As well as providing a route into financial professions, a degree in accountancy and finance develops skills that are useful in a range of sectors

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Chartered accountant
• Chartered certified accountant
• Chartered management accountant
• Chartered public finance accountant
• Company secretary
• External auditor
• Forensic accountant
• Stockbroker

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Actuary
• Arbitrator
• Business development manager
• Data analyst
• Economist
• Licensed conveyancer
• Management consultant
• Mortgage adviser
• Procurement manager
• Retail banker
• Tax adviser

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Gaining some type of work experience is an important part of getting professional qualifications. An internship or work shadowing opportunity will show potential employers that you have the skills and practical experience they're looking for.

If your course didn't include a work placement, look for a role in a field that interests you. This could include part-time work in a local accountancy firm or work experience in the finance department of any organisation. Experience that shows you have office and admin skills, as well as the ability to work with numbers and budgets, will be helpful.

Skills for your CV

Accountancy and finance degrees provide you with knowledge of accountancy practices, commerce, industry and finance. As well as developing a range of subject-specific and technical skills, you also gain more general skills including:

• knowledge and awareness of business organizations
• numerical and quantitative skills
• problem-solving and analytical ability
• oral and written communication skills
• ability to argue your case and negotiate
• knowledge of global business issues and language skills, particularly if you study European or international finance
• entrepreneurship.