The MSc Professional Accounting is a Master's degree that can be studied over 12 months or 24 months.
You'll develop advanced knowledge of accounting, looking beyond the preparation of financial statements to understand how accounting supports decision-making, organisations and wider society.
Why this course
The MSc Professional Accounting at Essex will advance your accounting knowledge in both depth and scope. You'll take a critical approach to financial reporting and management accounting, developing the knowledge to support financial decision-making in your future career.
You'll explore the role of accountability and ethical decision-making in business, considering how accounting and financial decisions can positively impact organisations and society.
Who should apply
Future accounting professionals looking to advance their knowledge and skills
Analytical thinkers interested in using financial information to support business decisions
Future professionals interested in financial reporting, management accounting and corporate reporting
Those looking to understand the role of ethics and accountability in accounting
What you'll learn
Financial reporting: Develop advanced knowledge of financial reporting and its role within organisations
Management accounting: Explore how management accounting supports organisational decision-making
Corporate reporting and analysis: Understand how corporate information is reported and analysed
Financial decision-making: Explore how financial information informs business decisions
Management and strategy: Develop your understanding of management and strategic decision-making
Accounting research: Build your understanding of research methods in accounting
Your learning experience
Critical thinking: Take a critical approach to financial reporting and management accounting
Financial decision-making: Develop the knowledge to understand and support financial decisions within organisations
Ethical accounting: Consider accountability, ethical management and the wider impact of financial decisions
International perspective: Explore accounting within shifting global markets and prepare to work in international environments
Careers and outcomes
An MSc Professional Accounting can prepare you for careers in:
Accountancy: Develop advanced accounting knowledge for professional roles
Financial analysis: Use financial information and analysis to support business decisions
Management: Apply your accounting and financial knowledge within management roles
Public administration: Apply your financial and accounting knowledge within public sector organisations
Employers of Accounting graduates
Graduates from Essex Business School have progressed to organisations including:
“I have developed an interest in environmental accounting and business sustainability matters. This mainly because I was exposed to "Issues in Financial Reporting" module which discuss variety of very recent topics in accounting. Moreover, there a supportive atmosphere for environment friendly practices and concepts at the University of Essex, this further motivated to conduct research in environmental accounting and business sustainability.”
Mohammed Solyman Yousef Omran, MSc Accounting
Course content
Course structure
We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists. Please be aware that we are planning changes to our first year to make it more relevant to your chosen course.
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components and modules explained
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
Status
What this means
Core
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
HR
100
4
FY
The department or school the module will be taught by.
In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.
This module equips you with a critical understanding of research methods and methodologies in the field of accounting. You develop the skills needed to explore issues in accounting and identify, choose and implement research designs and strategies.
Build the advanced financial reporting expertise required for professional accounting practice. This module develops the principles and techniques needed to account for complex financial reporting items and prepare consolidated financial statements in line with International Financial Reporting Standards. You’ll study key areas such as revenue, leases, financial instruments and taxation, alongside group accounting topics including business combinations and joint arrangements, equipping you with the skills essential for professional accounting qualifications and advanced accounting careers.
Management accounting provides information required for decision-making, planning and control and cost management. You examine a range of contemporary issues in management accounting such as activity-based costing, strategic management accounting and other management accounting issues. You also evaluate contemporary approaches of management control theories to understand the current practices of management accounting locally and globally.
This module introduces you to financial reporting, governance, regulation, and analysis of financial statements. You also gain an understanding of the role of published financial statements in aiding users in their decision-making.
This module introduces you to management accounting and management control principles, investment appraisal and financial control principles, and market and managerial behaviours. You examine a range of issues that relate to financial and managerial decision-making, including incremental costing, budgeting, activity-based costing, capital structure and long term financing, and financial analysis of commercial projects.
This module is designed to encourage students to reflect on a variety of issues relating to management and business strategy. It will introduce students to the basics of management such as dealing with teams, culture and organisational management structures. It will then introduce students to managing strategically, covering topics that involve the analysis of the external and internal environments of the business as well as avenues for implementation.
Consequently, the module offers an insight into a range of current business issues, management dilemmas, ethical considerations, and general governance issues relating to the strategic direction of organisations. Overall, the module provides an introduction to management and strategy and a critical examination of its application in practice.
Build the academic, research and professional skills needed to succeed at postgraduate level and beyond. This module supports your transition to master’s study by developing independent learning, research and critical thinking skills, alongside ethical and effective use of AI as a learning tool. You’ll also enhance your employability and professional practice, gaining the confidence and capabilities required for graduate-level roles and advanced academic work.
You learn via a combination of lectures, seminars, group and individual tasks and directed independent study.
Tailor the content of your course to more closely fit your interests and aspirations.
Courses focus on practical applications and links with industry.
We run an open seminar series.
Assessment
Regular assessment is by coursework, presentations, case studies, group work, tests and examinations
Dissertation
You submit a 15,000 word dissertation.
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
A 2:2 degree in any discipline. Your degree must include:
One module in Financial Accounting
AND
One module in Management Accounting
A professional qualification such as ACCA, CIMA or any other Professional accounting qualification recognised by IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) may compensate for the absence of an academic degree equivalent. To see if your professional qualification is recognised, click here: IFAC website
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English
pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:
tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff
If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.
We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.
For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and
Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
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