Accounting today means understanding the global regulatory and financial system, not tallying balance sheets. Get to grips with IFRS, US GAAP and the emerging ESG disclosure frameworks and you become employable by the Big Four — Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC — and by any multinational that reports across borders.
For students from Nepal and the wider region, an international accounting degree is one of the more dependable long-term bets: the skills transfer anywhere, and the certifications that come with them are recognised worldwide.
Benefits of Studying Accounting Abroad
- An IFRS-led curriculum that reflects how international business actually reports
- A genuine foundation in auditing, taxation and financial reporting
- Integrated programmes that let you earn ACCA, CPA or CA credentials alongside the degree
- Post-study work rights in countries with finance talent shortages — the USA, UK, Germany, Canada and Australia among them
- Competitive entry-level salaries, typically US $49,000 to $58,000 a year
Degree Options
Pick the pathway that matches both your academic background and the credential you eventually want to hold.
BCom / BBA in Accounting
- Duration
- 3–4 years
- Ideal For
- School leavers wanting the foundations of accounting and finance
BCom / BBA in Accounting & Finance
- Duration
- 3–4 years
- Ideal For
- Students who want core accounting principles alongside financial systems
MSc in Accounting or Accounting & Finance
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Ideal For
- Graduates seeking academic depth or a research-oriented career
Master of Accounting (MAcc)
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Ideal For
- Anyone targeting CPA or CA credentials, or a career in public accounting
MBA with Accounting Concentration
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Ideal For
- Professionals combining business strategy with accounting expertise
ACCA / CPA / CA Certifications
- Duration
- Typically 1–3 years
- Ideal For
- Students and graduates aiming for a globally recognised professional qualification
Best Countries to Study Accounting
Weigh four things: which certification the country's degrees feed into, how closely programmes are integrated with industry, total cost, and the work rights you get afterwards.
United Kingdom
- What It Focuses On
- Direct integration with ACCA and strong industry tie-ups, with recruitment running through university career services
- Post-Study Work Rights
- Graduate Route: 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026, 18 months from 1 January 2027; PhD graduates keep 3 years
Australia
- What It Focuses On
- Practical accounting skill, and a route to permanent residency for eligible graduates
- Post-Study Work Rights
- Up to 4 years, depending on programme level and location
Canada
- What It Focuses On
- Integrated CPA pathways with wide access to internships and employer partnerships
- Post-Study Work Rights
- Up to 3 years on the Post-Graduation Work Permit
United States
- What It Focuses On
- US GAAP-based teaching, direct CPA preparation, and access to leading business schools and professional networks
- Post-Study Work Rights
- 1 year of OPT, with a possible 2-year STEM extension
New Zealand
- What It Focuses On
- Affordable study with internationally recognised qualifications and practical business training
- Post-Study Work Rights
- Up to 3 years, based on qualification and visa type
Top Universities for Accounting
These institutions lead the 2025 QS Subject Rankings for Accounting and Finance, and each combines career-focused teaching with deep industry connections.
Harvard University Cambridge, USA
- QS 2025 — Accounting & Finance
- #1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, USA
- QS 2025 — Accounting & Finance
- #2
Stanford University Stanford, USA
- QS 2025 — Accounting & Finance
- #3
University of Oxford Oxford, UK
- QS 2025 — Accounting & Finance
- #4
University of Chicago Chicago, USA
- QS 2025 — Accounting & Finance
- #5
University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
- QS 2025 — Accounting & Finance
- #6
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, USA
- QS 2025 — Accounting & Finance
- #7
London School of Economics and Political Science London, UK
- QS 2025 — Accounting & Finance
- #8
University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, USA
- QS 2025 — Accounting & Finance
- #9
Yale University New Haven, USA
- QS 2025 — Accounting & Finance
- #10
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate
- Eligibility
- 10+2 completed in the Commerce or Mathematics stream
- Documents Required
- Class 10 and 12 certificates
- IELTS Academic or TOEFL
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Valid passport
Postgraduate
- Eligibility
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Commerce, Business, Economics or Finance
- Documents Required
- Undergraduate transcripts
- IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Valid passport
Costs to Study Accounting Abroad
United Kingdom
- UG Tuition (annual)
- £11,400 – £38,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- £9,000 – £30,000
- Annual Living Cost
- £1,570 a month over 9 months in London
- £1,203 a month over 9 months outside London
Australia
- UG Tuition (annual)
- AU $53,600
- PG Tuition (annual)
- AU $58,056
- Annual Living Cost
- AU $29,710
Canada
- UG Tuition (annual)
- CA $36,100
- PG Tuition (annual)
- CA $21,100
- Annual Living Cost
- CA $23,448
United States
- UG Tuition (annual)
- US $25,000 – $50,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- US $20,000 – $40,000
- Annual Living Cost
- US $22,000 – $36,000
New Zealand
- UG Tuition (annual)
- NZ $45,841
- PG Tuition (annual)
- NZ $45,505 – $50,105
- Annual Living Cost
- NZ $20,000 per year, about NZ $1,667 a month
Figures are indicative and vary by university, programme structure and city. Living cost estimates follow immigration and education authority guidelines for 2024–2025.
Degree first, or certification first?
ACCA, CPA and CA each suit a different starting point and a different destination. We will map the shortest route to the credential you actually need.
Scholarships
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Global
- Eligibility
- Full-time students at an accredited four-year university with a declared major or minor in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or Criminal Justice, at undergraduate or graduate level
- Coverage
- US $2,000 – $10,000 paid directly to the student for tuition and education costs, plus a year of ACFE student membership
Lester B. Pearson Scholarship University of Toronto, Canada
- Eligibility
- International students in their final year of secondary school, nominated by their school
- Coverage
- Full coverage — tuition, books and residence support
Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship University of Melbourne, Australia
- Eligibility
- International undergraduate applicants with high academic merit
- Coverage
- 25% fee remission for one or more years, varying with merit
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship Scheme University of Sydney, Australia
- Eligibility
- International students holding an unconditional offer — selected automatically, no application needed
- Coverage
- Up to AU $60,000 for high-achieving candidates
Global Excellence Scholarship University of Exeter, UK
- Eligibility
- International students holding an undergraduate or postgraduate offer
- Coverage
- Undergraduate: £3,000 or £5,000 off tuition
- Postgraduate: £3,000, £5,000 or £10,000 off tuition
Careers and Salaries
Accounting graduates move into auditing, taxation, finance and forensics, usually en route to an ACCA, CPA or CA qualification, and from there into consulting, banking and government. Many international programmes now prepare you for those exams directly, which shortens the gap between graduating and qualifying. The UK — London especially — remains the strongest market.
Auditor (entry level)
- Average Salary (UK)
- £42,750 total compensation
- Certification Required?
- Yes — ACCA, ACA/CA or CPA
Tax Consultant
- Average Salary (UK)
- £28,560 – £40,278
- Certification Required?
- Yes — ACCA or CA; CPA optional
Financial Analyst
- Average Salary (UK)
- £37,200 – £43,600
- Certification Required?
- No, though CFA or CPA is an advantage
Forensic Accountant
- Average Salary (UK)
- £36,700 – £58,000
- Certification Required?
- Yes — ACCA, CFF or CFE
Whether the goal is a Big Four firm, a specialism in ESG finance or a CPA licence, studying abroad builds the foundation — and the credential — that the world's most competitive financial markets hire on.
ACCA is a professional qualification that lets you practise; a master's is an academic degree. Many students do both, and several universities run integrated programmes that let you sit ACCA papers during the degree — usually the most efficient route.
The USA for the licence itself, since teaching is built on US GAAP and programmes prepare you for the exam directly. Canada is the strongest alternative, with integrated CPA pathways and better post-study work rights.
In Australia it can — eligible accounting graduates have a PR pathway, and post-study work rights run up to four years. Canada is the other realistic option through the PGWP and Express Entry.
For undergraduate entry, 10+2 in Commerce or Mathematics. For postgraduate entry, a bachelor's in accounting, commerce, business, economics or finance.
