Accounting vs finance: Which should you study? (2024)

Accounting vs finance: Which should you study? (1)

Accounting vs finance: Which should you study? (2)

Accounting Vs Finance: Which Should You Study? main image

It’s all about FAME. And no, we’re not talking about the 1980 American musical filmFame, we’re talking about the popularity of FAME subjects among university students… obviously.

The popularity of FAME subjects (finance,accounting,managementandeconomics) comes from their vital role in the world of business, particularly those first two letters of the acronym:accounting and finance.

The primary difference in the battle ofaccounting vs financeis that accounting has a relatively narrow focus, while finance is wider-ranging, covering an array of specializations in the world of business, economics and banking.

A total of 36 countries boast at least one university among the 200top accounting and finance schoolsranked in theQS World University Rankings by Subject 2018, showing it’s not just highly developed countries which have a need for accountants.

But, should youstudy financeor accounting? Read on for an in-depth comparison of both subjects, to help you make a decision...

Accounting

Finance

Typical course content

  • Auditing
  • Budget analysis
  • Business strategy
  • Financial accounting
  • Financial reporting
  • Forensic accounting
  • Information systems
  • International accounting
  • Macro/microeconomics
  • Management accounting
  • Professional standards and ethics
  • Quantitative analysis
  • Risk management
  • Tax accounting
  • Advanced derivatives
  • Asset markets
  • Behavioural finance
  • Corporate finance
  • Economics/econometrics
  • Financial mathematics
  • Financial management
  • Financial markets
  • Financial planning
  • Financial engineering
  • Financial accounting
  • Financial reporting
  • International finance
  • Private equity
  • Risk management
  • Venture capital

Career potential

  • Accountant (trainee, public, professional and certified)
  • Actuary
  • Auditor
  • Bookkeeper
  • Budget analyst
  • Credit controller
  • Financial consultant
  • Financial examiner
  • Forensic accountant
  • Payroll administrator
  • Risk assessor
  • Tax advisor
  • Treasurer
  • Commercial banker
  • Financial consultant
  • Financial manager
  • Financial trader
  • Hedge fund manager
  • Insurance officer
  • Investment banker
  • Quant specialist

Key skills gained

  • Quantitative skill
  • Specialized knowledge of varied accounting topics and techniques
  • Awareness of GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)
  • Knowledge of accounting regulation issues
  • Strong understanding of business industry
  • Understanding of industry practices and principles
  • Strong theoretical knowledge
  • Research skills
  • Communication skills
  • Knowledge of stock market, trade and investment
  • Analytical skills
  • Ability to understand and interpret numerical and statistical data
  • Up-to-date knowledge of correct business practices

Types of qualification

Undergraduate level:

Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc, BAcy or BAccty); Bachelor of Arts in Accounting (BA/ACC); Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSc/ACC)

Graduate level:

Master of Accounting (MAcc or Mac); Master of Professional Accounting (MPA, MPAc, MPAcc or MPAcy); Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)

Undergraduate level:

Bachelor of Arts in Finance (BA/F); Bachelor of Science in Finance (BSc/F)

Graduate level:

Master of Science in Finance (MSF); Master of Finance (M.Fin); Master of Financial Economics (MFE); Master of Applied Finance (MAF)

Professional accreditations

CPA(Certified Public Accountant - US)

ACA/CA(Chartered Accountant – UK and Commonwealth)

ACCA(Chartered Certified Accountant – UK)

CFA(Chartered Financial Analyst);CTP(Certified Treasury Professional);CPRM(Certified Professional Risk Manager);CF(Corporate Finance Qualification);CVA(Certified Valuation Analyst);CQF(Certificate in Quantitative Finance)

Salary potential

Average starting salary in the US for undergraduate accounting graduates (2019 figures):US$57,511

Average postgraduate starting salary in the US:$69,605

129thin PayScale’s ranking ofMajors by Salary Potential

Average starting salary in the US for finance majors (2019 figures):$58,464

Average postgraduate starting salary in the US:$74,201

63rdin PayScale’s ranking ofMajors by Salary Potential

Accounting vs finance

At undergraduate level, it’s possible to take a jointaccounting and finance degree, in order to gain a more general knowledge of both accounting and finance professions. However, those who study further will usually specialize in either one or the other, in order to gain more advanced expertise in one particular field.

While accounting focuses on the day-to-day management of financial reports and records across the business world, finance uses this same information to project future growth and to analyze expenditure in order to strategize company finances. Sofinance degreestudents will likely be more interested in financial strategy and control, whileaccounting degreestudents will be more focused on professional principles and processes, used in order to manage numbers rather than influence them.

What do accounting degrees cover?

An accounting degree will provide a foundation for specializedaccounting careers, as well as many other related careers. Accounting careers typically involve analyzing and utilizing financial information in order to evaluate a business’ financial position. This can involve anything from basic book-keeping to managing balance sheets and income statements. Accounting careers often have a large focus on past records and present reports, involving the creation and analysis of these records, and now often also extend to encompass planning, controlling, decision-making, stewardship, accountability and more.

Although it is fairly easy to pursue accounting careers with just a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate study is an option for those who want further specialized knowledge in a particular area. In order to become a chartered accountant, you’ll need to gain further professional qualifications specific to the country in which you wish to work. Depending on the hiring business, however, these professional qualifications can sometimes be gained on the job, often with subsidies from your employer.

Accounting specializations

Those whostudy accountingcan often specialize in topics such as auditing, tax, risk assessment, international accounting and management accounting. Forensic accounting is another possible option, allowing students to immerse themselves in real-life case studies in order to provide a rounded understanding of how accountancy processes are used within legal proceedings, such as with cases relating to fraud, electronic crime, insurance claims, bankruptcy and corporate ethics. As with finance degrees, those who wish to study accounting with further specialization and independent research are also able to undertake a further postgraduate degree at MRes or PhD level.

What do finance degrees cover?

A finance degree, on the other hand, is a great starting point for careers in financial services, across business, banking and consultancy sectors. According to US salary data gathered by PayScale,finance careersalso have the potential to be slightly more lucrative than most accountancy routes. This is due to the fact that finance careers typically focus on the management of current and future figures of a business or organization, as opposed to just the recording of past and present income and expenditure. This means that those in finance careers often have the added responsibility of predicting and analyzing the potential for profit and growth, assessing monetary resources, utilizing accounting statistics and reports, and also looking externally for future funding options.

Finance specializations

Common specializations for those whostudy financeat degree level include corporate finance, financial evaluation, behavioral finance, derivatives, capital markets, econometrics, financial modeling, quantitative finance, investment management, financial regulation, financial reporting, and even some aspects of accounting. These specializations, although taught within one program at undergraduate level, are sometimes offered as entire courses in their own right at postgraduate level. Other possible programs include financial management, banking, international finance, financial engineering, risk and financial planning.

Accounting and finance degree entry requirements

To study accounting or finance at undergraduate level, you will not be expected to have relevant work experience or an academic qualification specifically in accounting or finance. However, applicants will be required to prove their numerical proficiency, along with their interest in accounting and finance sectors. This can be done with high school and A-level qualifications in related STEM and FAME subjects such asbusiness,mathematics,economics,computer science, and other sciences and technologies. Extracurricular activities such as a math club membership may also be taken into account.

If you are applying for a postgraduate accounting or finance program, you will be expected to have completed a related undergraduate program and/or a number of years’ relevant professional work experience. However, this is not always compulsory, and students who can prove their quantitative and analytic capabilities through the content covered in their previous degree or by taking an exam such as theGMATorGREmay also be considered.

Accounting vs finance: Which should you study? (3)

Why study accounting or finance at graduate level?

At graduate level,accountingandfinancedegrees become even more popular, with as much as 25 percent of all full-time postgraduate students in theUKenrolled on a FAME-related program. This popularity comes from the highly specialized nature of many accounting and finance careers, with high demand for graduates who are ready to keep pace with continuous developments, new processes, changing markets and emerging technologies. Those who study accounting or finance at postgraduate level often benefit from a stronger understanding of the theories and models which underlie the surface-level processes. This can make them better prepared to adapt depending on the environment and make sound business decisions at a management level.

Further professional qualifications

In order to become a qualified accountant, you will need to obtain a professional accountancy qualification such as the globally recognized Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) certificate. If you study at postgraduate level, depending on the specific credits and modules you take, you may find that you are exempt from having to take these external qualifications.

Practical experience is also widely recognized as vital to help students deepen their understanding of accounting and finance topics and prepare for professional roles. Although at undergraduate level a largely theoretical approach is taken, for research-based programs and taught master’s degrees, there is much more opportunity to gain practical experience while you study. This can be a formal requirement of the degree, or simply an extra option that students are encouraged to pursue, often with advice and support from course leaders and the university careers service.

Accounting vs finance: Which should you study? (4)

Accounting and finance careers

Accounting and finance graduates are highly sought-after, with employer demand showing little sign of slowing down. In the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts employment opportunities for accountants and auditors to grow by 10 percent in the decade up to 2026, while opportunities for financial analysts are predicted to increase by 11 percent during this period. Sectors which are predicted to offer the most significant expansion within these fields include management, scientific and technical consulting services; computer systems design and related services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; and general financial investment activities.

Bear in mind, however, that many of the roles for which highest growth is forecast are those in which a specialized postgraduate degree is likely to be a major asset. Other less-specialized roles, on the other hand, are currently seeing lower levels of demand; these include roles such as data entry, file clerks, typists, couriers and switchboard services.

Accountancy firms, insurance companies, building societies, investment banks, high street banks, and public sector agencies are just some of the potential employers for those with an accounting or finance degree, with the large multinational financial services firms still offering many of the most popular opportunities. These firms often run large-scale recruitment campaigns to attract the most promising graduates in the field. But, while these opportunities are relatively plentiful, entry is still extremely competitive – so a specialized postgraduate degree could really help you stand out.

Salary expectations

In an analysis of thetop-paid business majors for US graduates, NACE (the National Association of Colleges and Employers) reported that starting salaries for accounting majors in the US averaged US$57,511, while finance majors started at a slightly higher salary of US$58,464. At postgraduate level this gap widens; finance postgraduates earn an average of US$74,201 in comparison to accounting postgraduates, who earn an average starting salary of US$69,605. Although this would suggest finance is the more lucrative route, if you decide to gain a professional accounting qualification on top of your academic degree(s), as a certified accountant you could earn up toUS$68,000.

If you’re not yet sure who’s the winner of the battle of accounting vs finance, view our individualaccountingandfinancesubject guides for more information on specializations and careers in each field.

This article was originally published in March 2015. It was last updated in June 2019.

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Accounting vs finance: Which should you study? (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to study finance or accounting? ›

The field of finance offers more career choices but also less predictability. In some cases, careers in finance might offer higher pay. Careers in accounting can offer more predictable and stable work but less pay in many cases.

Is accounting more difficult than finance? ›

While both finance and accounting can be difficult majors, accounting is considered more difficult because it requires more discipline and a lot of math. Accounting is more complex because it relies on precise sets of arithmetic principles.

How do I know if accounting is right for me? ›

Examine your interests and skills to determine which accounting career resonates with you the most. Consider areas where you excel—like financial analysis, problem-solving, or attention to detail. This will help you choose a path that aligns with your natural abilities.

Which requires more math finance or accounting? ›

Accounting is more involved, with strict sets of arithmetic rules governing it. Finance requires an understanding of economics as well as some accounting. However, it does depend on your interest and skills.

How do I choose between finance and accounting? ›

The main difference between finance and accounting is in their scopes and goals. At its most basic, accounting focuses on looking at past transactions to determine current financial positioning while finance deals with analysis and strategy to support future growth.

How difficult is a finance degree? ›

Finance degrees are generally considered to be challenging. In a program like this, students gain exposure to new concepts, from financial lingo to mathematical problems, so there can be a learning curve.

What makes more money finance or accounting? ›

In an analysis of the top-paid business majors for US graduates, NACE (the National Association of Colleges and Employers) reported that starting salaries for accounting majors in the US averaged US$57,511, while finance majors started at a slightly higher salary of US$58,464.

Is it hard to pass accounting? ›

The overall CPA Exam pass rates hover slightly below 50%. This makes passing the CPA Exam a difficult, but achievable, goal. You'll need to study wisely, set a strategy for managing your time, and call on your support network, but with the right plan and good study materials, you will conquer it.

Is a CPA good for finance? ›

The CPA is great if you want to rise up the finance department at a corporate business and ultimately become the CFO, or if you want to rise up the ranks at a public accounting firm. The CFA credential, by contrast, is great if you want to work at a bank and, in particular, in investment management or equity research.

What is the #1 rule in accounting? ›

Rule 1: Debit all expenses and losses, credit all incomes and gains. This golden accounting rule is applicable to nominal accounts. It considers a company's capital as a liability and thus has a credit balance. As a result, the capital will increase when gains and income get credited.

Why is no one going into accounting? ›

The 150-hour requirement is seen as a barrier to entry. Accounting is perceived as boring. Compensation is lower than for other majors such as finance and technology.

What is the golden rule for accountant? ›

The three golden rules of accounting are (1) debit all expenses and losses, credit all incomes and gains, (2) debit the receiver, credit the giver, and (3) debit what comes in, credit what goes out. These rules are the basis of double-entry accounting, first attributed to Luca Pacioli.

Is a degree in finance worth it? ›

High earning potential: Many jobs in finance offer high salaries and growth potential, making it a lucrative career choice. Diverse career opportunities: With a finance degree, you can work in various roles and industries, from investment banking to risk management to financial planning.

What is the difference between an accounting and finance degree? ›

An accounting degree student will utilize professional principals and processes to manage numbers rather than influence them. On the other hand, a finance degree student will be more interested in financial strategy and control, and how they can wisely invest based on financial trends.

What pays better, economics or accounting? ›

economics salary. According to Indeed Salaries, accountants make a national average salary of $62,364 per year in the United States while economists make a national average salary of $113,334 per year .

What's the difference between finance and accounting? ›

Finance: The Basics. The difference between finance and accounting is that accounting focuses on the day-to-day flow of money in and out of a company or institution, whereas finance is a broader term for the management of assets and liabilities and the planning of future growth.

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