Accounting and Finance
Get ready for a career in the world of business. Learn the tricks of the trade in our Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab and work with leading FinTech applications.
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS 2025
Using hands-on practical experiences, our Accounting and Finance degree will equip you with the industry skills to enter the fields of accounting, finance and broader business.
Whether it’s practicing in the Bloomberg Financial Markets Labs in Cambridge or Chelmsford, or by taking part in our dedicated Accounting and Finance Student Conference in Peterborough, immersing yourself in live projects with businesses, or working on Xero™ accounting software, you'll develop a deep understanding of the tools you need to launch your career.
Alongside these practical opportunities, you'll learn all about the ever-changing world of business to enhance your professional development and employability.
Our Accounting and Finance degree is accredited by ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA and ICAEW.
You’ll be exempted from the nine Applied Knowledge and Skills papers of the ACCA qualification, four of the 15 exams of the ICAEW's ACA qualification, eight of the 16 exams of the CIMA qualification, and six of the 12 exams of the CIPFA qualification.
CISI Partner University - you'll have the opportunity to study and sit CISI exams plus be a member of CISI.
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Accounting, Economics and Finance students sharing what their course is actually like — in their own words.
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![Three students with the words "Student Guide" and "Finance"]()
Accounting, Economics and Finance students sharing what their course is actually like — in their own words.
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Experience practical learning with live briefs, where you’ll to tackle real challenges set by regional businesses
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Get hands-on accounting experience in our simulated yet authentic Bloomberg Financial Markets Labs or working on leading FinTech applications, including Xero™
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Gain professional insights and networking opportunities via our strong links with employers, through guest lectures, campus visits and industry engagement
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Cover a wide range of topics essential for success in business, ensuring you graduate with a fully contextual understanding of wider business functions
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Study on a course with professional accreditation, ensuring a quality education and the opportunity for exemptions in professional exams, giving you a head start towards professional qualifications.
Study at an award-winning university
We've received a Gold award for the quality of our education in a UK-wide review of teaching standards. We were also proud to be named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023.
Careers
Our Accounting and Finance degree course will set you up with all the theoretical and practical knowledge you need to work in finance or as an accountant after you graduate.
Whether it’s in our Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab in Chelmsford and Cambridge, working on leading FinTech applications in Peterborough, out on placement or through a live project, you’ll get the chance to put what you learn to the test throughout your course and gain valuable experience.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our renowned MSc Accounting and Finance or MSc Finance and Financial Technologies. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship, and get 20% off your fees.
Teaching and modules
You’ll start by developing a broad understanding of, and fundamental skills in financial analysis and management, global and international approaches, business law, and digital and marketing.
In years 2 and 3, you’ll deepen your knowledge and skills in financial management and reporting, encompassing performance management, UK taxation, governance and auditing, and capital markets and investment.
In Year 3, you’ll also complete a Major Project. As part of an interdisciplinary team, you’ll use everything you’ve learned on the course to address a current issue in business, and present your findings.
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Rise to the challenge of thriving and succeeding in the constantly changing world of business: The "Elevate" learning experience will amplify your potential so you stand out to employers. Find out more about Elevate.
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See our Business students in action they develop, pitch and launch their own product or services at our Winter Market as part of their degrees.
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At ARU Peterborough you have access to our immersive, extended reality learning space.
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Benefit from smaller classes sizes at ARU Peterborough, where staff members know your name and are always ready to answer your questions.
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![Elevate logo]()
Rise to the challenge of thriving and succeeding in the constantly changing world of business: The "Elevate" learning experience will amplify your potential so you stand out to employers. Find out more about Elevate. -
![Three students posing at an indoor stall at the ARU Chelmsford Winter Market]()
See our Business students in action they develop, pitch and launch their own product or services at our Winter Market as part of their degrees. -
![Students looking at financial displays projected against the walls of a room]()
At ARU Peterborough you have access to our immersive, extended reality learning space. -
![A lecturer leaning over to help two students sitting at a table]()
Benefit from smaller classes sizes at ARU Peterborough, where staff members know your name and are always ready to answer your questions.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Financial and Management Accounting with Digital Systems (30 credits)
- How to do Business (30 credits)
- Financial Environment and Analysis (15 credits)
- International Business and Market Dynamics (15 credits)
- Organisational Behaviour and AI (Future of Work) (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Financial Management (30 credits)
- Introduction to Financial Reporting (15 credits)
- Performance Management
- Taxation in the UK
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Corporate Governance and Auditing
- International Financial Reporting (30 credits)
- Capital Markets and Investment (30 credits)
- Undergraduate Major Project (30 credits)
- Global Business Environment and International Strategy (30 credits)
- Organisational Behaviour (15 credits)
- Introduction to Business Contracts and the Law (15 credits)
- Introduction to Financial Analysis and Management (30 credits)
- Digital Business and Principles of Marketing (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Performance Management (30 credits)
- Financial Management (30 credits)
- Taxation in the UK (30 credits)
- Introduction to Financial Reporting (15 credits)
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Capital Markets and Investment (30 credits)
- Corporate Governance and Auditing (30 credits)
- International Financial Reporting (30 credits)
- Undergraduate Major Project (30 credits)
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
- Work Placement School of Economics Finance and Law
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Foundation in Business
- Financial and Management Accounting with Digital Systems (30 credits)
- How to do Business (30 credits)
- Financial Environment and Analysis (15 credits)
- International Business and Market Dynamics (15 credits)
- Organisational Behaviour and AI (Future of Work) (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Financial Management (30 credits)
- Introduction to Financial Reporting (15 credits)
- Performance Management
- Principles of Tax Law
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Corporate Governance and Auditing
- International Financial Reporting (30 credits)
- Capital Markets and Investment (30 credits)
- Undergraduate Major Project (30 credits)
- Literacies in Higher Education
- Contemporary Issues
- Extended Project
- Global Business Environment and International Strategy (30 credits)
- Organisational Behaviour (15 credits)
- Introduction to Business Contracts and the Law (15 credits)
- Introduction to Financial Analysis and Management (30 credits)
- Digital Business and Principles of Marketing (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Performance Management (30 credits)
- Financial Management (30 credits)
- Taxation in the UK (30 credits)
- Introduction to Financial Reporting (15 credits)
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Capital Markets and Investment (30 credits)
- Corporate Governance and Auditing (30 credits)
- International Financial Reporting (30 credits)
- Undergraduate Major Project (30 credits)
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Jassem AloklaSenior Lecturer
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Dr Lenka KrupováSenior Lecturer
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Dr Albahlol AlayatSenior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance
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Vijay TohaniSenior Lecturer
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Dr Wing Hei SaoLecturer
Facilities
As an Accounting and Finance student you'll benefit from:
- physical or virtual access to our Bloomberg Financial Markets Labs in Cambridge and Chelmsford to put your new-found knowledge into practice in a fully simulated and safe environment
- active collaborative learning, which includes digitally supported learning with online screencasts providing background material to support face-to-face discussion.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Apply for Accounting and Finance
UK students
International students
Official student data
See student feedback on this course from Discover Uni.