Murdoch University, a name synonymous with high quality of education, has launched the new Finance major here in Singapore, in collaboration with SMa School of Management (SMa SOM). Along with 4 other majors including Management, Marketing Management, Human Resource Management and Professional Accounting, it completes the full set of business disciplines required to run any organisation successfully.

Finance has seen a surge of demand for skilled professionals in Singapore and the region, especially with the financial sector boom, and with some of the world's largest investment banks establishing their regional headquarters here. There continues to be a serious shortage of qualified financial analysts, credit managers, trust fund managers, financial planners, monetary economists and statisticians to fuel this sector. Starting salaries in the finance sector are among the highest of any profession in Singapore, surpassing even that of medicine and law in most cases.

Murdoch's Finance degree offers students an in-depth yet broad-based view of the finance profession - including areas like capital investment decisions, cost of capital, sources of funds, dividend policy, working capital management, efficient capital markets, portfolio management, the use of options, futures, forward exchange contracts and other derivative financial instruments, as well as international finance. These are designed to equip them with the necessary skills to obtain employment in such areas as stock-broking, insurance and banking as well as preparing them with the skills for careers in finance in public and private sector organisations.

On the other hand, there is a severe shortage of qualified accounting professionals nowadays. Accounting graduates are in hot demand not only within the accounting profession, but also in all sectors in the economy. An accounting qualification will be the first step in seizing these opportunities. In years to come, more and more accounting professionals would be required in Singapore.

Accounting, the 'language of business', is an integral part of the management process in any business or public enterprise. It acts as an evaluation and control aid when looking at the effectiveness and efficiency of the operations of an enterprise as well as employee performance. It provides information to assist users in making decisions for a variety of purposes, including the acquisition or sale of shares, lending of money, and provision of goods on credit.

It also serves a stewardship function as it informs owners and investors on how their managers have looked after their assets and investments over the latest financial reporting period. Capital investment decisions also use data produced by the accounting process.

Murdoch's Professional Accounting degree covers a wide range of areas in management accounting, taxation, auditing, company law, corporate finance, contemporary financial accounting and corporate governance and accountability. Graduates are employed in both the public and private sectors in small to large organisations and in accounting firms.

The Professional Accounting degree has professional recognition with Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA Australia). Graduates may proceed with CPA Australia qualification, allowing qualified professionals the license to operate as certified public accountants almost anywhere around the world.

Students are strongly encouraged to pursue a double major in Finance & Professional Accounting. This allows much greater flexibility in terms of career options as there is an increasing demand for such a comprehensive set of financial management and reporting skills.

There's never been a better time to pursue a career in the accounting and finance profession. Get yourself an accounting and finance degree with Murdoch University. For course details and further information, please contact Ms Rain Koh at 6622 6667 or visit www.sma.edu.sg.

This article is contributed by the SMa School of Management (SMa-SOM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation (SMa). SMa has been providing training and certification courses since 1966 and annually trains over 6,500 participants.

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