A bachelor's degree program in finance is structured to teach an array of financial concepts and build a broad foundation of financial aspects for different business sectors. A finance program will cover such topics as financial analysis and investment management, as well as courses in accounting, economics and business in order to get a well-rounded understanding of the field. The program instills the necessary education needed to equip students to pursue professional roles or higher-level degrees, as many students who obtain a bachelor's in finance go on to pursue a master's degree as well.
A bachelor's degree program in accounting focuses primarily on aspects of the accounting field with some additional courses in finance and business. Some of the topics provided by a typical program include accounting systems, auditing, income tax, cost accounting and financial accounting. These programs also provide a foundation in business with courses in topics such as information technology, business law and business statistics.
If you're thinking about going directly into the work force, there are a variety of positions open to those with a bachelor's degree in finance. Some of the entry-level positions available to graduates include mortgage sales associate, financial advisor, associate accountant and financial assistant. Students who pursue a master's degree in finance will seek higher level and more prominent positions such as chief financial officer.
For most students, pursuing a bachelor's degree in accounting is a stepping stone in their career path. Although equipped to seek positions such as accounting clerk and bookkeeper, the real goal of most accounting students is to become an accountant. As such, those who wish to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) must take the CPA Exam. Having a bachelor's degree in accounting is no longer enough to be qualified to take the exam; the exact requirements vary by state, but on average you must complete at least 150 course credit hours to qualify. This is why many students opt to pursue a graduate program following completion of their bachelor's degree.