18 or 24 Months
A degree in accounting lays the foundation for a career in the world of finance and numbers. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills to create a deep understanding of accounting, taxes, controlling and financial management. Whether you want to work as an auditor, tax consultant or in the financial management of a company later on, a degree in accounting offers a wide range of opportunities and exciting career prospects. In this article, you will learn what makes a degree in accounting special, what content you can expect and what requirements you should fulfill.
The accounting program is a course of study that focuses on the fundamentals and in-depth knowledge of bookkeeping, financial reporting and accounting. It prepares students to analyze, evaluate and manage the financial health of a company. In addition to traditional bookkeeping, the program also covers topics such as controlling, tax law, auditing and financial management. The aim of the course is to provide students not only with the technical skills to correctly record and analyze financial data, but also to develop an understanding of strategic decisions in the financial sector. It is a practice-oriented course that requires both analytical and economic skills. The accounting program is ideal for people who have an affinity for numbers and analytical thinking, and at the same time want to take on strategic tasks in the financial sector.
To successfully complete a degree in accounting, both formal requirements and personal qualities are important. Here is an overview:
At Munich Business School, you can study Finance in the Master's program with a focus on accounting. This gives you the perfect mix of business knowledge and practical experience and project management skills, for example through a business project, to help you shape your future according to your ideas. These are the most important facts about studying at MBS:
The accounting degree program covers a broad range of topics, including both the theoretical fundamentals and practical applications. You will learn how financial processes can be controlled, analyzed and optimized, and will be prepared to take on a key role in financial management in a wide range of industries.
| Subject area | Contents |
| Fundamentals of accounting | Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting, creating and analyzing annual financial statements, financial accounting |
| cost and performance accounting | Cost calculation and pricing, break-even analysis |
| Controlling | Budgeting and financial planning, key figure analysis (e.g. ROI, EBIT), operational and strategic controlling |
| Taxation and Tax Law | National and international tax law, corporate, income and sales tax, tax optimization |
| Auditing | Auditing of annual financial statements (HGB, IFRS), auditing and risk assessment, basics of auditing |
| Financial Management and Investment | Corporate finance, investment calculations and decisions, liquidity management |
| International Accounting | IFRS and US-GAAP standards, international accounting differences, financial reporting globally |
| Business law | Commercial and corporate law, contract law, legal framework for financial decisions |
| Data analysis and digitalization | Accounting software (e.g. SAP, DATEV), big data analysis, digitalization and automation |
| Soft skills and practical competencies | Presenting financial data, teamwork and project management, communicating with stakeholders |
| Practical experience | Internships in companies, project work (e.g. financial analyses, case studies), thesis in cooperation |
A business degree with a focus on accounting offers a broader base and more diverse career opportunities than a pure accounting degree. While a degree in accounting focuses mainly on accounting, tax law and financial reporting, a business degree covers many other areas such as marketing, human resources, corporate governance and business law. This additional breadth gives you a more comprehensive understanding of how a company operates and makes you more flexible in the job market.
With a focus on accounting, you will still specialize in a sought-after field and can work in areas such as controlling, auditing or financial management. At the same time, you will not be limited to this area and will have the opportunity to develop in other business fields. Thus, a business degree with a focus on accounting combines specialized knowledge with broad management skills, which makes you particularly well-qualified for leadership positions.
Munich Business School not only offers you a degree in business administration, but also focuses on international business, so that after graduation you can pursue your chosen career anywhere in the world. At MBS, you can expect small study groups, dedicated teachers, and award-winning programs. But more importantly, your name matters to us. Here, you are not an anonymous member, but the driving force that motivates us every morning. As a small, private university, we take the time to address your concerns and offer you a tailor-made study experience. Our lecturers have extensive practical experience and teach you skills that really count. Studying at MBS offers many highlights such as business projects, internships, semesters abroad, plenty of networking opportunities, and much more. In addition to sound business knowledge, we also promote values and skills that will give you an understanding of sustainability and social responsibility as a future professional and prepare you optimally for a wide range of careers.
The main requirement for admission to the Master study program is a successful Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS or more). Applicants with a degree in Business Studies/Management/Economics are entitled to apply for the program directly, applicants without a degree in economics can qualify for the program by completing the Pre Master Program. Upon request, we will gladly verify your documents in advance. Please contact your Program Advisor.
Applicants must proof their English language skills by passing one of the following language tests:
Note: If the test is also used to apply for a visa, please check the requirements of the respective embassy in advance.
Test results can only be accepted if achieved within the last two years. If you are unable to obtain your test results before handing in your MBS application, please inform us about your planned test date.
The English proficiency test can be waived by the following candidates:
We accept applications all year round. However, we recommend that you apply as early as possible, as the number of places is limited.
Spring semester (Master International Business only)
Applicants from Vietnam, China and India should allow an extra month to apply for the relevant visas.
Winter semester
Applicants from Vietnam, China and India should allow an extra month to apply for the relevant visas.
When submitting your online application, please provide the following mandatory documents:
You may also upload the following additional documents:
*Please provide the original documents or certified copies when you gain admission and matriculate to the program.
Qualified applicants will be invited for a personal interview on site in Munich or online via Microsoft Teams (approx. 30 - 45 minutes). The interview may include the processing of a case study.
As soon as you are an admitted student, you have the opportunity to get to know MBS even better – before making your final decision whether to join Munich Business School.
Our study advisors will of course be available for all kinds of potential questions and personal consultations.
Once you have successfully completed the application process, Munich Business School will provide you with an acceptance letter as well as two copies of your study contract. Please sign one copy and return it within two weeks to secure your spot in the program. The other copy needs to be kept for your own records.
The acceptance to the study program requires an enrollment fee of 690 Euro (EU/EFTA) respectively 1,490 Euro (non-EU) and a deposit of 1.990 Euro due upon signing the study contract. The deposit will be deducted from your first tuition fee installment.
If you are a non-EU national, you are required to apply for a student visa in order start your studies in Germany. To obtain a visa invitation letter from Munich Business School, which is necessary to apply for the visa, please add a copy of your passport details page when handing in your signed study contract.
Munich Business School offers attractive scholarship programs amount up to EUR 4,000 of the overall tuition fee. (Up to EUR 2,000 on the 1st and 2nd master's semester).
If you wish to apply for a scholarship, you should include an application when you submit your overall application. You can find further information on our scholarships and financing page.
The salary in the accounting field can vary depending on qualifications, professional experience, company size and location. Here are the main influencing factors and typical salary ranges:
The diversity in the field of accounting is reflected in a variety of exciting career paths. Here is a closer look at three career examples:
The difference between controlling and accounting lies in their focus: accounting deals with the collection, documentation and reporting of financial data, i.e. the “what happened?”. Controlling, on the other hand, uses this data to make strategic decisions, control processes and plan for the future, i.e. the “what will happen?”. While accounting creates the basis, controlling ensures the interpretation and application of the information.
Yes, financial accounting is the accounting system used to prepare financial information for external stakeholders such as investors, lenders or authorities. The focus here is on transparency and compliance with legal requirements.
Business accounting is the systematic recording, analysis and reporting of a company's financial and business data. It includes both external financial accounting for stakeholders and internal management accounting to support operational decision-making.
Global Accounting refers to the accounting and financial reporting of companies that operate internationally. It encompasses the application of international standards such as IFRS or US-GAAP to ensure comparability of financial information across borders and compliance with global regulations.
Accounting in business administration is the area that deals with the collection, analysis and control of a company's financial data. It combines bookkeeping, accounting and controlling to support economic decisions and ensure the financial stability of the company.
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