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Master's Programme in Accounting
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Curriculum 2024–2026
About the programme
Degree level learning goals
MSc degree studies consist of programme studies and elective studies. In some programmes, there is also a compulsory minor. The scope of the modules varies between programmes.
In addition to the goals stated in Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004) 7 § the aim of the Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration is to provide students with
- a comprehensive understanding of the area of specialisation, including its potential to address environmental, economic and social sustainability challenges;
- the ability to identify and analyse sustainability challenges and business opportunities and creatively develop solutions;
- the ability to independently retrieve, assess, apply and create knowledge in the field of business and economics;
- the ability to reflect on the ethical foundations and implications of business decision-making for different stakeholders and to act accordingly; and
- the ability to communicate effectively and to foster diversity, equity and inclusiveness in organisations.
Programme level learning objectives
Upon graduation from the Accounting programme, graduates
are able to:
- produce, communicate, analyze, and interpret financial, non-financial, and sustainability-related information for both managerial purposes and the needs of external stakeholders
- impact and contribute to the strategic, tactical and operative decision making and control processes
- interpret and analyze business and societal problems, and opportunities utilizing data technology in the digitalized accounting domain
have developed their:
- analytical skills, holistic and critical thinking, problem identification and problem solving capabilities, and writing and presentation skills
- work-life skills related to project management, negotiation, group work, and communication
Master’s Programme in Accounting prepares students for producing, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating financial, non-financial and sustainability-related information to control and manage organizations operating in the modern highly digitalized environment. Accounting is at the heart of every business and a critical part of planning and decision-making for sustainable business. Our accounting graduates possess invaluable and highly universal know-how for succeeding in different roles, such as business controller, financial controller, financial analyst, auditor, management consultant, or Chief Financial Officer.
Topics in financial accounting focus on the preparation and use of financial statement –related information serving the needs of firms’ external stakeholders, especially the debt and equity holders. The core topics covered in this area include financial statement analysis, theories of financial statements, international and national accounting standards, issues in group accounting and consolidated financial statements, as well as auditing theory and practice.
Topics in management accounting focus on the preparation and use of financial and non-financial information serving the needs of managerial control and decision-making. The core topics covered in this area include performance management, strategic management accounting, capital investment decisions, and financial planning.
Accounting for sustainability serves the information needs of both internal and external stakeholders regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Reporting, measuring, controlling, and assuring ESG impacts is essential for ensuring sustainable decision-making. In addition, our Master’s Programme in Accounting offers students relevant knowledge of and expertise in data analytics, risk management, and corporate governance, as well as different research methodologies.
Degree structure
Total
120
ECTS
ECTS
ECTS
*including master's thesis 30 ECTS
Programme studies 86 ECTS
Code: BIZ506
Scope: 86 ECTS
Programme director: Prof. Jari Huikku
| Course code | Course name | ECTS | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22E00100 | Financial Statement Analysis | 6 | I, IV |
| 22E24000 | Performance Management | 6 | I, III |
| ABL-E1399 | Research Methods in Accounting | 4 | I, III |
| ABL-E1366 | Capstone: Accounting | 8 | I-II, IV-V |
| ACC.thes | Master's Thesis | 30 | |
| ABL-E1999 | Master's Thesis Seminar 1 | 2 | I-II, III-V |
| BIZ.matr | Maturity Test | 0 | |
Choose 30 ECTS of the following coursesCourses are grouped under different accounting topics, but you may mix them freely. |
|||
| Financial accounting | |||
| 22E00210 | Financial Accounting Theories | 6 | III |
| 22E00300 | Konsernilaskenta | 6 | V |
| 22E00400 | International Accounting | 6 | III |
| 22E21000 | Auditing – Theory and Practice | 6 | II |
| Management accounting | |||
| 22E10000 | Strategic Management Accounting | 6 | II |
| 22E12000 | Capital Budgeting | 6 | IV |
| ABL-E1200 | Managing Uncertainty Through Cost Accounting and Financial Planning | 6 | II |
| Other advanced accounting courses | |||
| 22E00500 | Corporate Governance | 6 | V |
| 22E29100 | Accounting for Sustainability | 6 | II |
| ABL-E1400 | Risk Management: Organization and Control | 6 | III |
| ABL-E1300 | Big Data Analysis in Accounting | 6 | IV |
| BIZ-E0100 | Customized Student Business Project 2 | 6 | |
| 42E00600 | CEMS Business Project 2 | 6 | |
| Advanced accounting studies at another university 3 | 6-12 | ||
| Alternatively, you may choose max 12 ECTS of the following courses | |||
| 32E29000 | European and International Tax Law | 6 | I |
| 32E2220 | Elinkeinoverotus | 6 | III |
| ABL-E2610 | Kirjanpito-oikeus | 6 | 2024-26: no teaching |
| 28E35300 | Mergers and Acquisitions | 6 | II |
| FIN-A0103 | Fundamentals of Corporate Finance | 6 | I |
| 30E03000 | Data Science for Business 1 | 6 | I |
| ISM-C1004 | Business Analytics 1 | 6 | II |
1 When you want to start your thesis please enrol to the master's thesis seminar in Sisu.
2 Only one of these can be included in the degree. BIZ-E0100 Customized Student Business Project must be agreed in advance with Tommi Vihervaara.
3 Please mark the course (or courses) as study draft(s) on your PSP/HOPS and apply for credit transfer (inclusion) via study draft. The course has to meet the requirements of the programme.
Other suitable course in Accounting has to meet the requirements of the programme and must be agreed in advance with the programme director.
Elective studies 34 ECTS
You can choose elective studies to your Master's degree so that the scope of the degree (120 credits) is fulfilled. You can exceed the scope of the degree by one course maximum.
Elective studies can include basic, intermediate or advanced level courses. You can use the module e.g.
- To complete a minor
- To broaden your skills and knowledge via multidisciplinary studies:
- select courses in the field of technology or art
- select courses in other universities via JOO study right
- Select gender studies via Hilma network or other Aalto networks
- To gain entrepreneurial skills
- To deepen your language and communication skills (see short informational video about the Language Center here)
- To deepen or broaden your skills and knowledge in the field of business
- select additional courses in your degree programme or major
- select courses from other degree progarmmes or majors in the School of Business
- select additional courses in your minor
- complete the Customized Student Business project BIZ-E0100 (read more here)
- To gain work experience and working life skills via an internship (read more at During your studies > Other studies)
- To gain skills in self leadership, finding meaningfulness, and improving study wellbeing via Personal Impact courses
The scope of the minor varies depending on the minor. Please check each minor's requirements. For a list of all the minors at Aalto University, see Aalto Minors hub.
Please also check your programme's curriculum to see if there are any requirements for the minor in your programme.
A minor included in the Master's degree can be one of the following:
- a module confirmed in the curriculum (a minor study entity offered at the School of Business)
- a module completed in an official exchange programme partner of the School of Business or in another programme meeting the requirements set in the official exchange programme policy of the School of Business
- a module earned at another Aalto University school
- a module earned at another Finnish university e.g. under the agreement on flexible study rights (JOO agreement).
Exchange studies is a very popular minor among the students of the School of Business. If you are interested in completing exchange studies as your minor, please check out this short informational video.
If you have mandatory language studies in your master's degree, they are included in the elective studies module. You have received information about these in the beginning of your studies, if this applies to you. If you are uncertain of whether you need to demonstrate language proficiency in the master's degree, please contact your programme's planning officer to get further information about the matter.
- If you have completed your bachelor's degree in Finland (in Aalto or in another higher education institute), you have fulfilled the compulsory language requirements in the respective degree or received the exemption. You do not need to complete language studies in the master's degree.
- If your language of education is Finnish or Swedish and you have completed your bachelor’s degree outside of Finland, you must demonstrate proficiency in national languages by writing the maturity test in your language of education (Finnish or Swedish) and complete the language proficiency tests in the other national language. Read more about the language of education here. You may also apply for an exemption of demonstrating proficiency in national languages. See also the following bullet.
- If you have completed your bachelor’s degree outside of Finland, you must complete minimum of 3 ECTS in English. You can choose any course on B2 level or higher. Students, whose language of education is not Finnish or Swedish, may alternatively complete an elementary course in Finnish or in Swedish. The courses in national languages can be at any level on CEFR scale.
Language studies are included in students’ elective studies and are agreed in the personal study plan (HOPS). Language center offers the language studies.
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