Accounting is the universal language in the business world. In an international financial and commercial centre like Hong Kong, professionals with competency in this universal language -- accounting -- is highly valued in the job market.

This programme aims to introduce the basic accounting principles, practices, theories and related company laws to students. The knowledge of financial reporting standards, principles and regulations will definitely lay a solid foundation to students who are interested in joining the accountancy profession in Hong Kong. Yet, the basic accounting knowledge is going to be very useful to all other students who are pursuing any profession in the commercial sector, as they can capitalize on the accounting knowledge to get a good overview of the financial and accounting implications of every business activity within an enterprise.

Another distinctive feature of this programme is the comprehensive and broad-based curriculum in all major disciplines of business administration. In the first year of study, you will be equipped with the fundamental knowledge of all major business areas, including Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management and Marketing. This not only enriches your horizon but also provides you with an integrated view of various business functions in the commercial world. In the second year, you will specialize in a study theme for a more in-depth training in that particular area.

Graduates will be exempted from 6 papers in the Professional Examinations of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and 7 papers in Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Students will also be granted partial exemption from the Professional Examinations of The Association of International Accountants (AIA) and Hong Kong Institute of Accredited Accounting Technicians (HKIAAT).

This programme has an excellent track record of assisting our graduates to enter into government-funded undergraduate programmes in various local universities. In the 2008-09 academic year, 189 students were admitted to a wide range of bachelor programmes in local universities after they had finished their first year or second year study in the Associate of Business Administration programme. Selected bachelor programmes to which our students have been admitted include HKU's BBA (Accounting & Finance), Economics & Finance, Information Management, Social Sciences, Statistics, Arts, Language Education, Nursing, and other local universities' BBA, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, and Information Systems programmes.

Graduates are eligible for admission to the full-time top-up degree programmes offered locally by HKU SPACE Centre for International Degree Programmes in collaboration with the following universities:

While China's economy has continued to grow in recent years, Hong Kong has served as a launching pad for Mainland enterprises in their extended journey to integrate with the global capital markets. Throughout this integration process, Mainland enterprises have developed an increasing demand for accounting service in Hong Kong which adhere to international standards. Graduates in this programme will be equipped with a good understanding of basic international accounting standards and practices as well as financial management theories, which give them an unparalleled competitive edge in their careers in the accounting, auditing, and financial industries.