Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences, Essex Business School. This one-year full-time Master of Science (MSc) program is designed to provide a comprehensive and critical understanding of professional accounting, going beyond mere financial statement preparation to focus on ethical conduct, financial decision-making, and societal impact. The curriculum covers core areas such as: Research Methods in Accounting, Advanced Financial Reporting, Management Accounting, Corporate Reporting and Analysis, Financial Decision Making, and Management and Strategy. Students will develop skills in analysing quantitative and financial data, working with specialist software (like SAGE Business Cloud, with an opportunity for official SAGE Certificate), and presenting data effectively. The program is specifically designed to provide significant exemptions from professional accounting body examinations. It is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations, potentially from all ACCA Applied Knowledge and Skills papers (F1-F9). It is also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and recognised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) as an ICAEW Partner in Learning, offering exemptions towards their professional examinations. The course takes a critical view of accounting, preparing graduates to lead financial decision-making in a global context.

Career options for graduates are diverse and strong within the accounting and finance sectors, both in professional practice and industry. The University of Essex's forward-thinking environment and world-leading research excellence in social sciences prepare students for impactful roles. Graduates are well-prepared for roles such as: Chartered Accountant, Financial Analyst, Auditor, Tax Consultant, Business Analyst, Management Accountant, Financial Manager, and roles in corporate finance, business recovery, and insolvency. Graduates have gone on to work for high-profile organizations and innovative SMEs including KPMG, EY, Grant Thornton LLP, Lloyds Banking Group, Hiscox, ERS Insurance Group, and various government and non-profit organizations. The significant exemptions from ACCA, CIMA, and ICAEW examinations provide a fast-track to professional qualification, enhancing employability in accountancy firms, banks, insurance companies, and finance departments of various businesses globally.

The University of Essex provides a dynamic, forward-thinking environment with a diverse international community, fostering a global perspective in its students. Essex is a centre of world-leading research excellence for the social sciences, ensuring that teaching is informed by cutting-edge insights and real-world relevance, particularly within the Essex Business School. The university offers a vibrant campus life with a location close to beautiful countryside that's only an hour away from London by train, offering a balance of quiet study and city access. The Essex Business School is committed to ethical management and sustainable business practices, which are integrated into the curriculum. Its strong links with professional accounting bodies and the provision of significant exemptions from professional exams are a major advantage for career progression.