The Master of Science in Accounting and Finance (MSAC) programme holds significant importance in the global context, as finance and accounting play pivotal roles in driving economic growth and enabling effective decision-making within organizations. As the global economy faces increasing complexities and challenges, the demand for highly trained professionals in accounting and finance becomes crucial to address emerging trends and contribute to sustainable financial practices (Venter, Gordon, Street, 2018). In Sub-Saharan Africa, a region characterized by a diverse economic landscape and growing opportunities, the demand for skilled accounting and finance professionals is even more critical. The MSAC programme aims to cater for this demand by providing specialized training that aligns with the unique financial needs and regulatory environments of Sub-Saharan African countries. By equipping students with a deep understanding of local financial markets, taxation laws, and financial reporting standards, the programme enables them to excel in their roles and contribute to economic development and financial stability in the region. In addition, finance and accounting professionals in Africa also need to acquire/improve skills in relatively new concept areas, including climate change and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure requirements. Even in more traditional roles, it is believed that the professionals could benefit some more from well-targeted capacity building interventions. And the same can be said of the public sector, where the insufficiency or absence of capacity has stalled important public financial management reforms – including the adoption of international standards (ACCA, 2022).
Master of Science in Accounting and Finance
Career Path
Upon completion of the programme, graduates should be able to:
- Apply advanced knowledge and practice of accounting and finance.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct research in accounting and or finance.
- Test and advise on accounting and finance issues
- Strategically execute accounting and finance knowledge to optimize compliance with international financial reporting standards.
- Implementation of management skills to handle accounting and finance challenges, technological changes and emerging issues in accounting and finance.
Course Modules
Year One
| Programme structure Year 1: Semester 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| CODE | COURSE | LH | TH | PH | CH | CU | Category | |||||||||||
| ACC 7110 | Financial Reporting | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | ||||||||||||
| ACC 7111 | Accounting and Finance Theory | 45 | 45 | 3 | Core | |||||||||||||
| ACC 7112 | Strategic Management Accounting | 60 | 60 | 4 | Core | |||||||||||||
| ACC 7113 | Corporate Finance | 60 | 60 | 4 | Core | |||||||||||||
| ACC 7114 | Statistics for Business Decision Making | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 | Core | ||||||||||||
| ACC 7115 | Taxation | 45 | 45 | 3 | Core | |||||||||||||
| Credit units | 22 | |||||||||||||||||
| Year 1: Semester 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ACC 7207 | Assurance and financial advisory | 60 | 60 | 4 | Core | |||||||||||||
| ACC 7208 | Public Sector Accounting | 60 | 60 | 4 | Core | |||||||||||||
| ACC 7209 | International Financial Management | 60 | 60 | 4 | Core | |||||||||||||
| ACC 7210 | Research methodology | 60 | 60 | 4 | core | |||||||||||||
| Electives (pick any two courses) | ||||||||||||||||||
| ACC 7211 | Strategic management | 45 | 45 | 3 | Elective | |||||||||||||
| ACC 7224 | Business intelligence & data analytics | 15 | 60 | 45 | 3 | Elective | ||||||||||||
| ACC 7225 | Accounting software programs | 15 | 60 | 45 | 3 | Elective | ||||||||||||
| ACC 7226 | Investment and portfolio management (IPM) | 45 | 45 | 3 | Elective | |||||||||||||
| Credit units | 21 | |||||||||||||||||
| Year 2: Semester 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ACC 8103 | Accounting and finance seminar 1 | 0 | 30 | 120 | 75 | 5 | Core | |||||||||||
Year Two
| Year 2: Semester 2 | ||||||||
| ACC 8202 | Accounting and finance seminar 2 | 0 | 30 | 120 | 75 | 5 | Core | |
| ACC 8203 | Dissertation | 0 | 30 | 540 | 150 | 10 | Core | |
| Credit units | 15 | |||||||
| Total Credit units 62 | 63 | |||||||
Entry Requirements
To be admitted into this programme, a candidate must possess the following:
- At least a lower Second Division Honors in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Management or Business from Makerere University or its equivalent from a recognized and Chartered University.
- A Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management or Finance and Accounting from Makerere University Business School or its equivalent from a recognized and chartered Institution.
- Possession of appropriate professional qualifications like ACCA, CPA, CFA and Diploma in Finance/Accounting from the Chartered Institutes or its equivalent.
Tuition Structure
To be admitted into this programme, a candidate must possess the following:
- At least a lower Second Division Honors in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Management or Business from Makerere University or its equivalent from a recognized and Chartered University.
- A Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management or Finance and Accounting from Makerere University Business School or its equivalent from a recognized and chartered Institution.
- Possession of appropriate professional qualifications like ACCA, CPA, CFA and Diploma in Finance/Accounting from the Chartered Institutes or its equivalent.
