MSc Accounting, Organisations and Institutions

About the MSc programme

This innovative and distinctive programme provides the opportunity to study at the interface between accounting, organisations and institutions from a rigorous interdisciplinary social science perspective. The programme does not require a background in accounting, and students with an initial training in the humanities or the social or natural sciences are encouraged to apply. The programme is aimed at those aspiring to careers in accounting, auditing and assurance, financial management, risk management, management control, management consultancy, and regulation, in a variety of for-profit and non-profit organisations globally. The degree also provides a preparation for those aspiring to embark on academic research in the field of accounting.

The programme is aimed at people with good undergraduate degrees, who should normally possess at least a good upper second class honours degree or equivalent. Given the high competition for places on this programme, applicants who indicate an interest in the MSc Accounting, Organisations and Institutions specifically as their first choice will maximise their prospect of admission to the programme. Equally, candidates should note the differentiated nature of the graduate programmes in the Department of Accounting, and are advised to identify their first choice accordingly. A short, focused, introductory course on accounting practices and techniques will be held at the beginning of the programme. Thereafter, you take examined courses up to a total of four full units. The average number of contact hours per week is 12 hours, which includes lectures and seminars. Office hours with teachers and academic advisers are available in addition to this.

Key features of the programme are:

• A stimulating and intellectually demanding approach to analysing the key issues facing accounting within the global economy.
• The opportunity to study accounting and its organisational and institutional significance in one of the world's leading social science institutions and departments of accounting.
• Blends LSE's tradition of developing the highest level of analytical skills with a focus on practice.
• Introduces students to key design issues for accounting and management control systems and their operation and regulation in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.
• Explores the interface between accounting, risk management systems and accountability.
• Provides exposure to the operational and strategic significance of accounting within modern organisations.
• Introduces students to the different ways in which accounting shapes modern organisations and institutions across a range of different contexts.
• Pays particular attention to the problems confronting accounting for hybrid and inter-organisational processes and structures.
• Aimed at those exceptional individuals aspiring to the highest levels of seniority, whether in accounting firms, management consultancies, or government and regulatory institutions.

Compulsory courses  

• Accounting, Organisations and Institutions†
• Management Accounting and Financial Accounting: Decisions, Control, Reporting and Disclosure~

Options

(* half unit)

Courses to the value of two full units from the following:

• Management Accounting, Strategy and Organisational Control #
• Accounting, Strategy and Control* #
• Accountability, Organisations and Risk Management*
• Valuation and Security Analysis*
• Accounting in the Global Economy*
• Institutions, Environmental Change and Development*
• Institutions and the Global Environment*
• The Long-Run Analysis of Firms and Industries*
• The Historical Context of Business*
• The Rise and Decline of Economic Policy in Twentieth-Century Europe
• The Development and Integration of the World Economy in the 19th and 20th Centuries
• International Economic Institutions since World War I* 
• Corporate Governance 
• Regulation of Financial Markets
• Regulation, Risk and Economic Life
• Economic Sociology*
• Law of International Economic and Financial Sanctions*
• Financial Reporting, Capital Markets and Business Combinations* ^
• Financial Reporting in Capital Markets ^ 
• Risk and Governance: A Sociological Approach* 
• Any other course with the approval of the programme director

† To reflect the strong research orientation of the programme, students must write a 6,000 word long essay which accounts for 50% of the mark of Compulsory course one

~ Students with a substantive and verifiable background in accounting must do either Management Accounting, Strategy and Organisational Control or a combination of Accounting, Strategy and Control and Financial Reporting in Capital Markets as Compulsory course two

^ # May not be taken together

Please note that options taken outside the Department of Accounting may be subject to availability.