How difficult is Accounting and Finance
If I've never studied accounting before? I'm currently studying maths, economics and English literature at college and would like to do accounting at university. Am I at a serious disadvantage for having not taken accounting at A Level? Thanks 
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Original post by JodieW
If I've never studied accounting before? I'm currently studying maths, economics and English literature at college and would like to do accounting at university. Am I at a serious disadvantage for having not taken accounting at A Level? Thanks
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No disadvantage whatsoever for not having done accounting for any university.
Maths and econ are the two helpful subjects.
I've applied this year.
Original post by JodieW
If I've never studied accounting before? I'm currently studying maths, economics and English literature at college and would like to do accounting at university. Am I at a serious disadvantage for having not taken accounting at A Level? Thanks
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No not at all, really good A-level choices especially English which will be great for essay writing at Uni
Thanks for the responses guys!
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Accountancy is a profession that does not necessitate you be a graduate in order to go into the field. Most companies offer various school-leavers programmes and others may provide you with the AAT qualification before they put you through the ACA or ICAEW.
What does this tell us? It tells us that not only is Accounting at A-Level not at all a prerequisite to Accounting and Finance at university, but it also tells us that Accounting and Finance is not a prerequisite to being an accountant.
If you are unsure on becoming an accountant, it might be best if you did another social or physical science (physics, maths, economics) before making your mind up. If you have brilliant AS/A level grades and definitely want to become an accountant, then you may wish to look at various non-graduate entry routes in other to save yourself £30,000 worth of debt and get earning quicker.
And this is from someone who has applied for A&F this year.
What does this tell us? It tells us that not only is Accounting at A-Level not at all a prerequisite to Accounting and Finance at university, but it also tells us that Accounting and Finance is not a prerequisite to being an accountant.
If you are unsure on becoming an accountant, it might be best if you did another social or physical science (physics, maths, economics) before making your mind up. If you have brilliant AS/A level grades and definitely want to become an accountant, then you may wish to look at various non-graduate entry routes in other to save yourself £30,000 worth of debt and get earning quicker.
And this is from someone who has applied for A&F this year.
Original post by JodieW
If I've never studied accounting before? I'm currently studying maths, economics and English literature at college and would like to do accounting at university. Am I at a serious disadvantage for having not taken accounting at A Level? Thanks
What randomly made you want to study accounting and finance?
Original post by CoolStoryBroo
What randomly made you want to study accounting and finance?
Asian parents. Basically I have three routes: medicine, law or accounting. I picked the latter.
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Original post by JodieW
Asian parents. Basically I have three routes: medicine, law or accounting. I picked the latter.
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-You can't do medicine because you didn't do any real sciences
-Accounting is boring as **** and you don't need a degree for it (they even let year 11's do it.)
Your combination of Economics & maths would make BSC Economics a perfect choice for you.
By the way were you joking when you said "Asian parents"? Because if you're gonna spend the rest of your life doing a boring job because your parents want you to then you need to grow some balls and tell them that at all the 3 options they gave you are useless. It's not like they'll disown you if you tell them you wanna pick a different subject
Original post by CoolStoryBroo
-You can't do medicine because you didn't do any real sciences
-Accounting is boring as **** and you don't need a degree for it (they even let year 11's do it.)
Your combination of Economics & maths would make BSC Economics a perfect choice for you.
By the way were you joking when you said "Asian parents"? Because if you're gonna spend the rest of your life doing a boring job because your parents want you to then you need to grow some balls and tell them that at all the 3 options they gave you are useless. It's not like they'll disown you if you tell them you wanna pick a different subject
-Accounting is boring as **** and you don't need a degree for it (they even let year 11's do it.)
Your combination of Economics & maths would make BSC Economics a perfect choice for you.
By the way were you joking when you said "Asian parents"? Because if you're gonna spend the rest of your life doing a boring job because your parents want you to then you need to grow some balls and tell them that at all the 3 options they gave you are useless. It's not like they'll disown you if you tell them you wanna pick a different subject
No, I wasn't joking. I want to do accounting anyway, it's a safer route than what I really want to do and it's likely to pay good money. I would much rather make money and be able to live nicely with a 'boring' job than do something I liked and make little cash.
Original post by JodieW
No, I wasn't joking. I want to do accounting anyway, it's a safer route than what I really want to do and it's likely to pay good money. I would much rather make money and be able to live nicely with a 'boring' job than do something I liked and make little cash.
First, let me point out that accounting is often being perceived as boring, dull and numbers, it is NOT! I've been studying accounting for 5 years (2 in alevel and 3 at uni) and it provide me with a critical view on the business world which I think other disciplines do not offer! To be an accountant you need some basic maths skills only! It is a subject that you either 'get' it or not! The technical side can be quite dull (at least in most ppl's eyes), but when you get into some academic stuff it is actually very interesting!
Anyway, there is nothing wrong for doing a boring job for life but earn handsome money! There are lots areas in account you could specialisted in, and don't get me wrong they are not boring!! The accounting world is always changing!!
One last thing, before you pick your uni, think about the exemptions the degree can give you, check it online! But if you don't like law, then double think accounting cos you need to know it to be a professional!
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Original post by CoolStoryBroo
-Accounting is boring as **** and you don't need a degree for it (they even let year 11's do it.)
-Accounting is boring as **** and you don't need a degree for it (they even let year 11's do it.)
I'd love to know what year 11's you've seen/heard of that finalise accounts?
Original post by JodieW
No, I wasn't joking. I want to do accounting anyway, it's a safer route than what I really want to do and it's likely to pay good money. I would much rather make money and be able to live nicely with a 'boring' job than do something I liked and make little cash.
Hi Jodie,
I've done 2 years of a level accounting followed by 2 years in a practice while studying AAT in my own personal time. Your job is what you make of it, if you have the attitude that it's going to be boring then it probably will be. You'll enjoy it and accountancy can lead to a fruitful career and life, most of the worlds top CEO's are ACA qualified so you won't necessarily even be stuck in "numbers".
If you have any questions, fire away!
Original post by MWebber
I'd love to know what year 11's you've seen/heard of that finalise accounts?
Hi Jodie,
I've done 2 years of a level accounting followed by 2 years in a practice while studying AAT in my own personal time. Your job is what you make of it, if you have the attitude that it's going to be boring then it probably will be. You'll enjoy it and accountancy can lead to a fruitful career and life, most of the worlds top CEO's are ACA qualified so you won't necessarily even be stuck in "numbers".
If you have any questions, fire away!
Hi Jodie,
I've done 2 years of a level accounting followed by 2 years in a practice while studying AAT in my own personal time. Your job is what you make of it, if you have the attitude that it's going to be boring then it probably will be. You'll enjoy it and accountancy can lead to a fruitful career and life, most of the worlds top CEO's are ACA qualified so you won't necessarily even be stuck in "numbers".
If you have any questions, fire away!
Thank you for the response. I know this is a vague question but in your experience was accounting something that you found difficult to get to grips with, or did it click quite easily with practice? Do you think someone would find it hard starting from scratch at degree level?
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Original post by JodieW
Thank you for the response. I know this is a vague question but in your experience was accounting something that you found difficult to get to grips with, or did it click quite easily with practice? Do you think someone would find it hard starting from scratch at degree level?
Well, I don't know if you're asking about accountancy in a learning environment (university) or actual working environment, I'll go with the latter. Personally for you I don't think you'll struggle if you've done A levels in economics and maths, I think you'll be more 'tuned' to accountancy with those subjects (not to mention those subjects are deemed a lot harder than accountancy at A level). When ever I've been greeted with a new subject it's been a bit difficult at first but once you know the theory and have practised it you can do it with your eyes closed. What I personally like about accountancy is that it's so black and white, you're either right or wrong and no grey areas in between (this might change later on in the degree but for the fundamentals you're either right or wrong.)
In summary, I think you personally will be fine if you were to do a degree in it. You might have to work a bit harder in your first year learning some things which other students may already know but you wouldn't struggle with the material I wouldn't have thought.
I have just finished a degree in Economics and Accountancy at Edinburgh uni and I can say you will not find accountancy hard to get use to at all every uni starts at the basics. Take doing engineering you may not have seen it before you get to uni directly but they will start with basics. Accountancy in my opinion is significantly easier than economics and maths. Therefore by doing a degree in Accounting and finance I think you will max out your chance of getting 1st or 2.1 which is vital to get a job. Also bare in mind doing accountancy does not mean you have to be an accountant. You can easily get into banking/consultancy/investments etc.
To answer your question directly no you want find it difficult to start from scratch at all as all uni's teaching accountancy assuming no background knowledge. Overall accountancy is a lot easier than economics and maths but I would advise doing accountancy and finance not just accounting on its own as you will find that a bit more interesting. Also make sure you go to the best uni possible as this will set you apart ie LSE, warwick etc I am based in scotland so edinburgh was best for me.
Lol your point on asian parents was quite funny and true. Pretty much all Asians are bankers,accountants and doctors. But more and more asians are doing dentistry and pharmacy.
To answer your question directly no you want find it difficult to start from scratch at all as all uni's teaching accountancy assuming no background knowledge. Overall accountancy is a lot easier than economics and maths but I would advise doing accountancy and finance not just accounting on its own as you will find that a bit more interesting. Also make sure you go to the best uni possible as this will set you apart ie LSE, warwick etc I am based in scotland so edinburgh was best for me.
Lol your point on asian parents was quite funny and true. Pretty much all Asians are bankers,accountants and doctors. But more and more asians are doing dentistry and pharmacy.
Original post by mohamed17
I have just finished a degree in Economics and Accountancy at Edinburgh uni and I can say you will not find accountancy hard to get use to at all every uni starts at the basics..
Hi, if you do not mind could I ask you what A level subjects you took and what grades you acheieved in each one?
Also did you have much work experience in Accounting firms, Charity shops as such?
Anything would be of a help, thanks
Profile
Econ and Accountancy 1st class degree
Scottish Higher AAAAA Usual maths english accounting economics physics
Big 4 internship
Big 4 grad Job starting in September in Mergers and Acquisitions
Also accountancy firms require (BBB) at A level to apply ie 300 ucas points (PWC require ABB) 320 Ucas points
I think from what I can tell your at uni. So from this point you need to build up experience that shows you are rounded individual who can communicate well, work in team etc. So what I would say is that an internship is almost an absolute must it makes your life so much easier when applying to grad jobs as everybody will consider you with good grades and experince. An internship between 2nd and 3rd year of uni is the only time you really get away with not needing any relevant accounting work experience. So just max out on positions of responsibility etc. But just make yourself a list of firms that you are going to apply to for an internship. A lot of big firms open in July for applications so be ready the quicker you are the best chance you have also apply to loads like 15 or more. Also practice the maths and verbal tests that you need to pass as these are part of application process. I know many who created a few fake applications to practice and make sure they could pass the online stages math test e-tray etc before they did their own real application. If you really want an internship you will get one. Just set yourself a list of firm you want to apply to (google accountancy top 50 firms accountancy age website) then just practice applying with a few dud applications and when you can get through choose then you can be sure of getting through online stages for real.
However if your at school picking a levels, get good grades get any work experience involved in working with a team and showing communication skills. Some firms do offer insight week or experience for you at this level if you can get a accountancy firm on your cv and better still a big accountancy firm ie (pwc kpmg Deloitte, Ernst Young, BDO Baker tilly etc) on your cv even better. By gaining this experience all your doing is making it easier in the future for you to get a grad job.
Hope that helped
The online stages arent hard but the time pressure is high and personally it took me 2 or 3 tests to calm down and not panic under time. However since then i can pass them easily know.
Econ and Accountancy 1st class degree
Scottish Higher AAAAA Usual maths english accounting economics physics
Big 4 internship
Big 4 grad Job starting in September in Mergers and Acquisitions
Also accountancy firms require (BBB) at A level to apply ie 300 ucas points (PWC require ABB) 320 Ucas points
I think from what I can tell your at uni. So from this point you need to build up experience that shows you are rounded individual who can communicate well, work in team etc. So what I would say is that an internship is almost an absolute must it makes your life so much easier when applying to grad jobs as everybody will consider you with good grades and experince. An internship between 2nd and 3rd year of uni is the only time you really get away with not needing any relevant accounting work experience. So just max out on positions of responsibility etc. But just make yourself a list of firms that you are going to apply to for an internship. A lot of big firms open in July for applications so be ready the quicker you are the best chance you have also apply to loads like 15 or more. Also practice the maths and verbal tests that you need to pass as these are part of application process. I know many who created a few fake applications to practice and make sure they could pass the online stages math test e-tray etc before they did their own real application. If you really want an internship you will get one. Just set yourself a list of firm you want to apply to (google accountancy top 50 firms accountancy age website) then just practice applying with a few dud applications and when you can get through choose then you can be sure of getting through online stages for real.
However if your at school picking a levels, get good grades get any work experience involved in working with a team and showing communication skills. Some firms do offer insight week or experience for you at this level if you can get a accountancy firm on your cv and better still a big accountancy firm ie (pwc kpmg Deloitte, Ernst Young, BDO Baker tilly etc) on your cv even better. By gaining this experience all your doing is making it easier in the future for you to get a grad job.
Hope that helped
The online stages arent hard but the time pressure is high and personally it took me 2 or 3 tests to calm down and not panic under time. However since then i can pass them easily know.
Can anyone help me!?
Im thinking to do an Accounting and Finance degree at university but i'm not 100% sure and i would liek to ask a few questions.
How much maths is involved?
Is the course interesting?
Is being an Accountant a boring job?
Can i get into another field with the degree?
It would be better maybe if someone told me what the degree includes what sort of stuff they learn about.
My other degree option is law which i am really interested in but i can choose between the two what do you people think?
Im thinking to do an Accounting and Finance degree at university but i'm not 100% sure and i would liek to ask a few questions.
How much maths is involved?
Is the course interesting?
Is being an Accountant a boring job?
Can i get into another field with the degree?
It would be better maybe if someone told me what the degree includes what sort of stuff they learn about.
My other degree option is law which i am really interested in but i can choose between the two what do you people think?
Original post by Spartz
Can anyone help me!?
Im thinking to do an Accounting and Finance degree at university but i'm not 100% sure and i would liek to ask a few questions.
How much maths is involved?
Is the course interesting?
Is being an Accountant a boring job?
Can i get into another field with the degree?
It would be better maybe if someone told me what the degree includes what sort of stuff they learn about.
My other degree option is law which i am really interested in but i can choose between the two what do you people think?
Im thinking to do an Accounting and Finance degree at university but i'm not 100% sure and i would liek to ask a few questions.
How much maths is involved?
Is the course interesting?
Is being an Accountant a boring job?
Can i get into another field with the degree?
It would be better maybe if someone told me what the degree includes what sort of stuff they learn about.
My other degree option is law which i am really interested in but i can choose between the two what do you people think?
No advanced maths, but numeracy skills is obviously a useful skill. A-level not required for most Uni's
I found it interesting, lots of variety in modules so it wasn't all accounting
Yes I'm sure such a degree would be well-respected when applying for positions
I've done modules in economics, IT, human resource management, marketing, operations management, auditing, business ethics etc.
Hi there,
EY has an Accounting, Finance and Audit degree at Lancaster university which you might be interested in. You can find out more on our website: http://www.ey.com/UK/en/Careers/Students/Schools---EY-Degree
EY has an Accounting, Finance and Audit degree at Lancaster university which you might be interested in. You can find out more on our website: http://www.ey.com/UK/en/Careers/Students/Schools---EY-Degree
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