Accounting and finance personal statement example 1

“The world of finance and investment banking attracts many top graduates. For many people this
degree can lead to a stimulating and rewarding career that is associated with very high salaries,
glamorous lifestyles and stable long term careers. For me personally one of the biggest attractions to
this subject is the bewildering array of career opportunities it offers to suit all interests including;
auditing work, management consulting, corporate finance, IT consulting, tax planning, human resources
and insolvency.

As a person who likes to be in charge, have responsibility and be accountable, I see myself in the future
as potentially running my own business or being in a management role. After studying accountancy for
the first time at college, I discovered that it was the language of business, primarily because its sole
purpose was to communicate information to decision makers. As I want to be a future business decision
maker, I have decided that this is the subject I need to learn, as it will show me how to get valuable
information, teach me what it means and also train me in how to use it to make better decisions.

At some stage, all organisations have to present their performance in the form of financial statements.
Accounting and finance professionals have to present and interpret such statements to verify and
monitor the health of the company behind them. It is this particular aspect that has always appealed to
me, I am keen to learn about the financial and accounting decisions that businesses and organisations
need to make to be profitable and survive. Another major reason that attracts me to this course is that it
is the first step towards possibly running my own business in the future. I have always wanted to be my
own boss, and after graduating, and then working in the industry I eventually want to be able to
progress to launching my own business in the financial services industry. In my view if you want to make
money, to manage money or just to be the master of your own finances, then this degree course is for
you.

I consider myself a well-rounded individual, who is equipped with the core skills that are needed to
thrive in the modern business environment. I have drive, motivation and a ‘never give up’ attitude that
helps me to overcome problems and issues that seem insurmountable. I am fully up to date with new
developments and change in the national and international business world, particularly in key areas such
as taxation, regulatory and institutional issues.

I studied accountancy at college and learnt a great deal about the specific rules and practices of
accounting in areas such as auditing, as well as looking in greater depth at management accounting and
its relationship to broader aspects of leadership. I came to realise the importance of control, validation
and the accuracy of accounting records, and was learnt how to prepare financial statements for
organisations as well as how to apply accounting principles and concepts to the preparation of accounts.
Through my college education I have built up a comprehensive understanding of concepts such as good
corporate governance, investments, valuation theory, asset pricing, market micro-structure, capital
structure and dividend policy, risk-hedging and liquidity management.

Over the summer months to earn extra money and also gain relevant work experience, I took a
temporary job as a Financial Accounts assistant. Working as part of a team I was involved in the
reconciliation of balance sheets, invoice processing, completing monthly VAT, income tax and National
Insurance returns and also general cashier duties. The duties I performed were highly valued and
impacted visibly on the business and people within it. I didn’t just process numbers but was involved in
collecting and organising vital information for senior managers.

I am applying to your university because I feel it has a strong international focus, and a developed global
perspective to business. Your institution is highly respected, and the accounting and finance degree
courses you run are entirely relevant to today’s business world. It is important to me that future
potential employers know that I have a studied a rigorous degree at a renowned university like yours. In
a nutshell I feel that I am suitable for your course because I have a good head for numbers, am
commercially aware and have a strong desire to enter this profession.”

ACCOUNTANCY DEGREE
Accountancy courses tend to attract some of the brightest and most intelligent university students, most
are enticed by the prospects of having financially rewarding careers that offer long term career
advancement opportunities. Although they are challenging and rigorous degrees they are also the ones
that are more likely to enhance a students work ethic, improve their decision making skills and also
increase their ability to occasional do mind-numbing work for a long periods of time.

Experienced accountants with proven financial skills are invaluable to companies and are in great
demand right across the business world. Once qualified and suitably experienced, accountants will be
providing accurate financial advice to their clients or employees on matters to do with cash flow, profit
and loss, tax and auditing etc. Accountancy is a growing industry and there are many job opportunities
for bright, enthusiastic graduates with enquiring minds.

Indeed it’s widely recognized as a recession proof sector, with potential earnings far in excess of other
professions. However all of these benefits come at a price, it’s a job that can be extremely complex,
requires a lot of concentration and carries a great deal of responsibility.

Choosing an accountancy degree course

If you are not sure what accounting field you want to enter then to make the best informed decision you
need to sit down, do a bit of researching and think a few things through. Remember than earning an
accounting degree is not easy, it will take effort, a lot of number crunching and discipline. It’s therefore
better if you know exactly what you want before you start to choose a university or course, rather than
having second thoughts half way through your course. Key points you should consider are:

Why do you want to become an accountant

Carry out a self assessment of your ambitions, for instance has it always been your goal to become an
accountant or is it the earning potential and job security that attracts you. Think about this and write
down your answers in detail, this process will stop you from drifting into a course for no apparent
reason.

What field

There are so many specialties to choose from that it can be confusing. If you know exactly what job role
your after then this can go along way to helping you with your course selection. When deciding be
practical and try to take into consideration your strengths and weaknesses i.e. subjects you like doing
and those you don’t like doing.

Which university and were to study

This is also a important question to answer, for practical reasons just as much as academic ones. Do you
want to stay at home whilst studying or do you prefer to move to another town or city, and if so would
you be able to afford it? The first thing to do is to start researching the best universities to learn
accounting for your area of specialization. Once you have this shortlist you will have a better idea of the
options available to you.

ACCOUNTING PERSONAL STATEMENT

Below are three professionally written accounting personal statement examples. You are advised not to
copy them word for word, but to instead use them as guides.

Accounting personal statement example 1

“The City of London is a world leader in international finance and business services, a global powerhouse
at the heart of the UK’s financial services. This is a world that I aspire to eventually work in, hopefully for
exciting and rewarding companies like J P Morgan, Merrill Lynch, CSFB and Morgan Stanley.

I have chosen to study this degree because it will give me a chance to step into the economic world and
an opportunity to benefit from the high demand that there currently is for accounting graduates in the
jobs market. On top of this, accountancy it is something that has struck a cord with me, as I have always
liked numbers and mathematics.

On a more personal level my experiences to date have led me to understand the importance of listening
to others, as well as thorough research, preparation and the significance of being flexible. As an
independent person I feel that my strongest individual strengths are an ability to work quickly and
accurately, concentrate for long periods of time and to be able to work to deadlines. In problem solving I
am logical, analytical and give attention to detail, I also have an ingrained habit of analysing everything
before I make any important decisions.
Whilst at college I gained four A levels, with the help of my teachers who were really involved and
experienced. There was a lot of different courses and the rhythm of work was quite intensive. I took part
in many also took part in a schooling programmes and am proud to say that I was also awarded a
certificate for my 100% punctuality and attendance. I really enjoyed my time at college and an looking
forward to continuing my academic studies at university.

Over the summer months I was lucky enough to get two months work experience, as an intern, with an
accountancy firm. This was a great for me, as I was eager to see at first hand how things worked in the
real world of accountancy. My ability to pick up new information and skills pretty quickly came in use,
and for the first time in my life I was involved in solving problems in a real case scenarios, and not just
using theory from a book. It allowed me to really gain an understanding of what is involved in all areas
within the industry, and has enabled me to discover the areas I most preferred. I leant a lot of skills on
the job, including filing accounts, financial reporting, taxation, auditing, forensic accounting, corporate
finance, business recovery and insolvency.

I believe that my personal attributes, academic achievements and relevant financial experience to date
all make me an ideal student for you course. I posses a genuine passion for the subject, and have a keen
interest in what’s going on in the financial world. On top of this I am a very sociable person, who
possesses excellent interpersonal skills that allow me to inspire and motivate people I work and study
with. In this way I can make a positive contribution to your university, as I will actively be involved in
student events and activities that will help to promote a healthy learning environment for all.

My core ambition right now is to build up my knowledge of the areas that I have learnt about so far, and
just as importantly, develop those accountancy skills that I don’t have. I believe that studying at your
institution will help me to achieve these aims and also prepare me for a better future and upon
graduation will give me a competitive edge over other graduates. Right now I am greatly looking forward
to the challenge of university life, both socially and mentally. In conclusion I can assure you that I will be
a capable and dedicated student who has the commitment and dedication to finish your course, whilst
at the same time contributing greatly to your university in more ways than one.”

Accounting personal statement example 2

“I once read that people are either blessed or doomed to be accountants, to me the choice is a bit more
complicated than that. I feel that a career in this profession can be a bit of both, as at times you can be
doomed to long periods of repetitive work, whilst on the other hand there is the very real prospect of a
secure, well paid, rewarding career.

Choosing this subject was a natural choice, despite the fact that as someone who aspires to become an
accountant, maths was never my strongest subject at school. Having said that I always enjoyed number
crunching, working out calculations and the opportunity these activities gave me to exercise my mind
like never before. For me the most interesting part of accountancy is the problem solving aspect, I
always get a little excited when I have solved a problem or figured out why an account does not balance.
I feel that its a combination of all these factors which have really attracted me to this subject, along with
an inquisitive nature that encourages me to pry into the financial workings of companies. I always enjoy
studying and examining in detail the financial dealings of individual businesses or industries, and
learning about their profitability, earnings and potential. Although this may sound unusual for someone
who wants to become an accountant, it is the truth.

There is a huge demand for accountants who understand the specific needs of small businesses, and
who have the ability to work quickly and accurately to achieve strict deadlines in a high pressure
environment. I feel that I have all of these attributes, along with being commercially astute and having
proven problem solving skills. All my academic experience to date, coupled with my work experience has
helped me to become an excellent communicator who is able to plan and prioritise a busy and varied
academic workload. I feel I am equipped with the ability to drive strong dialogue across all levels and
have the confidence to present my views on an internal and external basis.

At college, where I achieved straight A’s in three A’ levels, there were some extremely talented people
on the course. By associating with these students and learning from my tutors I received a well-rounded
introduction to the numerous aspects of accountancy and related subjects. My academic experience at
college, where I excelled, confirmed to me that I had made the right choice to look at this subject as a
possible career, and it only increased my drive to become fully qualified in accounts.

Recently I have held down a temporary job at an accountancy firm which provided me with in-depth
knowledge that in the future can be directly applied to a career within finance or other business-related
working environments. I was part of a small and very busy finance team, dealing with a range of
accountancy related activities, such as; accounts preparation for SME’s, Partnerships and Ltd companies.
I was also involved in projects that serviced company profit and loss accounts by reviewing income
streams and compliance with service level agreements. Reporting directly to the Finance Manager of the
company, I was responsible for key areas of activity, including; coding of invoices, balance sheet
reconciliations, analysing costs and producing associated commentary, and also internal invoice
recharging. I came away from this experience with a strong combination of technical accounting ability,
commercial awareness, team leadership skills and empathy for an environment in which customer
service is paramount.

Having the right temperament is vital to being an effective accountant, and I am glad to say that I am
both analytical and patient when it comes to problem solving. It can be very frustrating at times when
you cannot reconcile numbers, and the last thing you want to do is loose it mentally.

After looking at all my options I have decided to continue my studies at your institution. The level of
teaching and reputation of your university is well known and after meeting the lecturers and current
students, it stood out even more from the rest. It’s in a great location, everything is so close, and it
appears very student orientated. If accepted on your course I also want to assure you that not only will I
be a model student, but I will also work tirelessly to sustain and enhance your institutions mission
statement, and support and promote its vision.”

Accounting personal statement example 3

“Accountancy has traditionally been a detail-oriented profession, and although that is still important,
modern accountants require a much broader set of abilities. They need highly developed analytical skills,
along with the ability to effectively and clearly communicate financial information to a broad audience.
In a nutshell I believe that I have all of these abilities as well as the IT skills, patience, painstaking eye for
detail, and great diligence required to become an effective accountant.

If you hate it, you’ll be bad at it, if you love it you’ll be good at it. With this in mind I can say with
sincerity that I have a real passion for accountancy, the thing that really excites me about it, is that you
will not only be dispensing technical advice but you will also be helping clients with their businesses in a
real way, making them more cost effective and hopefully more profitable. Practising accounting not only
helps you to understand the basics of how businesses work, it also gets you closer to the people who
actually run them. Building up these contacts can help accountants move into areas of management
later on in life.

As a growing field, it also offers superb career prospects, with much of this growth due to increased
regulations, which in turn has led to many different areas of specialism developing. On top of this is the
fact that once an accountant has become established in their field, they then have opportunities to
move to other areas of business. I am constantly reminded of and reassured by the fact that virtually
every company and organisation in the country needs the services of an accountant.

I feel I can differentiate myself from the ‘crowd’ to some extend by my extensive interpersonal skills and
my belief that accounting is not only a numbers business, but also a people business. This attitude will I
feel allow me in the future to interact positively and effectively with the people I will run across on a
daily basis, be they clients, professionals or ordinary people. I am also able to work at pace and maintain
a high level of accuracy for long periods, my other personal strengths are having a ‘can do’ attitude and
a willingness to challenge established ideas. As a confident and proactive character, I like to think that I
can inspire and motivate others, whilst at the same time build confidence with people I am
communicating with.

During my time at College I took on a part-time job with a accountancy firm to try and build up my work
experience. I was a member of a small team responsible for the preparation and consolidation of
corporate revenue budgets, financial statements, and Government returns. Although the daily routine
was rather repetitive, I was able to work quickly and accurately on tasks to achieve strict deadlines in a
high pressure environment. Given a high workload that had conflicting priorities, I applied logic to every
decision I had to make in areas such as payroll preparation, Sales, Bought, Stock and Nominal Ledgers,
and cost control. I was commended more than once for identifying opportunities for cost reduction and
revenue enhancement.

Whilst at the company I learnt about co-ordinating the annual financial cycle, including budget
preparation, budget monitoring, accounts preparation and the external audit process. I also gained
extensive knowledge of excel and PowerPoint and discovered the importance of being able to articulate
oneself in a very business-like and professional manner.

I am serious about a career in accounting and am now actively looking to enrol on a degree course which
will give me the skill sets that any future prospective employer will be looking for. My previous
academic achievements, work experience and extra-curricular activities, have allowed me to mature as
an individual to the extent that I feel I am now ready to enrol at a university. I would like to be
considered as a student at your university, as I feel that I have the key skills, personal attributes and
relevant experience that would not only make me a successful undergraduate, but also a asset to your
institution.”

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACCOUNTANCY DEGREE COURSES

The advantages of having a accountancy degree

In the UK you do not need to have an accountancy degree to become an accountant. However the
advantage of having one is that you are exempt from having to sit certain professional stage
examinations that non degree holders have to take.

These degree courses provide students with practical experience as well as theoretical know how.

A degree course will give you a real practical idea of what an accountant does on a daily basis. This
experience can help you decide on whether you really want to commit to a financial career were you’ll
spend most of your working life number crunching. If not then all is not lost, as an accounting degree is
still highly prized by many employers outside of the financial industry.

You will have under your belt a internationally recognised qualification that carries a lot of weight and
that you can use in job applications anywhere in the world.

The degree will prepare you for a career in investment banking, professional accountancy and financial
management or consultancy.

Help you to develop the accounting skills and academic qualifications that are vital for a successful
career in accounting.

Understanding finance, commerce and industry.

Studying regulations and standards in an increasingly globalised environment.

The essentials of Corporate reporting.

How to produce authoritative reports and assignments on business related issues.

Accounting history.

Comprehensive understanding of accounting practices.

Financial techniques.

Learn about economics and the world of business.

The uses and limitations of financial management accounting.

Budgeting and control.

Mathematical techniques.

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE DEGREE

Both accounting and finance are right at the heart of the business decision-making process, its a fast-
paced, dynamic subject that requires students to be adaptable, flexible and intelligent. In today’s world
there is much more to it than just spreadsheets and calculators, these days accounting and finance
graduates need to have technical expertise, be excellent communicators and have good IT skills. All of
these are abilities which have been identified in research with employers as critical for accounting
professionals.

This popular degree has a career-orientated focus, and will help you develop a good mix of subject-
specific, technical and more general transferable skills. In a student it will develop practical accountancy
and finance skills for both a UK and international context, and will help to build real business knowledge
and personal transferable skills. It will equip you with the broad based competencies required for a
career in the accounting and finance world. Students will develop the expertise required to make sound
judgements for financial measurement and presentation, together with gaining an understanding of the
legal framework regulating operational practice.

Most degree courses are accredited by the following major accounting bodies: ACCA, CIOT, CIMA and
ICAEW. Depending on the options taken, some can offer students partial professional qualification
exemption. These accreditations or exemptions are dependent on the units that students choose to
take. For more information on this point you should contact the course academic team, who will be able
to give you guidance on the best units to choose to suit and support your career aspirations.

Accounting and finance degree course overview

Lectures are contemporary and focused, with case studies looking at the published results of real
companies, and many courses inviting high profile business guest speakers to share their experiences
and insights with students. In addition to the lecture and seminar programme, you will receive regular
skills-based and exam question focused support sessions to help you study effectively and to prepare for
forthcoming examinations.

Assessment is done by various methods, including group work and reports, oral presentations and
computer-based work, as well as academic essays.

Typical course modules and areas of study on a accounting and finance degree
Introduction to accounting

Introduction to economics

Business management

Financial reporting

Management Accounting

Audit and control

Advanced Accounting Theory and Practice

Entrepreneurship

International finance

Company and employment law

Strategic management

Enterprise

International taxation

Financial regulation

Professional and Financial Skills

Statistical Decision Making

Financial Strategy

Managing Performance

Global Finance

Principles of banking

Elements of the law of contract

Microeconomics

Strategy

The law of business organisation

Mathematics and Quantitative Methods for Accounting

Students will learn about

The key functional areas in accounting and finance.

Business administration.

Students will learn how to

Communicate orally and through writing.

Produce professional reports and assignments on current business issues.

Prepare and present arguments in a structured professional way.

identify financial problems early on.

Accounting and finance personal statement

Below is a accounting and finance personal statement written by one of our writers. You can use this
example to gain an idea of how to structure and put together your own one. You are strongly advised
not to copy or plagiarise it, instead use it as a resource to inspire your own creative writing.

Accounting and finance personal statement example 1

“The world of finance and investment banking attracts many top graduates. For many people this
degree can lead to a stimulating and rewarding career that is associated with very high salaries,
glamorous lifestyles and stable long term careers. For me personally one of the biggest attractions to
this subject is the bewildering array of career opportunities it offers to suit all interests including;
auditing work, management consulting, corporate finance, IT consulting, tax planning, human resources
and insolvency.

As a person who likes to be in charge, have responsibility and be accountable, I see myself in the future
as potentially running my own business or being in a management role. After studying accountancy for
the first time at college, I discovered that it was the language of business, primarily because its sole
purpose was to communicate information to decision makers. As I want to be a future business decision
maker, I have decided that this is the subject I need to learn, as it will show me how to get valuable
information, teach me what it means and also train me in how to use it to make better decisions.
At some stage, all organisations have to present their performance in the form of financial statements.
Accounting and finance professionals have to present and interpret such statements to verify and
monitor the health of the company behind them. It is this particular aspect that has always appealed to
me, I am keen to learn about the financial and accounting decisions that businesses and organisations
need to make to be profitable and survive. Another major reason that attracts me to this course is that it
is the first step towards possibly running my own business in the future. I have always wanted to be my
own boss, and after graduating, and then working in the industry I eventually want to be able to
progress to launching my own business in the financial services industry. In my view if you want to make
money, to manage money or just to be the master of your own finances, then this degree course is for
you.

I consider myself a well-rounded individual, who is equipped with the core skills that are needed to
thrive in the modern business environment. I have drive, motivation and a ‘never give up’ attitude that
helps me to overcome problems and issues that seem insurmountable. I am fully up to date with new
developments and change in the national and international business world, particularly in key areas such
as taxation, regulatory and institutional issues.

I studied accountancy at college and learnt a great deal about the specific rules and practices of
accounting in areas such as auditing, as well as looking in greater depth at management accounting and
its relationship to broader aspects of leadership. I came to realise the importance of control, validation
and the accuracy of accounting records, and was learnt how to prepare financial statements for
organisations as well as how to apply accounting principles and concepts to the preparation of accounts.
Through my college education I have built up a comprehensive understanding of concepts such as good
corporate governance, investments, valuation theory, asset pricing, market micro-structure, capital
structure and dividend policy, risk-hedging and liquidity management.

Over the summer months to earn extra money and also gain relevant work experience, I took a
temporary job as a Financial Accounts assistant. Working as part of a team I was involved in the
reconciliation of balance sheets, invoice processing, completing monthly VAT, income tax and National
Insurance returns and also general cashier duties. The duties I performed were highly valued and
impacted visibly on the business and people within it. I didn’t just process numbers but was involved in
collecting and organising vital information for senior managers.

I am applying to your university because I feel it has a strong international focus, and a developed global
perspective to business. Your institution is highly respected, and the accounting and finance degree
courses you run are entirely relevant to today’s business world. It is important to me that future
potential employers know that I have a studied a rigorous degree at a renowned university like yours. In
a nutshell I feel that I am suitable for your course because I have a good head for numbers, am
commercially aware and have a strong desire to enter this profession.”