MSc Strategic Accounting

The MSc in Strategic Accounting combines preparation for ACCA Membership with the development of essential skills for accounting in a global context with consideration to the findings of the research paper ‘Professional Accountants – the future: Drivers of Change and Future Skills’ (ACCA 2016).

Not only will you study modules that are 100% aligned to the ACCA syllabus there will be an opportunity for you to develop highly valued skills in the areas of Cyber Security and Data Analytics. This programme, therefore, helps prepare you both to become a professional accountant and to prepare you for the future challenges and opportunities that the profession will face.

The ACCA predict that the landscape in which accountants work will be impacted by ‘drivers’ – of regulation and governance, digital technology, expectation and globalisation – and that accountants who are able to integrate their technical and leadership competencies with these drivers will be highly valued by organisations worldwide.

In the final stage of this programme, you will choose to either complete a Dissertation, investigating an accounting issue of your choice, or a Strategic Business Project, where you work on a project relevant to the financial services sector in a work-based context. Completing the Strategic Business Project will cover part of ACCA’s 36-month Practical Experience Requirement.

The programme will develop a high level of accounting, leadership, business and professional skills, which are required for success in a career as a Chartered Certified Accountant. It will also ensure that students obtain a deeper understanding of the contemporary challenges and issues faced by accounting and business professionals.

ACCA

The ACCA’s strategic professional papers are embedded into the structure of the MSc.

The teaching and learning in the ACCA related modules (Strategic Business Reporting, Strategic Business Leader, Advanced Performance Management, Advanced Audit and Assurance, Advanced Taxation and Advanced Financial Management) will prepare you to take the ACCA exams in these papers.

During lectures, you will be taught the relevant knowledge for each of these subject areas and papers. In seminars, you will practice a wide range of exam-style questions of increasing complexity through a combination of tutor-led and self-led exercises to create a portfolio of evidence of your understanding and application of the subject area.

Students will be required to pay separately for the ACCA student membership, exemptions and external examination fees.

By completing this programme, you will achieve an MSc in Strategic Accounting and complete all of the Strategic Professional ACCA exams. However, please note you will need to sit the ACCA exams outside of the MSc Strategic Accounting to obtain the ACCA accreditation.

If you have an Accounting undergraduate degree you may already have exemptions to the ACCA Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers required to study this programme.

Teaching methods

You will be taught using a variety of teaching methods across the modules including lectures, seminars, case studies, computer simulations and group learning activities based on real-life data, totalling around 15 hours per week.

In addition to your time in class, you will be expected to engage in approximately 30 hours of self-study time per week.

You will have access to Blackboard, our online learning environment, where you can access module resources and reading lists that will assist your preparation for classes and self-study.

Assessment

Assessments are based on coursework, in-class tests and presentations.

Careers and progression

The programme provides a sound foundation for students wishing to commence or continue a career in the accounting profession whether in professional practice, industry, the public sector, the charity sector, financial services or professional services.

Aspirational career opportunities for ACCA qualified accountants would be senior positions which require individuals to apply technical financial knowledge with that of leadership, stakeholder management, creative and innovative thinking. The successful completion of the MSc in Strategic Accounting alongside ACCA membership will demonstrate these competencies and capabilities and how you as a professional can contribute to organisational performance.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have passed or gained exemption from all papers in the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills modules of the ACCA qualification by having gained:

• A 2:2 (second class) honours degree in Accounting or better from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
• An equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification in Accounting;

And

• Have completed enrolment as a student of ACCA

In exceptional circumstances, if you do not meet the entry requirements above but have substantial and significant experiential learning, you may be able to apply as a non-standard applicant.

If you have previously studied an undergraduate degree in Accounting it is possible you may already have exemptions to the ACCA’s Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers.

The exemptions to look out for are:

Applied Knowledge:

• Accounting in Business
• Management Accounting
• Financial Accounting

Applied Skills:

• Corporate and Business Law
• Performance Management
• Taxation
• Financial Reporting
• Audit and Assurance
• Financial Management

English language requirements

Applicants must satisfy our general entry requirements as well as meeting specific requirements.

The general entry requirements are any of the following:

• IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, or equivalent

If you do not have the required IELTS, you may be eligible to study on our Pre-Sessional programmes.

If you have IELTS 5.5, with a maximum one score of 5.0, you may be eligible to study on our Pre-Sessional Standard programme.

If you have IELTS 5.0, with a maximum one score of 4.5, you may be eligible to study on our Pre-Sessional Plus programme.

Tuition fees for 2020/21

UK/EU students

• £9,150

This course is eligible for postgraduate government funding. 

Please note that for UK/EU students who are financing their studies through the postgraduate loan, you will be required to make a deposit payment of £250 at enrolment, this amount will be deducted from the total tuition fee. This does not apply to progressing students who are currently studying at the undergraduate level with us.

International students

• £18,000

Please note that the fees outlined are for your tuition only and do not include the cost of any course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, accommodation etc. As an Ulster University London and Birmingham branch campus student you will also have access to our on-campus libraries and a range of e-learning resources.

The modules you will study may require you to purchase additional course textbooks and you should be prepared to buy some additional texts, we recommend allowing an additional £450 for the duration of your course.

In the modules that are aligned to the ACCA syllabus, you will receive study materials to support your exam preparation however, you may wish to purchase additional professional texts and practice books which are approximately £70 per paper.

Students will be required to pay separately for the ACCA student membership.

What does my tuition pay for?

• Your teaching in class – this includes seminars, lectures and tutorials
• Access to facilities including computers, Wi-Fi, printers, lockers, multi-faith rooms, quiet study space and social areas. 
• Our library service – both on-campus and an extensive online catalogue of resources
• Careers and Employability Service which provides help with CVs, applications and interview preparation through workshops, drop-ins and 1-2-1 appointments
• The ACE Team (Academic Community of Excellence) who are here to support you with your studies and assignments
• Students Activities Association (SAA) – who organise events on campus, discounted sightseeing trips and help students create and run societies