Accounting for Business
In a nutshell
Accounting and Finance at Salford Business School helps you develop the essential skills and knowledge for a high-level career in accountancy, finance, banking and insurance as well as general management positions.
With a curriculum that is career-focused and industry-informed, this is a challenging programme designed to provide you with a thorough understanding of accounting and finance within the wider context of business and management.
The programme is accredited by the major industry bodies so you know that what you learn is aligned with industry standards and you can benefit for exemptions from some professional exams. Our academic and professional services teams are here to support you throughout your degree. In 2019, 100% of students asked agreed they have been able to contact staff when they needed to (University of Salford analysis of unpublished NSS 2019 data).
The Foundation Year of the four-year programme aims to provide understanding of the key subjects in accounting and finance.
You will:
- Learn the essentials to get you started on your accounting and finance career
- Gain a solid business education so you understand how accounting and finance fits in the wider context
- Develop the practical skills employers are looking for
options available
Course accreditations





This is for you if...
You love numbers
You want a paid work placement as part of your degree
You are looking for a degree accredited by the major industry organisations
All about the course
Like all programmes at Salford Business School, the modules delivered on the Accounting and Finance syllabus are designed around the current needs of employers. With the opportunity for all students to complete a paid work placement between their second and third years, you will enter the world of work with an in-depth knowledge of the industry and of key business concepts.
The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants (CIPFA), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Our relationships with these professional accounting bodies ensure the modules you study are closely aligned with current best practice. These partnerships mean that you benefit from exemptions from professional accountancy exams as well as the opportunity to join the ACCA Accelerate programme.
Following completion of your foundation year, you will gain core knowledge that will be developed upon throughout the remainder of the course. You will also develop other skills that are useful in the fast-paced world of finance and beyond.
With optional modules that allow you to specialise, Sage training, professional mentoring and the use of facilities such as our Bloomberg suite, this programme meets the needs of both employers seeking high-calibre candidates and graduates aspiring to rewarding careers.
The Professional Development module in the second year helps you to develop the skills you need – presentation skills, networking, interview techniques – to move easily into successful employment.
We strongly encourage all our students to take up the opportunity of an industry placement year between the second and third year of study. You can practise the skills you have already learned, develop your professional network and students who have done work experience tend to get better final year results. During this year, you will not pay University fees and you will be paid for your work.
Through the Study Abroad programme, you could choose to spend your second year studying on an international exchange with one of our global partner institutions in Europe, the US or the rest of the world.
As an Accounting and Finance student at Salford Business School, you’ll have the opportunity to join ACCA Accelerate and leap ahead in your journey to becoming a chartered, certified finance professional.
Accounting for Business provides you with an understanding of the role and nature of accounting. You will be introduced to the idea of financial and management accounting and learn about key accounting functions within contemporary business.
Foundations of Business
This module will introduce you to key concepts of business and management. You will develop an understanding of the key functions used within contemporary businesses and learn about the tools and techniques used in business to conduct analysis and plan.
Foundations of Human Resource Management
Foundations of HRM provides you with a basic introduction to Human Resource Management. You will learn about the five key areas of the HRM discipline: employee resourcing, employee reward, performance management, employee relations and employee training and development.
IT for Accountants
In IT for Accountants, you will learn about the importance of IT systems in accounting and develop your skills in spreadsheet software.
Academic and Personal Skills
This module aims to ensure that you develop the key academic and personal skills required for successful study at higher education level.
Financial and Management Accounting
This module gives you a theoretical and practical introduction to financial accounting and management accounting. Upon completion, you will have an understanding of basic financial and management accounting methods, financial statements and the major problems associated with interpreting accounting information using International Accounting Standards.
Business and the Accountant
This module introduces you to the key concepts of modern economics, including how markets function as the foundation of contemporary economies.
Principles of Economics
This module introduces you to the key concepts of modern economics, including how markets function as the foundation of contemporary economies
Accounting Information Systems
In the Accounting Information Systems module, you’ll develop practical skills, and an understanding of the importance of IT in accounting through the use of software like Sage and Excel. On completion, you’ll have the technical knowledge to operate Sage for a range of business transaction applications.
Digital and Business Skills
Digital and Business Skills offers an introduction to fundamental skills you need for high level careers in a range of organisations. Communications, presentation and professional profile tools will be used to develop your knowledge and employability.
Data Analysis for Business
In Data Analysis for Business, you will develop an understanding of the concepts required for the use and interpretation of the quantitative methods used to analyse business data. You will practice your essential Excel skills and learn to use Minitab, a statistical software package used by companies to spot trends, solve problems and use data to gain insight.
This module prepares you for entry to more advanced studies dealing with quantitative analysis in business and economics.
Professional Development
In semester one, you will form teams with other students to come together and answer a live client brief with regular review points. In semester two, you will enhance your portfolio by creating more team-based and individual work.
Legal Aspects of Business
This module introduces you to the operation of global legal systems and the areas of law that underpin the practice of effective business management. You will develop a working knowledge of law relating to contracts and their effective negotiation in different business environments.
Regulatory and Economic Environment
Through this module, you’ll gain an awareness of current developments in financial reporting and practice. You will explore the regulatory environment for international financial reporting and corporate governance and investigate the workings and regulation of international markets.
Financial Planning and Software Applications
This module will strengthen your understanding of management accounting information, tools and techniques. You will learn about the significance of internal business functions and develop practical skills using accounting-specific ICT packages.
Financial and Management Information Systems
This module introduces present-day costing techniques and their function in manufacturing and business. You will also explore the use of management accounting information to help decision making and performance measurement.
Financial Accounting and Reporting
The Financial Accounting and Reporting module will help you develop a critical understanding of accounting concepts and conventions, how they interact, and their relationship to the accounting policies selected by companies. Gain all the necessary experience required to take advantage of global employment opportunities.
Optional year in industry
Professional Experience Year
All of our BSc students can apply for a one year professional placement, which takes place between your second and last years of study.
This is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of and over the last five years, 90% of Salford Business School undergraduates taking a one year placement secured a 2:1 or 1st class Honours degree.
We will help you find out about vacancies and make the right connections with high profile employers through regular events and presentations.
Here is just a small selection of the companies our students have enjoyed placements with so far: NatWest, Barclays and the Cooperative Bank; BP, Esso and Shell; IBM, Hewlett Packard and Compaq; Ford, Vauxhall, Jaguar and Nissan; Marks & Spencer, Selfridges and Sainsbury’s; Eli Lilly, Glaxo and ICI; Fujitsu, Marriott and Virgin.
Advanced Management Accounting
On completion of Advanced Management Accounting, you will be able to understand, apply and evaluate management accounting techniques relating to planning, control, decision-making, performance management and sustainability. You will develop an understanding of the theoretical and ethical dimensions of management accounting and their relationship with real-world practice.
Advanced Financial Reporting
In this module, you will develop your skills in the preparation of financial statements, improve your understanding of the economics and politics behind accounting standards and advance your ability to analyse and interpret financial statements.
Business Finance
In Business Finance, concepts such as raising capital, capital markets and the capital structure of firms will be explored. You will evaluate the processes of mergers and takeovers and analyse the risks in international finance.
The Professional Accountant
You will evaluate the responsibilities of accountants in relation to ethics, sustainability, innovation, internal control, governance, compliance and risk management across a range of international accounting environments.
Optional modules:
Business Taxation
This module evaluates the UK taxation system and the global environment. You will review core subjects including the taxation of sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
Investment Management
Investment Management introduces you to the theoretical framework for modern investment and portfolio management. This module helps you develop the statistical skills necessary to quantify risks associated with portfolio management and empirically test the validity of models that rely on risk-reward relationships.
Bank Management
This module gives you an introduction to the role of a bank and banking services in developed and emerging market economies. On completion of the module, you’ll be able to evaluate the regulatory environment of banks, understand developments in banking financial innovation and appreciate the risk of bank failure and their role in financial crises.
Audit and Assurance
Through this module, you will consider and evaluate the audit processes and develop the technical knowledge and skills necessary to perform the responsibilities of an auditor within the framework of relevant regulatory environments.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Salford Business School
Salford Business School aims to be the most business-informed, industry-relevant business school in the UK. Industry shapes everything we do, from informing our students’ learning to providing work placements, driving our research and influencing our academic staff.
We want you to gain the best academic and personal experience possible. As a student here, you’ll have access to a range of experiences and opportunities, including internships and work placements in the UK or internationally so you graduate with much more than a degree.
facilities
Salford Business School is located at the heart of the University’s Peel Park campus and just minutes from Manchester city centre. Teaching facilities include Lady Hale and Chapman buildings, which offer stylish modern spaces with lecture theatres equipped with the very latest technology and large screen displays. A dedicated Employability team will help you with work placements and access to work skills. Throughout campus, there is a choice of individual study areas, communal learning and breakout spaces, plus a selection of food outlets.
What about after uni?
Accounting and Finance at Salford Business School helps you develop the essential skills and knowledge for a high level career in accountancy, finance, banking and insurance as well as general management positions.
With a curriculum that is career-focused and industry-informed, this is a challenging programme designed to provide you with a thorough understanding of accounting and finance within the wider context of business and management.
Henry Romanenko put his business and finance skills to the test during his degree by launching his own luxury jewellery brand. Find out more at our Made in Salford Blog.
Career Links
Our course team maintains excellent relations with local and national accounting and finance organisations, commentators and employers.
Student prizes are offered by accountancy firms and multinational companies including Rolls-Royce. Past speakers have included representatives from Hurst Accountants, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and ACCA.
We teach the skills that employers need and as a result, our graduates enjoy excellent international career prospects.
The curriculum across our undergraduate courses balances academic teaching and professional experience, allowing you to apply theory in practice in a way that has been proven to produce highly employable, articulate business professionals who have forged the contacts that will help develop their future careers.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
This course offers excellent scope for any student wanting to start a career in accountancy or finance. Knowledge and expertise in these areas are highly sought after by employers across a wide variety of sectors. This course will appeal to a range of applicants and there is no need to have studied these subjects before to be successful.
This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.
GCSE
Maths and English at grade C or grade 4 or above (applicants who do not have the equivalent of grade C or above, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English will be considered on a case by case basis).
UCAS tariff points
64
A level
64 points from a minimum of one A2 pass
BTEC National Diploma
MPP (BTEC Extended Diploma), MM (BTEC Diploma)
Access to HE
64 Points – Pass with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2
Scottish Highers
64 points from a minimum of one Advanced Higher
Irish Leaving Certificate
64 points from a minimum of one Higher Level subject
International Baccalaureate
26 points
European Baccalaureate
Pass Diploma with 60% or above
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home/EU | 2019/20 | £8,250 for Foundation Year and £9,250 for subsequent years. |
Full-time home/EU | 2020/21 | £8,250 for Foundation Year and £9,250 for subsequent years. |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.