Overview: What’s the Difference?
In essence, the main difference between Accounting and Finance is that accounting focuses on past records and present reports, then using the information to assess a business’ financial position; while finance deals with using these financial records to for future financial planning, investment decisions and drive new business strategies. Even so, universities’ finance and accounting degrees infuse both elements as they relate closely to each other.
The Industry
Australia’s economy and job market have been growing steadily over the past 5 years, and it is projected to continue growing for the next 5 years. Accounting careers are estimated to grow from 199,200 in 2018 to 207,200 in 2023.
Furthermore, the average earnings for full-time workers in this industry is around AUD $1,660 per week, though it may be lower when you start out, and it grows progressively as you gain experience over time.
You can get a majority of accounting jobs with a bachelor degree qualification, though diploma in accounting is the minimum qualification in some jobs. (source)
Typical Classes
- Advanced derivatives
- Asset markets
- Auditing
- Behavioural finance
- Budget analysis
- Business strategy
- Corporate finance
- Economics/econometrics
- Financial mathematics
- Financial management
- Financial markets
- Financial planning
- Financial engineering
- Financial accounting
- Financial reporting
- Forensic accounting
- Information systems
- International accounting
- International finance
- Macro/microeconomics
- Management accounting
- Private equity
- Professional standards and ethics
- Quantitative analysis
- Risk management
- Venture capital
Recommended Universities to Study Accounting and Finance:
And finally, we will recommend some universities to study Accounting and Finance. This list is based on the QS World Ranking for each university’s program in Accounting & Finance. They are guaranteed to be credible, as they rank their subjects based on:
- High enrolment rate in the program
- High courses satisfaction rates among students and recent graduates
- High employment rate
Without further ado, here all all the undergraduate and postgraduate accounting and finance degrees.
1. The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
QS World Ranking #15
Undergraduate:
| Programme Name | Majors | Indicative fee (2020) |
| Bachelor of Commerce | Accounting | AUD $43,440 |
| Finance | ||
| Financial Economics |
Postgraduate:
| Programme Name | Indicative fee (2020) |
| Master of Finance | AUD $47,040 |
| Master of Financial Analysis | AUD $47,040 |
| Master of Financial Planning | AUD $47,040 |
| Master of Professional Accounting | AUD $47,040 |
| Master of Taxation | AUD $47,040 |
2. The University of Melbourne
QS World Ranking #16
Undergraduate:
| Programme Name | Majors | Indicative fee (2020) |
| Bachelor of Commerce | Accounting | AUD $41,840 – $44,756 |
| Finance |
Postgraduate:
| Programme Name | Indicative fee (2020) |
| Master of Finance | AUD $48,448 |
3. The University of Sydney
QS World Ranking #22
Undergraduate:
| Programme Name | Majors | Indicative fee (2020) |
| Bachelor of Commerce | Accounting | AUD $44,000 |
| Finance |
Postgraduate:
| Programme Name | Majors | Indicative fee (2020) |
| Master of Commerce | Accounting | AUD $49,000 |
| Finance | ||
| Master of Professional Accounting | N/A | AUD $49,000 |
4. Monash University
QS World Ranking #33
Undergraduate:
| Programme Name | Majors | Indicative fee (2020) |
| Bachelor of Accounting | N/A | AUD $45,000 |
| Bachelor of Banking and Finance | N/A | AUD $45,000 |
| Bachelor of Commerce | Accounting | AUD $45,000 |
| Finance | ||
| Bachelor of Finance | N/A | AUD $45,000 |
Postgraduate:
| Programme Name | Indicative fee (2020) |
| Master of Accounting | AUD $45,800 |
| Master of Advanced Finance | AUD $45,800 |
| Master of Banking and Finance | AUD $45,800 |
5. The Australian National University
QS World Ranking #39
Undergraduate:
| Programme Name | Majors | Indicative fee (2020) |
| Bachelor of Commerce | Accounting | AUD $43,680 |
| Finance |
Postgraduate:
| Programme Name | Indicative fee (2020) |
| Master of Accounting | AUD $34,560 |
| Master of Applied Finance | AUD $34,560 |
| Master of Finance | AUD $34,560 |
| Master of Professional Accounting | AUD $34,560 |
Hopefully this can help you to further your studies! To apply or submit any enquiries, please contact us!
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About Post Author
Jude Chong
A content writer & a student of University of Nottingham studying Bachelor of Communications. I like indie bands and meeting new people 🙂