StudyLink logoHome
Students on a university campus

Masters Degrees in Accounting in China

Highlighted course

Professional Accounting MSc

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) China

Find out more
All Accounting Masters Degrees

Looking for your first degree in Accounting? See bachelors degrees in Accounting in China

Study a Accounting Masters in China in 2025

Accounting is the process of preparation, presentation and interpretation of financial information. An accountant is responsible for collecting, sorting, summarising and presenting financial data, as well as helping organisations and individuals to make decisions about how their finances are utilised. Businesses will normally work with an accountant when reporting their income, and paying their taxes. You will learn the basics of accounting, as well as how to use the newer technologies to optimise your work.

An undergraduate degree will give you a foundation knowledge of accounting. You will explore the roles of an accountant, and look at how they determine financial stability, wealth, profitability and liquidity. You will gain an understanding of working as a self-employed accountant, as well as working within a corporate organisation.

Your accounting degree will normally be taught mainly through lectures and seminars. You may be given opportunities to take part in group projects, which will give you an insight into how you may deal with a client or account in a work environment. Some universities may offer you the option of a work placement year, but this is not guaranteed.

Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise towards the end of your degree. This specialisation can help you to explore which areas of accounting you prefer, and potentially influence your future career path. Common specialisations include:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Auditing
  • Taxation
  • Forensic Accounting
  • Fraud Examination

If your degree requires you to write a dissertation, this will give you an opportunity to further research an area of interest within accounting.

The accreditation gained from an accounting degree will depend on where you choose to study, and your specific course. Generally, you can expect to gain a Bachelor of Science, but your course might award a Bachelor of the Arts. This will be influenced by the content of your course. Different countries can also sometimes have different accreditation systems.

As well as gaining your degree, you will most likely also be required to gain some extra professional accounting qualifications before you can become a certified accountant. Some degrees include these certifications, but not all. Two examples of the bodies who accredit degrees and certify accountants are the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Typically, an undergraduate degree in accounting will take three to four years. Foundation degrees, diplomas and certificates can last up to two years when studied full-time.

Once you have completed your undergraduate degree, you can either seek employment in your chosen field or further your studies. Continuation of your studies could be in the form of a postgraduate degree, such as a masters, an MBA, or a PhD, or a graduate diploma or certificate. As well as this, you can go on to gain professional qualifications in accounting and finance.

Accounting graduates will be able to find work in either the private or public sectors, in a wide range of fields. Many graduates choose to work in roles related to business accounting, such as human resources, financial management and numerical clerkship. As well as these roles, you could take traineeships in accounting and auditing firms as part of your path to becoming an accountant.

Your transferable skills such as analytical thinking, financial competency and accuracy, coupled with your knowledge of business practices and structure mean that you will also be able to find work in other areas. Popular destinations outside of accounting include consultancy work, banker, purchasing manager, budget analyst and risk management.

A postgraduate degree in accounting will allow you to develop on your knowledge and skills gained at undergraduate level. Modules you study could include international finance, environmental accounting, advanced audit and taxation, SAS programming, and accountancy in the digital age.

Study in China

China has long been regarded as a global superpower when it comes to economic, business and political standing. Its reputation as a higher education destination has taken longer to earn, but is rewarded on merit. The country's government has invested in university and higher education over the last few years, with the aim to increase the international student population. This investment has meant that there are many more courses offered in English than there were a few years ago, making China a new and exciting destination for international students.

See our detailed guide to studying in China for international students.

Sign up to StudyLink.com

Sign up to StudyLink.com, the home of quality study abroad advice.

Sign up now
Students with books and test tubes

International study advice

Read our selection of advice articles for those looking to start on their study abroad adventure. Covering topics from study visas, applications, funding and choosing the right course and institution:

World map on a blackboard
Deciding to study abroad: The first steps

Read StudyLink's suggestions on your first steps when deciding where to study abroad, with helpful tips to make your decision easier.

A camera, a visa and a world map
International Study Visas

Find out more about international student visas for studying abroad, as well as how, where and when to apply for yours.

Person holding a compass
How to choose the ideal study destination for you

In this article we look at how to approach choosing where in the world you would like to study.

Students reading a book
English Language Testing for International Students

Find out more about English language tests, your options and what is required as an overseas student.

More Advice and Guidance for Studying Abroad