Accounting is the measurement and processing of financial and non-financial data within an organisation. At Essex, we encourage you to challenge the perception of accounting within shifting global markets.

MSc Accounting is our flagship Masters degree of our accounting disciplines at Essex Business School. Accounting at Essex goes well beyond the preparation of financial statements. We teach you to be accountable, act ethically and make financial decisions that positively impact both organisations and society.

This course will advance your knowledge of accounting in both depth and scope. You will master core areas of accounting, such as:

• management accounting
• financial reporting
• corporate governance
• reporting and analysis

We take a critical view of both financial reporting and management accounting, so that you can be perfectly placed to lead financial decision-making in your chosen industry. You work with students and staff from across the globe, preparing you to work in international markets. MSc Accounting aims to inspire a business-minded and socially driven Essex accounting graduate.

At Essex Business School we champion ethical management and sustainable business. We believe accounting information is the foundation for successful decision-making and further develop your practical accounting skills and theoretical knowledge so you can make a positive impact in the workplace.

Professional accreditation

Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations.

Completion of this course gives you accreditation exemptions from up to four professional examination papers with The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

This means that you are able to gain a professional qualification faster by taking fewer exams when you graduate, giving your career a head start.

Why we’re great

• We teach you to be accountable, act ethically and make financial decisions that positively impact both organisations and society.
• The experience and findings of our world-leading experts in accounting will feature throughout your teaching.
• Extend your knowledge of accounting with this specialist course.

Our expert staff

Essex Business School has a number of established research strengths in accounting, including:

• accounting in emerging economies
• sustainable accounting
• governance
• global development
• public sector accounting
• regulation and reporting

Our researchers make a significant impact on the lives of people all around the world, with past and current research projects covering five continents.

The experience and findings of our experts will feature throughout your teaching. For example, you’ll hear from Professor Teerooven Soobaroyen, Professor of Accounting at Essex Business School.

Professor Soobaroyen’s research focuses on the connection between accounting, accountability and governance in the context of companies in developing or emerging economies, corporate foundations, the public sector, charities, non-governmental organisations and higher education institutions.

His focus on accounting in emerging economies resulted in the founding of a specialist research journal, the Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, of which he is Associate Editor. He was recently elected President of the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA).

Two research centres support the research activities taking place in the accounting group. They organise seminars by external invited speakers; Essex Business School staff and research students; co-ordinate workshop programmes; and schedule bi-annual conferences of international renown. These offer a further excellent opportunity for you to engage with the very latest research and ideas in the field of accounting.

The Essex Accounting Centre conducts distinctive world-class research, with a particular focus on accounting research applied in developing countries, including topics such as social responsibility and corporate governance; management accounting change; and corruption and accountability.

Our new interdisciplinary centre, the Centre for Accountability and Global Development (CAGD), is a dynamic hub for social justice research, with a particular focus on accountability across all sectors in both developed and emerging economies. The Centre contributes to impactful global development through rigorous research and engagement with the policy community, which complements the existing research strengths and expertise established within the Essex Accounting Centre.

Specialist facilities

Our MSc Accounting is based at our Colchester Campus.

You’ll be studying at Essex Business School, home to the first zero carbon business school in the UK– demonstrating our sustainable approach to business first-hand.

Set around a lush winter garden, with shared spaces to encourage collaborative working, you’ll find a wealth of inspiring teaching and study zones:

• a virtual trading floor with Bloomberg Financial Market Labs, where you’ll gain hands-on experience and learn how to model financial data in a practical setting
• access to company reporting databases, Passport (GMID) and NEXIS advance UK
• learn in modern lecture theatres with ‘listen again’ recording to aid your study
• utilise study booths in our winter garden and versatile break out areas for group working throughout the building
• study skills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
• networking opportunities with visiting businesses and careers events
• Bonds café and adjacent foyer to enjoy on-site fresh food and drink

You’ll also benefit from fantastic University facilities located close by, including our state-of-the-art Silberrad Student Centre, complete with an open-access 24-hour Learning Hub and a cutting-edge media centre.

Our building is located on the Knowledge Gateway, home to some of the region’s most exciting enterprises in the science, technology and creative sectors. The Knowledge Gateway provides potential networking and career opportunities for students directly on campus.