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Accounting Studies in Germany: Read the Numbers, Steer the Business

Accounting covers bookkeeping, financial reporting, cost accounting and controlling. From annual financial statements to strategic financial management, you study accounting, controlling and finance at MBS in Munich – with a practical, international focus and direct links to companies such as Deloitte, Allianz and Siemens.

  • Internationally recognized: MBS is among the 6% of business schools worldwide holding AACSB accreditation — a seal of quality that audit firms and corporate finance departments recognize when hiring.
  • Hands-on from day one: At least 30 weeks of mandatory internships plus multi-semester Business Projects with companies such as Deloitte, Allianz, Siemens and UniCredit connect accounting and controlling theory to real cases.
  • A career head start with a network: Students from more than 80 nations and an alumni network across the finance industry open doors — from audit firms to corporate controlling.
2 Accounting Programs
53% International Students
70+ Partner Universities Worldwide
€ 4,000 Scholarships of up to

Two degree programs. One goal: your career in accounting.

At MBS, there isn't just "one accounting program"; rather, there are two distinctly different programs designed for different starting points and career goals.

Bachelor International Business – Finance Concentration

The Bachelor International Business is the ideal starting point for high-school graduates aiming toward accounting, controlling and corporate finance early on. In semesters 5 and 6 you concentrate on controlling, corporate finance and asset management for the global context, including investment calculations, financing decisions, foreign trade financing and international risk assessment — backed by at least three internships and a semester abroad.

 

Degree Bachelor of Arts, 210 ECTS
Duration 6 Semesters + Thesis
Start February & September
Language German & English

Master in Finance

 

The Master in Finance deepens, after a first degree, your expertise in corporate finance, risk management, investment and valuation strategies, plus forward-looking topics such as sustainable and AI-driven finance. Two Business Projects with partner companies connect theory to real practice.




Degree Master of Arts, 90 ECTS
Duration 3 Semesters (Single) · 4 Semesters (Dual)
Start September
Language English
The Degree Program

What You Really Learn

All course content at a glance—semester by semester, module by module.
 

Bachelor International Business – Finance Concentration

6 Semesters + Thesis · 210 ECTS · B.A. · German & English · Start: February & September

Semester 1
6 ECTS International Business & Economics I +
  • International Business and Management I
  • Microeconomics
6 ECTS Accounting and Finance I +
  • Financial Accounting and Cost Accounting I
  • Business and Financial Mathematics
6 ECTS Business and Society I +
  • Business and Cultural History I
  • Current Topics in Business I
  • Business Law I
  • Social Service Project I
6 ECTS International Focus +

Pick 1 out of 6:

  • Chinese Culture and Society + Chinese
  • Arabian Culture and Society + Arabic
  • Russian Culture and Society + Russian
  • German Culture and Society + German
  • Spanish Culture and Society + Spanish
  • French Culture and Society + French
6 ECTS Soft Skills and Personal Development +
  • Introduction to Social Skills and MBS Values
  • Critical Thinking, Data & Text Literacy I
  • Presentation Skills and Communication Training I
  • Business Etiquette
  • Resilience Management I
  • Student Mentoring (optional)
Semester 2
6 ECTS International Business & Economics II +
  • International Business and Management II
  • Macroeconomics
  • Entrepreneurial and Creative Idea Generation Workshop
  • Company Excursion
6 ECTS Accounting and Finance II +
  • Financial and Cost Accounting II
  • Finance I
  • Digital Skills I: Using Spreadsheets
6 ECTS Business and Society II +
  • Business and Cultural History II
  • Current Topics in Business II
  • Business Law II
  • Social Service Project II
6 ECTS International Focus +

 Pick 1 out of 6:

  • Asian Culture and Society + Chinese
  • Middle Eastern Culture and Society + Arabic
  • Eastern European Culture and Society + Russian
  • Culture and Society in the European Union + German
  • Latin American Culture and Society + Spanish
  • French and Francophone Culture and Society + French
6 ECTS Soft Skills and Personal Development +
  • Critical Thinking, Data & Text Literacy II
  • Presentation Skills and Communication Training II
  • Resilience Management II
  • Conflict Management
  • Application Training
10 ECTS Internship +

Complete your first internship in the lecture-free period between the second and third semester

Semester 3
6 ECTS International Business III +
  • International Business and Management III
  • Fundamentals of Human Resources Management and Leadership
  • Fundamentals of International Marketing and Sales
  • Finance II
6 ECTS Digital Skills +
  • Digital Skills II: Statistics and Data Analysis
  • Digital Skills III: Managing Information and Big Data in the Digital Age
  • Digital Skills IV: Online Security and Digital Ethics
6 ECTS Business and Society III +
  • Business and Cultural History III (Incl. Excursion)
  • Business Law (Labor Law)
  • Civic Engagement
6 ECTS International Focus +

Pick 1 out of 6:

  • Business in Asia-Pacific + Chinese
  • Arabian and Middle Eastern Business + Arabic
  • Russian and Eastern European Business + Russian
  • Business in Germany and the European Union + German
  • Business in Spain and Latin America + Spanish
  • Business in France and Francophone Countries + French
5 ECTS Soft Skills and Personal Development +
  • Critical Thinking, Data & Text Literacy III (Seminar paper)
  • Intercultural Competences
  • Negotiation Skills
1 ECTS MBS Engagement +

Feel more connected to the MBS community by actively participating in a variety of extracurricular opportunities.

Semester 4
20 ECTS Study Abroad +

20 ECTS  from the field of international business studies at the partner university

10 ECTS Internship Abroad +

Duration: 10 Weeks

Semester 5
3 ECTS International Innovation Management I +

In the International Innovation Management concentration, you will learn to manage innovation processes from the idea to marketing. You focus on customer needs, use market research and current methods such as design thinking. You will research technology trends and implement your own innovation projects in groups.

3 ECTS International Marketing & Sales I +

In this concentration, students learn the basics of market-oriented business management. The focus is on marketing & sales in the digital age. The course covers strategies such as market analysis, brand management and the optimal marketing mix, including market research and sales management. The goal is to secure long-term success on a national and international level.

3 ECTS International Finance I +

In the International Finance concentration, students acquire in-depth knowledge in controlling, corporate finance and asset management for the global context. The focus is on modern methods and tools, including investment calculations, financing decisions, foreign trade financing and risk assessment on an international level.

3 ECTS International Procurement, Production and Logistics I +

In the International Procurement, Production and Logistics concentration, students learn to efficiently manage global supply chains. The focus is on optimizing the flow of goods and services in times of globalization and digitalization. The aim is to supply end customers on time, cost-effectively and in high quality.

3 ECTS International Human Resources Management and Leadership I +

In the International Human Resources Management and Leadership concentration, students acquire in-depth knowledge of strategic human resources management at an international level. The focus is on the role of employees as critical success factors, as well as on topics of leadership and development of employees.

3 ECTS International Accounting +

Deepen your accounting knowledge from the first part of the MBS program and learn, for example, about the structure, concept and elements of accounting according to IFRS.

6 ECTS International Business Development +
  • International Corporate Governance
  • Corporate Taxation
  • Digital Competencies V: Business Intelligence
5 ECTS Entrepreneurial Project I (Start-up project) +
  • Idea Development & Start-ups I
  • Project Management & Agile Methods
1 ECTS MBS Engagement +

Feel more connected to the MBS community by actively participating in a variety of extracurricular opportunities.

Foreign Languages (optional) +

Select from the following languages: Arabic, Russian, French, Chinese, Spanish, German

Semester 6
6 ECTS Concentrations 1 +

Pick 1 out of 3

  • Innovation Management II (Product Lifecycle Management II)
  • Marketing & Sales II (Customer Relationship Mananagement II)
  • Procurement, Production, Logistics II (Supply Chain Management II)
6 ECTS Concentrations 2 +

Pick 1 out of 3

  • International HR Management and Leadership II
  • International Finance II
  • International Governance and Business Development
3 ECTS Seminar on Concentrations +

Choose a seminar that matches your concentration and prepare yourself optimally for your bachelor thesis.

  • Seminar Innovation Management (PLM)
  • Seminar Marketing & Sales (CRM)
  • Seminar Procurement, Production, Logistics (SCM)
  • Seminar International HR Management and Leadership
  • Seminar International Finance
  • Seminar International Governance and Business Development
9 ECTS Electives +

Further individualize your studies and deepen the areas you are particularly interested in, such as:

  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Globalization and International Trade
  • Family Business
  • Sport and Event Management
  • Ecological Sustainability
  • Business Consulting
  • Real Estate Industry & Construction  
  • International Financial and Sustainability Risk Management
  • Social and Organisational-Psychology  
  • Social Media
  • Agile & New Work
  • Luxury and Brand Management 
3 ECTS Business Ethics and Substainable Business +

At the end of your studies, you will understand the importance of ethical decisions in the business world, which has been addressed in different courses in all semesters. Regardless of the level – company, leader or individual - ethical behavior in the sense of our MBS value act responsible is crucial!

3 ECTS Entrepreneurial Project II (Start-up project) +
  • Idea Development & Start-ups II
  • MBS Explorer Days: Creativity & Expression
Foreign languages (optional) +

Choose from the following languages: Arabic, Russian, French, Chinese, Spanish, German

Semester 7
10 ECTS Internship +

Duration: 10 Weeks

10 ECTS Bachelor's Thesis +

Last but not least: Writing your Bachelor Thesis.

Master in Finance

3 Semesters (Single Degree) · 4 Semesters (Dual Degree) · M.A. · English · Start: September

Finding an Accounting Degree Program

What Makes Munich Business School Special

Munich is a Business Hub 

BMW, Allianz, ProSiebenSat.1, Westwing, FlixBus, Paulaner, Augustiner, and numerous international agencies and startups are headquartered in Munich and the surrounding area.



Faculty Members from the Business World

Small, international study groups led by instructors who have backgrounds in management accounting, auditing, and investment banking.



Business Projects with Real Companies

Real-world projects with companies like Deloitte, Allianz, Siemens, Lufthansa, and UniCredit—not just theory.



Career Center

A resource center offering targeted placement in Big Four firms, corporate controlling, and investment banking, as well as regular events with companies.



Study Abroad and Dual Degree Programs

A semester abroad at one of more than 70 partner universities worldwide, including dual-degree options.



AACSB Accreditation

Being among the mere 6% of business schools worldwide with this seal of approval, which is relevant for auditing and international finance departments.

How Much You Can Earn with an Accounting Degree

Figures in euros, gross annual salary, excluding bonuses. Based on career levels in controlling as the most representative career path for accounting graduates.

Source: Robert Half Salary Guide 2026 (as cited by Haufe.de, "Controller-Gehalt 2026"); StepStone Senior Controller Salary Report 2026.
Career Stage Gross Annual Salary (Median, Germany)
Entry level (0–2 years, e.g. Junior Controller / Accounting Trainee) approx. €55,000 – €60,500
Controller with experience (3–5 years) approx. €72,500 – €75,500
Senior Controller (6+ years) approx. €88,000 – €89,250
Head of Controlling approx. €89,250 – €120,000
CFO / Finance Director approx. €145,000 – €252,000

Possible Career Paths

Here you can learn all about the careers you can pursue after completing a degree in accounting.

Munich as a Finance Hub

Munich is Europe's leading location for the insurance industry and one of the most significant global hubs for reinsurance, with Allianz and Munich Re, two DAX-listed finance companies sit right on MBS's doorstep. The city is also home to major banks such as HypoVereinsbank/UniCredit and BayernLB, plus more than 70 additional regional and specialty insurers.

Particularly relevant for future accounting and finance professionals: around 50 venture capital and private equity firms are headquartered in Munich, and the city accounts for nearly 20% of Germany's leasing industry, both fields with high demand for controlling and accounting expertise. The Finanzplatz München Initiative brings together roughly 50 organizations from banking, insurance, academia and government, while the InsurTech Hub Munich connects finance and insurance expertise with digitalization.

Source: Munich Economic Development (Wirtschaftsförderung München), Finance Industry Focus (munich-business.eu), 2026.


How Is AI Changing Accounting?

Routine tasks such as data entry, account reconciliation and invoice checking are increasingly being automated, research on digitalization in accounting expects classic bookkeeping tasks to be noticeably supported or replaced by AI-driven software in the coming years. For graduates, the value of the role is shifting away from pure data entry toward interpretation, steering and strategic advisory work.

MBS reflects this directly in the curriculum: the Master in Finance covers "AI and Finance" as part of its advanced finance topics, alongside Digital Finance and Sustainable Finance. Studying accounting at MBS therefore means not just learning to read balance sheets, but learning to use AI-supported analysis tools for forecasting, risk assessment and decision support, a skill set that traditional bookkeeping training rarely covers.

Check yourself: Which program is right for you?

Find out which of our two accounting programs best suits your interests, goals, and preferred learning style. The self-assessment will give you an initial idea.

Bachelor International Business (Finance Concentration)

✓ Introduction to Business Administration with a Focus on Finance


✓ Elective Courses & International Focus


✓ German- and English-language modules possible


✓ 3 years of full-time study in Munich


Master in Finance

 

✓ Basic and advanced modules, as well as innovative modules


✓ Abroad and Internship


✓ 100 % English


✓ Business Project


The Degree Program

What these 5 MBS Accreditations Mean for You

A university’s accreditations are one of the most important indicators of the quality and recognition of its degree programs. Government agencies and renowned international accrediting organizations evaluate the academic excellence, practical focus, and adherence to international standards of universities. This ensures that your degree is highly regarded and opens many doors for you.

AACSB-Accreditation

An international seal of quality awarded to only 6% of business schools worldwide. It attests to high quality and enhances the recognition of the degree abroad.

State Recognition of Bavaria, Germany

The university is authorized to award officially recognized degrees. This is a basic requirement for the program and the degree to be legally recognized.

German Science Council

This is an independent evaluation of the entire university to assess its academic quality in research, teaching, and organization. Accreditation attests to institutional excellence.

FIBAA-Accreditation

FIBAA evaluates individual degree programs for their content, practical relevance, and structure. Accreditation guarantees students reliable quality in their chosen degree program throughout Europe.

Accreditation Council

The AR Foundation oversees the accreditation of degree programs in Germany, thereby ensuring the quality of academic studies and teaching. It guarantees high academic standards.

What Our Graduates Say

A Variety of Alumni – Diverse Paths and Perspectives

Frequently Asked Questions About the Accounting Program

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What do you learn in an accounting degree?

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Interested in Studying Finance?