Accounting and Finance

BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance

For many students, the rewards and prestige offered by a career in money management make it an attractive path to pursue. A degree in Accounting & Finance is a major step towards achieving that goal. It is a popular choice with students who want to move directly into a career in accountancy as well as those who recognise the value of an accounting degree in a wider business management context. The Accounting & Finance programme provides comprehensive education in the quantitative, computational and analytical skills required in the business world. Students learn about the role and operation of accounting in a range of contexts, informed by current thinking and research in the discipline. The course also offers exceptional exemptions from professional bodies' examinations and is a major stepping stone towards an ACCA, CIMA, ACA or CPA qualification.

Structure and Content

Students on this course will gain an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of accounting and finance from both Irish and international perspectives as well as a strong understanding of business, legal and taxation issues and practices. As the course progresses, the emphasis shifts from foundation knowledge to in-depth study of particular areas of the major accounting, business and finance disciplines with a greater emphasis on independent work and on the development of a critical and analytical approach to the subject matter which gives students the confidence to critically evaluate information, ideas and opinions.

Students holding a relevant certificate, ordinary degree or other relevant qualifications may qualify for entry to the second or third year of the degree programme.

Year 1

Six mandatory subjects provide foundation knowledge in core business and accounting disciplines

Year 2

Further develops technical knowledge in the key accounting and finance disciplines while advancing students’ expertise in the management of business and information.

Year 3

At the final year, students critically examine current practice and developments in specialist financial fields and learn to deal with complex financial and business situations in an integrative and cross-disciplinary manner.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this programme often use it as a fast track to professional accountancy qualifications, availing of their entitlement to exceptional exemptions from ACCA, CIMA, etc. Those graduates who enter employment immediately usually find well-paid jobs very quickly. Former students from this programme are employed worldwide in a range of business, accounting and finance positions. They work in tax, audit and general accounting firms as well as multinational blue-chip companies and small and medium-sized enterprises across a range of industry sectors.

Teaching and Assessment

The BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance is taught mainly through lectures and tutorials, with students taking responsibility for a significant amount of study outside scheduled class contact times. Assessed work will consist of traditional end-of-year examinations plus a significant element of continuous assessment based on coursework. Such coursework may involve research-based reports, case studies, essays or practical assignments.

Programme Content

Learner protection for this programme is provided in accordance with Section 43 of the Qualifications (Education and Training ) Act 1999.