By Firoz Jetha, Academic Coach & Career Adviser

If you’re considering an Accounting and Finance degree, the short answer is that it can be an excellent choice — but it is not automatically the best route into finance or accountancy.

For some students, it offers a practical, career-focused degree with strong links into accounting, corporate finance, banking, consulting and professional qualifications such as ACA, ACCA and CIMA. For others, Economics, a specialist Finance course or a high-quality degree apprenticeship may provide a better long-term fit.

That distinction matters. I have advised students and families on university and career choices for more than 30 years, and one of the most common mistakes I see is choosing a degree because it appears “safe” or employable without first asking what career the student is actually trying to build.

Accounting and Finance Degree: Quick Answer

• Accounting and Finance can be an excellent degree for accounting, corporate finance and commercial careers, but it is not the best route for everyone.
• You do not need an Accounting and Finance degree to become an accountant. Many employers recruit graduates from other subjects and then provide professional training.
• Maths requirements vary significantly. Some universities do not require A-level Maths, while LSE currently requires an A in Mathematics for its BSc Accounting and Finance.
• Economics or Finance may sometimes offer broader options for students primarily targeting areas such as investment banking, markets or strategy consulting.
• University choice is about more than ranking. Professional exemptions, placements, internships, employer access and course content can all matter.
• A strong degree apprenticeship can be a genuine alternative to university, particularly where it combines a leading employer, substantial work experience and professional training.

The key question is therefore not simply whether Accounting and Finance is a good degree.

It is whether it is the strongest route for the individual student and the career they may eventually want.

Is Accounting and Finance a Good Degree?

Yes — Accounting and Finance can be a very good degree, particularly for students interested in business, financial decision-making and how organisations operate.

It is relatively practical. Typical courses may include financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, economics, taxation, audit and business strategy, although the exact balance varies substantially between universities.

That practical focus can provide graduates with a useful understanding of how businesses measure performance, allocate resources and make financial decisions.

Graduate outcomes also demonstrate a strong connection with financial careers. Current Prospects data, based on the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey, shows 65.4% of Accounting and Finance graduates in employment 15 months after graduation, with a further 18.1% combining work and further study. Prospects also reports that 58% are working across occupations including chartered and certified accountancy, finance and investment analysis, financial administration, bookkeeping/payroll and taxation.

However, there are two important qualifications.

First, you do not need an Accounting and Finance degree to become an accountant. Many graduate programmes recruit students from a wide range of subjects before training them towards qualifications such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA.

Second, Accounting and Finance does not automatically give you an advantage over every other route into finance. A strong Economics or Finance degree — or several years of high-quality experience through a degree apprenticeship — may position a student equally well or sometimes better for particular careers.

The more useful question is:

Is Accounting and Finance the strongest route for this student, given their university options and the career they may want?

For someone interested in audit, management accounting, corporate finance, FP&A or commercial finance, the answer may well be yes.

For a student primarily targeting highly quantitative Economics, investment banking, strategy consulting or an exceptional degree apprenticeship, another route may deserve serious consideration.

Who Is an Accounting and Finance Degree Best Suited To?

Accounting and Finance tends to suit students who enjoy working with numbers but also want to understand how businesses make decisions.

Much of the quantitative work is applied: interpreting financial information, analysing performance, working with ratios, modelling outcomes and understanding the financial consequences of business decisions.

In my experience, students often suit this degree particularly well where they combine numerical confidence with a genuine interest in business and commercial problem-solving.

It may suit you if you:

• enjoy working with numbers, data and structured problems;
• are interested in how companies make money, control costs and allocate resources;
• like combining technical knowledge with commercial judgement;
• are considering accounting, corporate finance, consulting, banking or commercial careers;
• want relatively clear professional pathways; or
• are attracted to qualifications such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA.

I would be more cautious where a student is choosing Accounting and Finance simply because it appears secure or because they have been told that “finance pays well“.

If your real interest is economic theory, markets, mathematics, technology or another specialist area, a different degree may give you stronger foundations and greater long-term flexibility.

The degree choice should follow the career thinking — not the other way around.

What Do You Study on an Accounting and Finance Degree?

The exact structure varies by university, but most degrees combine technical accounting with broader financial and commercial subjects.

Typical areas include:

• financial accounting;
• management accounting;
• corporate finance;
• economics;
• taxation;
• audit and assurance;
• business strategy;
• financial reporting;
• statistics or quantitative methods; and
• sometimes investment, banking or risk-management modules.

Some courses lean heavily towards accounting and professional exemptions. Others include substantially more finance, economics or quantitative work.

That difference matters.

Two courses with similar names can prepare students for quite different careers.

A student interested in audit and chartered accountancy may value professional accreditation and exemptions. Someone aiming for investment analysis or banking may prefer more corporate finance, valuation, markets and quantitative content.

The degree title matters less than what you actually study and where it can realistically take you.

How Difficult Is an Accounting and Finance Degree?

Accounting and Finance can be demanding, but I would not describe it as universally one of the hardest degrees.

Difficulty depends on the university, module mix and student’s individual strengths.

Students may encounter technical accounting rules, economics, statistics, financial analysis, essays, group work and examinations.

For many students the main challenge is not advanced mathematics but consistency. Accounting topics often build on one another, so falling behind early can make later material harder.

In my experience, organised students who work methodically can perform very well even if they were not the strongest mathematicians at school.

The more useful question is therefore:

Does the way this degree is difficult suit the way I learn and think?

How Much Maths Is Involved in Accounting and Finance?

There is maths, but much of it is applied rather than highly abstract.

Students may encounter:

• percentages and ratios;
• algebra;
• statistics;
• financial formulas;
• forecasting;
• investment appraisal;
• probability;
• financial modelling; and
• data analysis.

Finance-heavy courses can be more quantitative, particularly where they include econometrics, derivatives, investment analysis or advanced corporate finance.

Do You Need A-Level Maths for Accounting and Finance?

Not for every course — but this is an area students need to investigate before choosing their A-levels.

Requirements vary substantially.

LSE, for example, currently asks for A*AA including an A in Mathematics for its BSc Accounting and Finance and explicitly states that Mathematics is essential because of the analytical nature of the programme.

In my experience, this is an easy detail for otherwise very strong students to overlook.

A student may decide relatively late that Accounting and Finance, Economics or Finance appeals to them, only to discover that their A-level combination has already ruled out universities they would otherwise have been capable of applying to.

That is why I do not regard A-level subject choice as separate from university and career planning.

If these degrees are realistic possibilities, check the requirements of several potential target universities before finalising A-level subjects.

Can You Study Accounting and Finance If Maths Is Not Your Strongest Subject?

Potentially, yes.

You do not need to be an exceptional mathematician to succeed in accounting. Much of the subject involves interpretation, judgement and applying financial principles correctly rather than advanced theoretical mathematics.

You should, however, be reasonably comfortable with numbers, data and structured problem-solving.

What Jobs Can You Get With an Accounting and Finance Degree?

One strength of the degree is the breadth of careers it can support.

Accounting and professional services

Typical routes include:

• audit;
• tax;
• financial accounting;
• forensic accounting;
• advisory; and
• assurance.

Graduates frequently progress towards professional qualifications such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA.

Corporate and commercial finance

Other routes include:

• management accounting;
• FP&A;
• finance business partnering;
• treasury;
• commercial finance;
• budgeting and forecasting; and
• corporate development.

These careers demonstrate why modern accounting and finance is not simply about recording historic transactions. Many roles are forward-looking and involve helping management make commercial decisions.

Banking, investment and financial markets

Depending on the degree, university and experience gained alongside it, graduates may pursue:

• investment banking;
• asset management;
• investment analysis;
• wealth management;
• risk;
• banking; and
• financial research.

These careers are highly competitive. Degree subject alone rarely determines the outcome: university, academic performance, internships, technical knowledge, work experience and recruitment preparation can all matter.

Consulting and broader graduate careers

Accounting and Finance graduates also enter consulting, strategy, business analysis, operations and general commercial graduate programmes.

Prospects similarly notes that many employers accept applications from graduates from any degree subject, which is another reason not to view Accounting and Finance as the only entry point into financial careers.

Do You Need an Accounting and Finance Degree to Become an Accountant?

No.

Many accountancy firms recruit students from a wide range of degree subjects and provide the professional training afterwards.

So why choose Accounting and Finance?

Potential benefits include:

• relevant technical foundations;
• greater familiarity with later professional study;
• potential professional-exam exemptions;
• access to relevant placements and internships; and
• an opportunity to explore different accounting and finance disciplines before committing to a career.

Professional exemptions are worth investigating because universities differ.

Warwick’s Accounting and Finance with Placement Year BSc, for example, states that particular module combinations can lead to exemptions from a number of professional accountancy examinations.

LSE’s Accounting and Finance programme is accredited for exemptions from professional examinations with bodies including ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW.

But I would not choose a university simply because it offers the greatest number of exemptions.

Course quality, employer access, placement opportunities, university fit and longer-term ambitions can all matter more.

Professional arrangements can also change, so students should verify the latest position with both the university and professional body.

Accounting and Finance vs Finance: What’s the Difference?

The two overlap but are not identical.

Accounting and Finance	Finance
Financial reporting	Corporate finance
Management accounting	Investments
Audit and taxation	Markets
Regulation	Valuation
Professional accountancy pathways	Portfolio management and risk

If someone is interested in accountancy, audit, commercial finance or ACA/ACCA/CIMA pathways, Accounting and Finance may be more direct.

If their interests are predominantly markets, investment, valuation or asset management, a specialist Finance degree may deserve closer consideration.

Course content should always be checked because programmes vary materially between universities.

Accounting and Finance vs Economics: Which Is Better?

Neither is universally better.

Accounting and Finance is generally more applied and professionally focused. Economics is broader and often more analytical or quantitative.

Accounting and Finance	Economics
More vocational	Broader analytical framework
Strong accounting/corporate finance links	Strong banking, consulting, economics and policy links
May provide accountancy exemptions	Usually fewer direct accountancy exemptions
Applied numerical work	Often more mathematical
Clear professional-accountancy pathways	Potentially broader analytical optionality

I would be cautious about choosing Accounting and Finance solely because it sounds more directly connected to “finance”.

This is a misstep I have seen students make.

For someone whose principal ambition is investment banking, strategy consulting or another highly analytical career, a strong Economics degree may sometimes preserve broader long-term options.

That does not mean Accounting and Finance prevents entry into banking or consulting.

The point is that a student should not assume that the degree containing the word “finance” is automatically the strongest preparation for every finance career.

I start instead with the destination:

What career is the student actually considering? Which universities are realistic? How strong is their Maths profile? And how much flexibility do they want to preserve?

Accounting and Finance Degree vs Degree Apprenticeship

For students considering professional careers, this has become an increasingly important comparison.

Traditional degree	Degree apprenticeship
Full university experience	Full-time professional experience
Greater early flexibility	Earlier career specialisation
Tuition/student finance usually required	Employer-funded study
Internships need to be secured separately	Experience built into the programme
Professional qualification may follow	Professional training may be integrated
Large graduate recruitment market	Established relationship with employer

A strong degree apprenticeship can offer salary, employer-funded study and several years of work experience.

University can offer greater academic and career flexibility, the wider university experience and access to a broad graduate market.

The quality of the actual opportunity matters more than the label.

I have seen both routes work very well.

Within my own family, one son turned down a Russell Group university offer to join Deloitte through the degree-apprenticeship route. Another followed the traditional university route through LSE before joining Deloitte’s Finance graduate programme.

The lesson is not that one route beats the other.

The quality of the opportunity and its fit with the individual matter more than whether it is labelled university or apprenticeship.

Does the University You Choose Matter?

Yes — but not simply because one university sits several places higher in a league table.

For Accounting and Finance I would examine:

• course content;
• professional exemptions;
• placements;
• internship access;
• employer relationships;
• graduate destinations;
• quantitative content;
• location;
• entry requirements; and
• personal academic fit.

Placement year or summer internships?

Universities approach employability differently.

Warwick offers a dedicated four-year Accounting and Finance with Placement Year BSc that includes a year in industry. Warwick Business School also lists graduate employers including Barclays, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, EY, HSBC, JP Morgan, KPMG and PwC.

LSE follows a different model with a three-year Accounting and Finance programme.

That does not make a three-year course inherently weaker.

At universities with strong employer access, summer internships, spring programmes and employer networking can become central to the student’s career development.

The correct question is therefore:

How do students on this particular course gain meaningful professional experience before graduating?

Where there is no placement year, I would encourage students targeting competitive banking, finance or consulting careers to think about internships very early rather than leaving employability until final year.

What Should You Look for in an Accounting and Finance Degree?

When comparing courses, I would look at seven things:

1. Course content

Does it fit the career direction being considered?

2. Professional accreditation and exemptions

Which exemptions are actually available, and are they relevant?

3. Professional experience

Placement year, summer internships, spring weeks, employer projects or other opportunities?

4. Employer access

Which firms recruit from the university and interact with its students?

5. Graduate destinations

Where do graduates from the specific course actually go?

6. Entry requirements and academic fit

Is this a course on which the student has a realistic chance of thriving?

7. Longer-term flexibility

If I change my mind at 21, what options will this degree still leave open?

That final question is often under-appreciated.

What Professional Qualifications Can Follow?

For many careers, university is only the first stage of professional development.

Common accountancy qualifications include:

• ACA — particularly associated with chartered accountancy, audit and professional practice;
• ACCA — a broad internationally recognised accountancy pathway; and
• CIMA — particularly relevant to management accounting, commercial finance and business decision-making.

The mistake is asking:

Which qualification is best?

The better question is:

Which qualification is most appropriate for the role I want?

Students interested primarily in investment analysis or asset management may later consider CFA rather than — or sometimes alongside — traditional accountancy qualifications. Prospects also identifies CFA among common further professional-study options for Accounting and Finance graduates.

Read our guide to ACA vs ACCA vs CIMA.

You may also find our guide to the pros and cons of CIMA useful.

Pros and Cons of an Accounting and Finance Degree

Potential advantages	Potential drawbacks
Practical relevance to business and finance	Not required for many financial careers
Clear accounting/corporate-finance pathways	Professional qualifications may still follow
Potential professional-exam exemptions	More specialised than some alternatives
Relevant placement/internship opportunities	Opportunities vary materially by university
Strong commercial and financial skills	A strong apprenticeship may provide earlier experience
Careers extend beyond accountancy	Economics/Finance may better suit some career ambitions

Its value therefore depends on who is taking it, where they study and what they want to do afterwards.

Who Should Choose Accounting and Finance?

I would look particularly seriously at the degree for someone who:

• enjoys numbers in a commercial context;
• wants to understand how businesses make financial decisions;
• is considering accountancy, corporate finance, FP&A or related careers;
• prefers applied rather than highly theoretical study;
• values clear professional pathways; or
• has identified a course with strong employers, placements or professional accreditation.

I would compare alternatives carefully where:

• the student is choosing it mainly because it sounds safe;
• their real interest is highly quantitative Economics;
• their principal goal is investment banking or strategy consulting;
• they hold an exceptional degree-apprenticeship offer;
• they dislike accounting-style technical work; or
• they want maximum academic flexibility.

My View as an Academic Coach & Career Adviser

I would not recommend Accounting and Finance simply because someone tells me they want a “good job in finance”.

Finance is too broad for that.

A prospective chartered accountant, commercial finance professional, investment banker and economic consultant might all describe their ambition as “finance”, yet the optimal academic route could be quite different.

I therefore look first at:

• academic strengths;
• mathematical profile;
• realistic universities;
• degree-apprenticeship opportunities;
• internships and work experience;
• likely professional qualifications; and
• desired long-term flexibility.

I have seen students focus heavily on:

Which degree should I apply for?

when the more valuable question is:

What combination of degree, university, experience and professional qualification puts me in the strongest position five or ten years from now?

Sometimes Accounting and Finance is the answer.

Sometimes Economics, Finance or another degree is stronger.

And sometimes the best route is not a traditional university degree at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Accounting and Finance a good degree?

Yes. It can be an excellent choice for accounting, corporate finance and commercial careers, but it is not automatically the best finance-related degree for every student.

Is Accounting and Finance difficult?

It can be demanding because technical topics build on one another, although difficulty varies considerably between universities and students.

Is there a lot of maths?

There is quantitative work, but much of it is applied. Finance-heavy programmes may include substantially more statistics, modelling and quantitative methods.

Do you need A-level Maths?

Not for every university. LSE, for example, currently requires A*AA including an A in Mathematics for BSc Accounting and Finance.

Can you become an accountant without this degree?

Yes. Many firms recruit graduates from a broad range of subjects and provide professional training afterwards.

Is Accounting and Finance better than Economics?

Neither is universally better. Accounting and Finance is more applied and professionally aligned; Economics can offer greater analytical breadth and may suit some banking, consulting and economics careers better.

Is a degree apprenticeship better?

Not automatically. A strong apprenticeship can provide exceptional experience and financial advantages, while university can preserve greater academic and career flexibility.

Does university choice matter?

Yes. Employer access, placements, internships, professional exemptions and course content can differ considerably.

Final Thoughts

Accounting and Finance can be an excellent degree, but I would not choose it simply because it appears practical, secure or directly linked to finance.

Compare the routes, not merely the course names:

Accounting and Finance, Economics, Finance, degree apprenticeships and the professional qualifications that may eventually follow.

The strongest decision is the one that creates the best long-term platform for the individual.

Need an Independent View on Your Options?

If you are deciding between university courses, a degree apprenticeship or different finance and professional career routes and would value an experienced, independent perspective, you are welcome to email me at team@academiccoaching.co.uk with a brief outline of your situation.

I can then let you know whether I may be able to help and what the most appropriate next step would be.

About the Author

Firoz Jetha is an Academic Coach & Career Adviser with more than 30 years of experience across professional practice and education. He holds an MBA in International Management, completed the CIMA professional qualification with first-time passes throughout, and has professional experience with PwC and British Airways.

He advises students, graduates and families on university choices, finance careers, professional qualifications, degree apprenticeships and longer-term academic and career strategy.