Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Accounting and Finance

University of South Wales - Treforest

USW's multi-accredited BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance degree offers learners the chance to develop and practice their technical knowledge, skills and expertise, while gaining professional recognition from the world’s leading accountancy bodies. Topics covered include financial reporting, management accounting, corporate finance, taxation, audit, and computerized accounting systems.

During the first year, students will covers subject like financial accounting, management accounting, an introduction to finance, quantitative techniques and data analysis, the business environment, and business and corporate law. They will have the chance to gain a CIMA-accredited certificate in Sage, which is the UK’s biggest accounting software provider. 

The second year studies include financial reporting, performance measurement and control, audit and assurance, corporate finance, digital accounting and a specialist employability module where learners can develop their employability skills and work on live projects with real world businesses.

The final year explores advanced aspects of accounting and has specialist optional modules, including taxation, forensic accounting and financial trading and investment, where students can use USW's simulation trading room on campus. Upon choosing the cases in audit module, students will have the opportunity to work with a number of third sector organizations and carry out assurance engagements with actual clients from this sector.

Students can also apply for a one year work placement after their second year of study or short-term placement (up to three months) between their second and third year. Longer work placements are offered with a number of organizations, and in recent years this has included Atradius – one of the world’s largest credit insurers, Alcatel-Lucent – a global communications industry leader, and the Welsh Government. 

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has fully accredited this degree course, so students can gain up to the maximum exemptions from a professional qualification when they graduate. USW is a recognised Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) 'Partner in Learning' and, depending on its module choices, learners can gain exemptions from ICAEW, with further exemptions offered towards the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants (CIPFA) examinations.