. Numerous on-campus and off-campus events and programs are available to keep the fun alive. Although the food on campus does taste like school food, it isn’t all that bad, especially if you’re looking to cut costs. The on-campus housing is also quite nice; it went above and beyond my expectations. The best decision I’ve ever made must be coming here!
View moreProgramme: Accounting and Business FinanceDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2024Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: New York City -
Real Estate ...16 Oct, 2022
FeliciaUSDiversity and Financial AidThere exist a lot of diversity in this university with geniune and kind people everywhere. It also gives financial aid/ support to students who can’t raise the university fees. The support is given to those who really deserve it. It is located in the beautiful city, and its bright and collaborative intellectual community makes it an exciting place to study in. I majored in real estate finance.I recommend it
View moreProgramme: Real Estate FinanceDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2014Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: New York City -
Accounting and ...27 Apr, 2022 JackyUniversity of Columbia
I had the opportunity to attend Columbia University for four years and earn an undergraduate degree. I wholeheartedly recommend this university!!! Its second-place ranking by U.S. News is accurate and well-deserved. Except for math, the vast majority of the classes I took were tiny, with fewer than twenty individuals. This allowed for more personalised attention and interactions with the teachers. I miss those years and wish I could relive them. Amazing adventure!
View moreProgramme: Accounting and Business FinanceDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2012Delivery Type: On CampusCampus: New York City
