This course gives you a firm understanding of key business functions and the basic principles of accounting and finance. You’ll learn about corporate reporting, auditing, corporate law and management accounting, as well as develop your general business and commercial awareness. You’ll study and research the key areas of financial accounting and corporate finance in great depth, and choose from a broad range of specialist modules. These cover topics such as financial strategy, taxation, Islamic banking and information systems. During the course, you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad or take a work placement for a year.

This course offers exemptions from the professional examinations of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.  

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.  

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it. 

What's next for my career?

Accounting and finance are thriving industries and talented graduates are always in demand. It’s a high-reward sector with excellent pay and opportunity to progress – potentially to finance director or chief executive level.

Every business needs accountancy and finance expertise, meaning there’s a great range of careers open to you. UK accountancy qualifications are respected worldwide, so you may even have opportunities overseas. Besides being an accountant, you could go into banking, general management, auditing, taxation, management accounting, actuary, underwriting, consultancy, trading, retail or investment banking.

Recent Hertfordshire graduates have financial and management roles at Citibank, Amazon, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, John Lewis, TUI, The Walt Disney Company and the NHS.

Around 95% of our graduates have gone on to work or further study within six months of finishing this course. Recent graduates have launched their careers in roles such as finance analyst, trainee accountant, payment plan administrator, estate accountant and accounts officer. Our graduates find opportunities with employers of all sizes, including major organisations such as PwC, Hewlett Packard, Costco, Hertfordshire County Council, the NHS, Price Bailey LLP, Mothercare, Cathedral Capital, Balfour Beatty Rail and TUI.