Welcome to Accounting & Finance!

bmb2 The disciplines of accounting, finance, and business management are fundamental to the operation of modern economies as well as providing a basis for rewarding careers for individuals. These subjects are at the heart of decision making which affects us all. They can help to meet societies' needs through the wise use of resources; but, as recent corporate failures have shown, the skill and judgment they require are also open to abuse through human frailty and greed. So a mature understanding of the technical and human aspects of these fields is important for individuals and for society as a whole.

We offer, as you can see from these pages, a wide range of degree choices at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Our courses offer a firm foundation for a wide range of careers (including professional accountancy, a wide range of managerial roles, as well as investment and banking). They offer a mix of practical knowledge and skills, as well as encouraging and developing a capacity for critical enquiry. As a discipline we include: technical areas which stress analytical ability, numeracy and the ability to communicate information; and issues concerning human relationships, ethics, legal frameworks, organizational strategy and socio-political issues concerning the power and accountability of organisations. Within this broad framework, course choices allow students to develop particular aptitudes and interests.

Commensurate with our range of taught and research degrees our staff have a range of academic backgrounds including many with professional and management experience. They also have a wide range of research interests which you can also explore in these pages. This research, much of it funded by professional bodies and other organisations, feeds into our teaching.

We put a high priority on an ethos of collegiality and approachability for staff and students and we welcome enquiries about any of our courses or our research.

Dr Bruce Burton
Head of Accounting & Finance