Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Management Accounting (BSBA - MA) is a four year degree program that combines accounting, finance and management. The BSBA in Management Accounting program teaches students all the operations, accounting and financial functions, marketing management, business structures and leadership development within an organization. 

Subjects and Curriculum
The subjects in the BSBA in Management Accounting curriculum are divided into four main categories:

• General Education core:
  Language and Humanities Cluster, Mathematics, Computer and Natural Science Cluster, Social Sciences Cluster, Mandated Subjects
• Basic Business Core:
  Fundamentals of Accounting, Business Computer Application, Business Communication (with Technical Writing), Business Finance, Principles of Marketing, Principles of Management and Organization, Fundamentals of Human Behavior in an Organization, Business Statistics
• Business Education Core:
  Introduction to Microeconomics, Introduction to Macroeconomics (With Agrarian Reform and Taxation), Obligations and Contracts, Mathematics of Investment, Introduction to Taxation and Income Tax Laws, Advanced Accounting, Behavioral Science Applied to Business and Industry, Law on Negotiable Instruments
• Management Accounting Professional Subjects:
  Managerial Accounting, Principles of Money, Credit and Banking, Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Quantitative Techniques in Business, Law on Business Organizations, Business Policy and Strategy, International Finance, Management Advisory Services

The BSBA in Management Accounting program is mainly taught to students through classroom lectures. Students may also be exposed to educational talks and seminars.

As a requirement for graduation, a student must complete an On the Job Training (OJT) and accomplish a business plan or feasibility study. 

Comparing BSBA in Management Accounting, BS in Accountancy and BS in Accounting Technology
BSBA in Management Accounting, BS Accountancy and BS in Accounting Technology are all business education courses that concentrate on accounting, however, these three programs have major differences.

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) is the most difficult of the three. In terms of duration, it is the only business program with a 5 year curriculum. BSBA in Management Accounting (BSBA-MA) and BS in Accounting Technology (BSAT) both have a 4 year curriculum.

As for the admission requirements, the BSA program requires a specific rating in a separate aptitude test for BS in Accountancy, a QPA of 85% or above and a specific National Secondary Assessment Test (NSAT) to mention a few. On the other hand, BSBA in Management Accounting and BS in Accounting Technology have only basic admission requirements. 

All three programs require an on the job training (OJT). However, students of the BS in Accountancy program have to undergo two sets of OJT namely Practicum 1 and Practicum 2, while BSBA in Management Accounting and BS in Accounting Technology only require one OJT.

Among these programs, only BS in Accountancy has a board examination. 

Is Management Accounting a profession?
Management Accounting is not a profession. A graduate of this program will likely be employed in finance departments of corporations, banks, financial institutions, as an accounting clerk, office clerk or in the BPO industry. These careers are not considered professions. Bookkeeping is a possible job that is considered a profession, although a government certificate is not required in the Philippines to work as a bookkeeper.

What are the admission requirements for the BSBA in Management Accounting program?
Requirements at each school may differ, but these are the common requirements:

• Must be a high school graduate.
  Those who did not complete high school education may opt to first attend Alternative Learning System (ALS) and pass the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) to qualify for college. However, some universities only offer selected courses for PEPT passers
• College entrance exam: must pass the college entrance examination with a specified rating set by the school.
• Grade requirement in Math and English: some schools require a high grade of 80% and above in Math and English.
• Interview: must pass the interview conducted by the college dean/faculty.

What skills, traits and attitude will help you succeed in this course?

• Inclination to Mathematics – almost every subject in the program requires the use of certain mathematical concepts and operations thus it’s very important to have strong foundation in mathematics
• Problem-solving skills – the ability to identify, assess, create alternative solutions and solve the actual problem while continuously evaluating for outcomes.
• Analytical skills – the ability to solve both complex and uncomplicated problems and concepts and make decisions that are sensible and based on available information.
• Computer Literacy – knowledge of computer use and being able to understand application programs.
• Communication skills – has excellent written and oral communication skills; a strong command of the English language is important because your work will involve dealing with different kinds of people.

How difficult is BSBA in Management Accounting?
BSBA in Management Accounting is fairly difficult. There are basic education subjects that can be learned easily while there are also subjects that are complex and difficult to understand. The workload for this course is fairly light; even if you need to complete an on the job trainings (OJT), the number of hours required is minimal compared to some other courses. The biggest challenge for this course is the final requirement for graduation wherein you need to accomplish a business plan/feasibility study. Unlike other undergraduate papers where you only have to choose a topic of interest, a feasibility study involves a more complex process. You need to find a proponent who has plans of creating a business and convince him/her to accept your services in studying whether the business is feasible or not. 

How long does it take to complete the BSBA in Management Accounting program in the Philippines?
The BSBA in Management Accounting program takes four years to complete. The program may be completed in less than 4 years in schools that follow the trimestral curriculum.

On the Job Training (OJT)
Under the general umbrella of Business Administration, students in the BSBA-MA program are required to one on the job training (OJT), also called a Practicum. A student must choose a corporation whether in the manufacturing, marketing and service sectors. These OJT program is done under the supervision of a designated authority in the establishment/office which will evaluate the student periodically and submit the evaluation form to the assigned faculty member. The number of hours required for the OJT varies from one school to another.

Civil Service Examination (CSE)
There is no board examination for BSBA in Operations Management. However, to be qualified to work in government offices, BSBA-OM graduates have to pass the Civil Service Examination (CSE) which is conducted by the Philippine Civil Service Commission (PCSC). 

Career opportunities for BSBA-MA graduates

• Entry Level jobsJobs requiring no prior to minimal level of experience:
  • Office Assistant – supports operations by maintaining budgets, facilities, records, equipment, and building services; completes special projects.
  • Clerical Assistant – under direct supervision, performs a variety of clerical tasks in support of business operations within a department or division; and performs related duties as assigned.
  • Management Accounting Staff – part of a team that aids in managerial planning and commercial decision-making tasks by providing appropriate financial information and undertaking related accounts administration.
  • Tax Accounting Staff – responsible for income tax preparation for individuals and companies. Identifies potential tax credits and liabilities and ensures accurate and complete returns are filed in a timely manner.
  • Bank Clerk
  • Management Trainee – responsible for working alongside managers and accepting delegated responsibilities and duties with the goal of eventually becoming a manager
  • Stock Personnel/Controller – responsible for the flow of merchandise from the point of delivery to the sales floor or internal destination
  • Credit investigators – investigates history and credit standing of individuals or business establishments applying for credit. May interview applicants to obtain personal and financial data; determine credit worthiness; process applications; and notify customers of acceptance or rejection of credit.
• Mid-Level Positions
  
• Require trainings and prior job experience of a few years:
  • Financial Analyst – analyze financial information to produce forecasts of business, industry, and economic conditions for use in making investment decisions.
  • Budget Analyst – responsible for consolidating data for the presentation of budgets and providing an overview of the financial status of operations. Maintains accounting records and identifies trends that may help or hurt a company.
  • Credit Analyst – analyze current credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with this credit information for use in decision-making.
  • Stock brokers – buy and sell securities (eg stocks and shares) on a commission basis on behalf of private and commercial clients.
  • Executive Assistant – prepares correspondences, reports, presentations, and manages the executive's schedule.
  • Treasurers and Finance Officers – responsible for maintaining financial, accounting, administrative and personnel services in order to meet legislative requirements and support municipal operations
  • Financial advisers – provide clients with advice on financial matters, making recommendations on ways to best utilize their money. The role involves researching the marketplace and advising clients on products and services available, ensuring they are aware of and understand those that best meet their needs, and then securing a sale.
  • Bank managers – responsible for the day-to-day duties of managing a banking branch. Oversees the sales, operations, and business development within the branch, including profits and productivity.
  • Project Manager – responsible for the planning, management, co-ordination and financial control of a construction project
  • Foreign exchange dealers – engages in financial market transactions and evaluates investment opportunities in currencies.
• Advanced Positions
  
• Require years of extensive experience and practice:
  • Senior Manager – holds responsibility for strategic and operational planning and management of all aspects, including staff, contracts and budgets, for a number of programs, projects and/or departments.
  • Operations Manager – manage and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Support Services (HR, IT and Finance), through improvements to each function as well as coordination and communication between support and business functions.
  • Financial manager – responsible for providing financial advice and support to clients and colleagues to enable them to make sound business decisions
  • Risk and Insurance Manager – advice organizations on any potential risks to the profitability or existence of the company. They identify and assess threats, put plans in place for if things go wrong and decide how to avoid, reduce or transfer risks.
  • Finance Director – responsible for financial planning, financial record-keeping, financial reporting, and the management of financial risks.
  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – highest ranking executive in a company whose main responsibilities include developing and implementing high-level strategies, making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of a company, and acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors and the corporate operations.
• Entrepreneurial and Self-Employment Opportunities
  • Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Business Consultant
• Jobs not related to Management Accounting that graduates can apply to
  • Call center agent – answers phone calls and inquiries of clients and provides customer support, usually to people from other countries
  • Administrative Staff – personnel responsible for the organization and management of office duties and tasks; positions that include office secretary, personal assistant and office clerk
  • Freelancer working online – doing online jobs for clients abroad, such as data entry, article writing, SEO, customer support, administrative support etc., which mainly depends on your skills
• Salary Levels
  
• A degree in Management Accounting can lead to a variety of jobs, and salaries will vary greatly depending on the role and industry you work in, as well as your experience and talent. 
  Here are a few relevant jobs and their expected salary:
  • Office Assistant
    • Fresh Grad / < 1 Year Experienced Employee: P 8,000 to P 11,000
    • 1-4 Years Experienced Employee: P 10,000 to P 14,000
    • Supervisor / 5 Years & Up Experienced Employee: P 15,000 to P 20,000
  • Bookkeeper
    • Fresh Grad / < 1 Year Experienced Employee: P 8,000 to P 12,000
    • 1-4 Years Experienced Employee: P 8,500 to P 15,000
    • Supervisor / 5 Years & Up Experienced Employee: P 13,000 to P 20,000
  • Accounting clerk
    • Fresh Grad / < 1 Year Experienced Employee: P 8,000 to P 11,500
    • 1-4 Years Experienced Employee: P 8,500 to P 12,900
    • Supervisor / 5 Years & Up Experienced Employee: P 12,000 to P 19,000
  • Financial Analyst
    • 1-4 Years Experienced Employee: P 14,000 to P 19,000
    • Supervisor / 5 Years & Up Experienced Employee: P 20,000 to P 28,000 
  • Assistant Manager
    • P 22,250 to P 40,000 

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