Management vs Accounting and Finance

Hello, guys,

I'm a student from Brazil who is soon going to do a foundation year with INTO Manchester (I may apply for LSE as well).

The problem is: I'm split between Management (or International Business) and Accounting & Finance.

I know this may sound broad and cliché, but I consider myself strong in the interpersonal side, preferring to deal more with human relations than with just numbers. Also, the fact that I speak two languages with complete fluency would help me even more, since Brazil's short on qualified labor in this area. I assume, then, that Management would be best for me.

However, I was thinking that perhaps Accounting would give me a better job stability and a better foundation, since it'd be more practical than just the theories of Business Management. Furthermore, I feel I could learn Management through work experience (which would not happen with Accounting, I think).

So, which one would you choose?

Thanks a bunch!

Victor.

Reply 1

anyap

I had the same dilemma , and I made a choice towards AandF . It's only 3 years and you would be qualifie for an amazing job an if you still want to explores agreement you can always do MBA :smile:

accountants are always needed, while there is a massive surplus of managers!

Reply 2

Sports Racer

I think you may be under the wrong impression about what a management degree at a place like the LSE entails. It's not a management training programme. Rather, the sociopolitical phenomenon of management is considered as an object of academic enquiry. In practice, however, and due to the businessy nature of the subject, it does mean you pick up techniques.

From the tone of your post, management is probably best suited for what you want to achieve and will provide a stronger foundation than A&F as it covers a wider array of topics, including strategy, marketing, organisational behaviour and information systems. Remember that you can take financial accounting, management accounting and finance modules as part of a management degree.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 3

M1011

Original post by anyap

I had the same dilemma , and I made a choice towards AandF . It's only 3 years and you would be qualifie for an amazing job an if you still want to explores agreement you can always do MBA :smile:

accountants are always needed, while there is a massive surplus of managers!

A&F degree makes you qualified for an amazing job? Which job would that be :redface:

Reply 4

Galuppo

Original post by anyap

I had the same dilemma , and I made a choice towards AandF . It's only 3 years and you would be qualifie for an amazing job an if you still want to explores agreement you can always do MBA :smile:

accountants are always needed, while there is a massive surplus of managers!

Did you find your course hard? Was it enjoyable? Do you think you're putting a lot of what you learned into practice?

I'm afraid to get stuck in a boring course and not even do it responsibly.

Original post by Sports Racer

I think you may be under the wrong impression about what a management degree at a place like the LSE entails. It's not a management training. Rather, the sociopolitical phenomenon of management is considered as an object of academic enquiry. In practice, however, and due to the businessy nature of the subject, it does mean you pick up techniques.

From the tone of your post, management is probably best suited for what you want to achieve and will provide a stronger foundation than A&F as it covers a wider array of topics, including strategy, marketing, organisational behaviour and information systems. Remember that you can take financial accounting, management accounting and finance modules as part of a management degree.

Isn't it too theoretical, though? I'd like to get what I'm paying for: something to put into practice. I get this impression that Accounting would be much easier to get an internship, since I'll study concepts and formulas which are universal and can be applied right away. It's like something more mechanical and that has a bigger chance of effectiveness for the company. Don't you learn how business operate in accounting as well?

The thing that worries me is the fact that a lot of people say that Accouting will limit my opportunities, and that I'd only be able to work in certain areas. Is that true? Specially given the fact I wouldn't be able to apply tax accounting, should I choose to work in my country, since laws are completely different.

I don't know how Management would get me in. I mean, I think it'd be harder for me to prove to be an asset to the company and I feel there are a lot of people with this kind of degree, so it wouldn't make me stand out. I could be wrong, though.

Thanks for your answers!

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 5

Vibenation

Original post by Galuppo

I say that your best bet is to study International Business or Management as you can study finance and accounting while having more options to study other areas. Accounting is good course to study but you got more options and variety for the other course and you can decide to specialise Accounting or any other area in Business for your Masters or PHD, providing that you achieve good grade in your degree and it will open more doors.

Its no brainer. Study 1 area of Business such as Accounting or have options to study different areas and can still do the same route. If you do it at Manchester or LSE, then it you got more options to do better in life.

Reply 6

Arian93

Hi Everyone! My friend is applying for Management at LSE and for Accounts and Finance at other unis. How do you suggest he structure his PS such that it shows his passion towards both.
He has a lot of work/volunteer experience as a manager but is interested in Accounts and the Management degree at LSE has a separate course for Accounts and Finance so that should open more options for him. The only problem is the PS. You think the two courses are similar enough to be addressed in one PS? Any advice would be appreciated! :smile: