Program Overview

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Accounting refers to a wide range of topics within a vast research field which covers themes including: management accounting, reporting and analysis and accountable accounting. You will explore qualitative and quantitative methods of research specifically designed to reflect the field of accounting. MRes Accounting is designed for those who wish to follow a career in research and/or academia as there is a strong research focus in this degree, although there are some taught elements which will support your knowledge of the research field. An MRes is the ideal first step if you hope to progress to doctoral studies, such as PhD. You deepen your thinking about accounting and develop a broader understanding of the changing roles and perceptions of accounting within an ever-changing social context. MRes Accounting explores research and accounting theory issues, such as:

• research skills, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches
• theoretical stances underpinning different approaches to research
• how to design a research proposal, including construction of research questions and/or hypotheses
• launching and managing a research project, including data collection, analysis and interpretation
• corporate reporting and analysis
• management accounting

We equip you with the skills and knowledge to appreciate the depth and breadth of accounting theories and techniques and apply these within a social science context. You benefit from cutting edge research conducted by our Accounting Group who specialise in accounting, accountability and global development. At Essex Business School . we champion ethical management and sustainable business. We believe accounting information is the foundation for successful decision-making and further develop your practical accounting skills and theoretical knowledge so you can make a positive impact in the workplace or in accounting research. Why we're great.

• This course is the perfect first step towards a PhD in accounting.
• Join both thriving research centres that support the world-leading accounting research conducted at Essex Business School.
• Enjoy the flexibility to choose some modules to ensure you have the perfect foundation for your chosen research topic.

Our expert staff

Essex Business School has a number of established research strengths in accounting, including:

• accounting in emerging economies
• sustainable accounting
• governance
• global development
• public sector accounting
• regulation and reporting

Our researchers make a significant impact on the lives of people all around the world, with past and current research projects covering five continents. The experience and findings of our experts will feature throughout your teaching. For example, you’ll hear from Professor Thankom Arun , Professor of Global Development and Accountability. Professor Arun recently led an international team exploring how to mainstream the financial inclusion agenda, which attracted nearly £200,000 from UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI). The research has led to better access to financial services, such as insurance protection, for those most in need and policy changes to help improve the economic resilience of low-income families at risk across Africa and Asia. In fact, Thankom’s research on micro-insurance spans five countries and covers a population of over 10 million people. One under-served group impacted by his research are women start-up entrepreneurs in India as his work underpinned the development of a gender framework for running rehabilitation camps in emergency contexts. Two research centres support the research activities taking place in the accounting group. They organise seminars by external invited speakers; Essex Business School staff and research students; co-ordinate workshop programmes; and schedule bi-annual conferences of international renown. These offer a further excellent opportunity for you to engage with the very latest research and ideas in the field of accounting. Essex Accounting Centre conducts distinctive world-class research, with a particular focus on accounting research applied in developing countries, including topics such as social responsibility and corporate governance; management accounting change; and corruption and accountability. Our interdisciplinary centre, the Centre for Accountability and Global Development (CAGD) , is a dynamic hub for social justice research, with a particular focus on accountability across all sectors in both developed and emerging economies. The Centre contributes to impactful global development through rigorous research and engagement with the policy community, which complements the existing research strengths and expertise established within the Essex Accounting Centre.

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Specialist facilities

Our MRes Accounting is based at our Colchester Campus . You’ll be studying at Essex Business School , home to the first zero carbon business school in the UK– demonstrating our sustainable approach to business first-hand. Set around a lush winter garden, with shared spaces to encourage collaborative working, you’ll find a wealth of inspiring teaching and study zones:

• a virtual trading floor with Bloomberg Financial Market Labs, where you’ll gain hands-on experience and learn how to model financial data in a practical setting
• access to company reporting databases, Passport (GMID) and NEXIS advance UK
• learn in modern lecture theatres with ‘listen again’ recording to aid your study
• utilise study booths in our winter garden and versatile break out areas for group working throughout the building
• study skills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
• networking opportunities with visiting businesses and careers events
• Bonds café and adjacent foyer to enjoy on-site fresh food and drink

You'll also benefit from fantastic University facilities located close by, including our state-of-the-art Silberrad Student Centre, complete with an open-access 24-hour Learning Hub and a cutting-edge media centre. Our building is located on the Knowledge Gateway , home to some of the region’s most exciting enterprises in the science, technology and creative sectors. The Knowledge Gateway provides potential networking and career opportunities for students directly on campus.

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Your future

Our courses are designed to foster the business leaders of the future who, through creativity, innovation and ethical awareness, can meet the many challenges that the international business world continues to present. Many of our students enjoy roles in areas such as financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy. They progress to work for high-profile organisations and innovative SMEs such as:

• KPMG
• Grant Thornton LLP
• Ministry of Taxes of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• ERS Insurance Group
• Groupon
• Credit Data Research, an SME finance provider
• Coast Digital, an award-winning marketing agency
• Humanity First UK

Our Student Support team work closely with the University’s Employability and Careers service to help you with careers information and advice and CV support. They will help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities and provide access to employer talks on campus. We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support our budding entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground. “I chose this course because I wanted to develop my research skills before continuing to a PhD. Essex Business School takes a philosophical and social science approach to research and that appealed to me. I’ve found the staff to be professional and friendly.” Mohammad Ali Al-Tamimi, MRes Accounting 2016