Accounting & Finance with Business Experience BSc (Hons)
Why choose this course?
Accounting and finance are used in a variety of roles and organisations.
On this course, you'll learn to plan and manage financial resources, summarise and analyse financial transactions and make informed financial decisions.
You'll gain valuable hands-on experience through an internship, a consultancy project or entrepreneurship experience. This can boost your employability and lead to career success. We also offer a Business Readiness Programme where you can hone your professional skills.
The course is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). It offers partial exemptions from their professional exams. Kingston University is also an ICAEW Higher Education Partner in Learning.
| Attendance | UCAS code | Year of entry |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years full time | N420 | 2021 |
| 4 years full time including sandwich year | N422 | 2021 |
| 4 years full time including foundation year | N421 | 2021 |
| Location | Kingston Hill |
2020 entry
If you are planning to join this course in September 2020, please view the information about changes to courses for 2020/21 due to Covid-19.
Continuing students
Students who are continuing their studies with Kingston University in 2020/21 should refer to their Course Handbook for information about specific changes that have been, or may be, made to their course or modules being delivered in 2020/21. Course Handbooks are located within the Canvas course page.
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- Kingston is one of just a few UK universities with a real-time Bloomberg trading room. This will give you access to the technology of the financial workplace so you'll learn how to become a trader.
- After just three years, you'll have both a degree and the practical work experience that employers look for.
- You'll have the opportunity to get exemptions (credits for prior learning) from exams that lead to professional qualifications.
- Free car parking at the Kingston Hill campus is available for students of this course. The campus can also be easily accessed by public transport. Halls accommodation is just a walk away from the classrooms.
With business experience
This degree comes 'with business experience', which includes the following:
- The Business Readiness Programme develops your business skills and qualities so that you hit the ground running on the first day of your work internship or graduate job.
- Business Practice gives you the opportunity to gain valuable, real-life and hands-on experience. In the second year, from May, you will gain a minimum of three months hands-on experience from a choice of:
- A work internship where you will work within a business in a role linked to your degree or area of interest. This work experience is invaluable on your CV in helping to secure a job after you graduate.
- A university-based module, which brings a 'real-life' project into the classroom. Through a 'consultancy in practice' or 'entrepreneurship' module you will work alongside your peers, with the support of your lecturers, to develop your own business or find solutions for a 'live' business project.
This course, 'with business experience', aims to increase your employability and future career success. You'll graduate from this degree with both the knowledge from a three year degree as well as three months direct business or research experience; helping you to stand out from the crowd in the future.
What you will study
Take a look at some of the content and modules that you may have the opportunity to study on this course:
Year 1
Year 2
Final year
In Year 1 you will cover the business and legal environments in which accounting and finance operate. You'll study economics, organisational behaviour, law, quantitative analysis and develop your IT skills. You'll also be introduced to the basics of financial accounting and bookkeeping and you'll start your further study on Financial Reporting and Management Accounting. You will also begin the business readiness programme in preparation for your Business Practice in Year 2.
Core modules
Law for Accountants
30 credits
This module is designed to provide students with a general understanding of the English legal system and a more advanced understanding of the principal areas of law that may be encountered in business or professional practice and which are of concern to accounting and finance professionals. The module commences with a focus on sources of law and the court system in England and Wales, before considering the areas of contract and tort, which underlie business transactions. This module will then examine the legal formalities required for forming partnerships and companies and for the day-to-day management of companies. The legal implications of companies in difficulty will be considered as will various aspects of employment law. Criminal law will also be considered, in so far as it is relevant to accountants in business or practice, including fraud, insider dealing and money-laundering legislation.
Financial Accounting
30 credits
This module is designed to provide you with an introduction to financial accounting. The purpose and importance of financial accounting will be explained and you will learn how to produce financial statements from the original source documents through the recording of transactions to the final production of a profit and loss account and balance sheet for a non-complex business. The module will also explain the subjective nature of financial accounting with its need for professional judgement, and you will be introduced to the concepts and principles that underlie financial accounting and reporting. You will also gain practical experience of inputting data into Sage accounting software and using spreadsheets to prepare financial information.
Business Information Analysis
30 credits
This module is an introduction to the mutually dependent business topics of mathematics and information technology. It provides motivation for the use of these topics in business problem solving, and emphasises their need for one another. These days one would not use mathematics to solve a business problem without the aid of information technology, and equally importantly one cannot efficiently or effectively use information technology without mathematics. The module will be delivered using a problem-centric approach. The students will be required to design and create models using information technology to solve business-related problems.
The Accountant's Business Environment
30 credits
This module introduces Accounting and Finance students to theories and practices of business organisations. The internal structures and relations of businesses are covered as along with their interactions with the external economic, legal, social and technological environments. Explanations are offered of how the organisation of businesses is shaped by the behaviour of individuals, groups and organisations, and by the external influences of markets, industries and the macroeconomic environment. Special attention is given to considerations of businesses ethics and values. In the module students engage in activities that enable them to develop their academic and other relevant skills, which can be applied throughout their time at university and taken into their future work and organisations.
Business Readiness and Skills (Stage 1)
0 credits
This module consists of management and personal skills training, designed to prepare students for their placement and to improve their employability after graduation. Students will experience a wide range of opportunities to enhance their skills, ensure they make the most of their potential, gain the best possible placement, and give them an edge in the job market after graduation.
During their training, they will build an on-line profile indicating their progress with their skills development. Where appropriate, the skills work will be integrated with core curriculum activity. Students will work with faculty staff, including their personal tutor and the Business Experience Office, to identify their skills requirements. In addition to the standard skills required by employers, there will be skills development linked to specific subject areas, run during the fourth teaching term just before the placements begin.
In Year 2 there is a focus on the three main areas of accounting and finance: financial accounting, management accounting and finance. You can also study Auditing or Enterprise Finance and Management. In addition you will complete stage 2 of the business readiness programme. You will carry out your Business Practice in Year 2 from May, for a minimum of three months.
Core modules
Financial Reporting
30 credits
This module focuses on the financial reporting requirements of companies and builds on concepts already studied in the first-year Financial Accounting module. In this module students will consider the concepts and principles that govern the practices of financial accounting, and examine their application through a variety of financial reporting standards across a number of different accounting areas, from non-current assets to contingent liabilities, from inventories to pensions.
Management Accounting
30 credits
This module introduces you to management accounting and develops your knowledge and understanding of management accounting techniques to support management in planning, controlling and monitoring performance in a variety of business contexts.
Finance
30 credits
This is a core module on the Accounting and Finance undergraduate degree course. It provides an introduction to the theory and practice of corporate finance. It starts with an introduction to the financial world before moving on to an examination of a full range of debt and equity products. The course makes extensive use of Canvas, with all students expected to contribute to a range of discussion boards.
Business Readiness and Skills (Stage 2)
0 credits
This module consists of management and personal skills training, designed to prepare students for their placement and to improve their employability after graduation. Students will experience a wide range of opportunities to enhance their skills, ensure they make the most of their potential, gain the best possible placement, and give them an edge in the job market after graduation.
During their training, they will build an on-line profile indicating their progress with their skills development. Where appropriate, the skills work will be integrated with core curriculum activity. Students will work with faculty staff, including their personal tutor and the Business Experience Office, to identify their skills requirements. In addition to the standard skills required by employers, there will be skills development linked to specific subject areas, run during the fourth teaching term just before the placements begin.
Optional modules (choose 1)
Enterprise Finance and Management
30 credits
This module focuses on the specific accounting and management issues that affect entrepreneurial and smaller enterprises. There are special legal and accounting requirements for smaller businesses as well as unique financing opportunities which are considered. Knowledge gained from other modules is also applied to small business scenarios. The module also reinforces the knowledge and skills developed during the Business Experience programme, and highlights their importance in the world of enterprise.
Auditing
30 credits
Students studying this module will develop an understanding of the operational, practical and theoretical issues in auditing. Students will develop an awareness of the audit process, its limitations and the influence of regulation on audits. In order to balance theory with practice, the module will cover relevant international standards on auditing and relevant statutes such as the Companies Acts, Fraud Act, Money Laundering Act and Bribery Act. Case law, in so far as it affects auditing practices, will also be discussed. Ethics, corporate governance, environmental and social issues, fair values and information technology will also form part of the course curriculum.
Business Practice Options (choose 1)
Consultancy in Practice
60 credits
This module involves a real life client project highlighting the important role of the consultant in an organisation. Models from management literature are applied within practical settings in order to relate theory to practice. Students are provided with an opportunity to develop their management skills by undertaking a live project for an external client. This activity emphasises the importance of blending business, people and technology issues when analysing problem situations in a business context. The module is assessed by the group consultancy project report for the client, and an individual portfolio to include, an updated CV post experience, a self-reflection of the experience, client and expert feedback.
Work Placement
60 credits
The module consists of a period of placement in commercial, industrial, public sector or third sector organisations. In this module, students will have the opportunity to use the management skills acquired in their business readiness training and the conceptual and theoretical knowledge acquired through their study of the core curriculum. During their period of placement they will develop a portfolio demonstrating the work done and provide a summary of their experience in the form of a short report.
The module seeks to ensure that students reflect on and develop the skills they acquired during the Business Preparation module, in attaining their placements, and in the subsequent placement itself, with a view to using these skills in their final year. Developing an understanding of the theory of business practice and applying this in work situations is particularly emphasised. Students will be in regular contact with the Business & Professional Experience Team during their time on placement, either face to face or via Skype or telephone depending on location.
The Entrepreneurship Experience
60 credits
"A start-up is an organization formed to search for a repeatable and scalable business model". Steve Blank
This module is one of the options available to students for their Business Experience. This module allows students to work in a start-up environment, either on their own idea or with a firm in an existing incubator or accelerator.
Ideas are everywhere. Everyone has ideas. What matters in this competitive environment is skilful execution of ideas. But how and where do you start? And most importantly, how do you know if your idea is something that people want and need?
The most successful entrepreneurs understand that building a great business requires focus on understanding customers, a personal character of true grit, and willingness to learn and improve ideas through trial and error.
Students taking this module will be working on a real business start-up from the first day. Working in a start-up environment, either on campus or via an external incubator, students will develop and validate a business idea, developing concrete skills in marketing, finance, selling and operational skills relevant to their chosen market. Students working in the on-campus start-up will use iterative lean start-up methodology principles, which will gain them their reference customers and help them complete their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) as a culmination of the first stage. The experience can subsequently be extended into growing the start-up business.
In your final year there is a focus on the three main areas of accounting and finance: financial accounting, management accounting and finance. You will develop technical expertise and your ability to apply and evaluate theoretical concepts and ideas.
Core modules
Theory and Practice of Financial Reporting
30 credits
This capstone module considers financial reporting in a wider business and social context and brings together different threads from the previous modules across the range of subjects studied. The theoretical ideas unpinning financial regulation and reporting are evaluated, as are alternative methods of accounting. The wider business context is considered, such as the role of financial reporting within corporate governance and the importance of ethics and ethical behaviour. This module also widens the scope of financial reporting to larger reporting entities and considers in detail the ideas underpinning, and the reporting requirements for, reporting for a group of companies. The module encourages students to consider current issues which are debated by the media and professionals, in order to build an up-to-date knowledge base of the subject area. The assessment strategy demonstrates a strong focus on developing students' employability skills and graduate attributes through a series of presentations with individual feedback and support.
Corporate Finance
30 credits
The importance of companies in economic, social and personal life is indisputable and whatever role students will have in a company it is important to understand the nature of its economic decisions.This module builds on the foundations of BA5804 Finance to provide a comprehensive and thorough study of contemporary corporate finance. It incorporates the most recent theoretical and empirical developments in corporate finance and explores the traditional theoretical principles in force alongside the most recent developments. Students will be expected to get involved in discussions and debates of theoretical issues and their application in corporate life and they will be encouraged to develop and adopt a critical approach.
Advanced Management Accounting
30 credits
This module builds on the second-year module BA5803 Management Accounting and is designed to give undergraduate accounting students an advanced course exploring the provision and use of accounting information in management decision-making. Students will be involved in an active learning approach and will be expected to reflecton the purpose and uses of management accounting information, evaluate case study scenarios, discuss theoretical accounting concepts and utilise a range of practical techniques to solve advanced management accounting related issues.
Theory and Practice of Taxation
30 credits
Students studying this module will develop an understanding of the operational, practical and theoretical issues in personal and business taxation. They will develop skills of analysis and interpretation of information and communication of recommendations in a professional manner appropriate to the intended audience, eg. clients and HMRC.
Optional modules
Business Readiness Careers and Employability (Stage 3)
credits
This module consists of a series of events designed to support students through the final stage of employability. It will help students reflect on their placement experiences and to provide careers information to support their employability after graduation. This module will support the activities provided by the Careers and Employability Service.
During the year, they will build an on-line profile indicating their progress with their preparation to employment. Students will work with faculty staff, including their personal tutor and the Business Experience Team and the Careers and Employability team.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Foundation year - Business
If you would like to study this business degree at Kingston University but are not yet ready to join the first year of a BSc(Hons) course, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year.
Kingston Business School Accreditations
Kingston Business School holds the prestigious international accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) in recognition of the excellence of its business education. This accreditation has been earned by just 5% of the world's business schools and recognises the high quality and standard of our business degree offering.
Life on this course
Guest Alumni from Barclays & GSK
Kingston Business School graduates gave their advice and imparted words of wisdom to our first year students.
Networking ‘Speed Meet'
Students connect with potential employers from PwC, HSBC, Enterprise, Barclays Bank
Partial exemptions for professional exams
Upon graduation, if you choose to study further for a professional qualification, you may be eligible to apply for partial exemptions, which gives you credits for prior learning towards these exams and qualifications. Our association with these bodies is reviewed periodically.
This degree is currently accredited by the following professional bodies:
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
What our graduates say
After you graduate
Many of our graduates use their accounting and finance knowledge and skills in a variety of roles and organisations. For example, some work for Bloomberg, the NHS and Tesco. We've also had students gaining training contracts with the ‘Big Four', including Deloitte and KPMG.
Many graduates go on to secure professional accounting qualifications, whilst others have chosen to continue their education with postgraduate study.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Timetabled teaching and learning on this course includes lectures, workshops in computer labs, small group tutorials and seminars.
Who teaches this course?
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on this course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. Student academic mentors also provide support during certain sessions, under the supervision of the module leader.
The following group of staff members are currently involved in the delivery of different elements of this course. This pool is subject to change at any time within the academic year.
Course fees and funding
Key information set
The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
