- What are the reasons behind your choice of postgraduate taught programme?
My career goal is to work in a managerial position upon completion of this programme. I chose Accounting, Accountability & Financial Management major because it will enable me gain a deeper understanding of economic, technical and professional foundations of accountancy and financial management. This will be crucial in understanding the internal operations and inter-relationships of businesses, financial institutions and accounting firms among others. Accounting and financial management skills are necessary in running all kinds of organizations, both profit-making and non-profit making. Secondly, I will be able to apply the knowledge to a variety of economic scenarios while working in a managerial position such as financial reporting and decision-making. Thirdly, the concept of accountability has gained significant support in recent years as organizations strive to create transparency in their operations and streamline bureaucratic tendencies that crippled their success in the past. This knowledge will enable me incorporate issues such as corporate governance, social responsibility and ethical considerations, which are pertinent in managing an organization’s finance, stakeholders, financial markets and, the environment as a whole. Finally, with this major, I can secure a managerial position in multinational firms, smaller firms, financial institutions, management consulting and in the public sector.
- How will you use your qualification upon completion?
Upon completion of this programme, I intend to advance in my career by securing a managerial position in a multinational organization. This position offers more responsibilities and complex decisions that will be within my level of competence given the global capabilities I will develop by studying this major. Furthermore, this qualification will enable me undertake higher level roles such as: incorporating best industry practices such as performance management systems to build a more efficient and value-creating organization; integrating accountability for performance through efficient external and internal governance systems; improve resource allocation; improve implementation of strategies; evaluate economic performance of the organization; strict adherence to accounting standards and, determining fair prices for the securities of the firm. Through these roles I will significantly reduce inappropriate practices such as malfeasance, embezzlement of funds and, bureaucratic rigidities among others.
- How do you see your subject / discipline keeping up with a fast moving world?
In recent years operations in the accounting and finance sector have been significantly affected by advancement in technology and market changes. These include globalization which has prompted the growth of multinational firms that challenge the traditional roles and scope of management, increased interdependence of monetary systems which has increased shocks in the financial markets, incorporation of electronic accounting software that threaten to de-skill traditional professional tasks and, increased calls for accountability to stakeholders and the environment. This major imparts knowledge on issues of international management that will help in addressing global issues affecting multinational firms. Even though technology may seem to threaten employment, skilled accountants are still needed to run these accounting software by feeding into them the required accounting data and to manipulate them to produce required financial reports. In this regard, this major plays a key role in developing skilled accountants and managers to run these accounting software. In addition, this major imparts knowledge of international financial reporting standards which will be beneficial in keeping up with this trend of organizations going global.
