Accounting Schools and Programs in Singapore

Accounting Studies in Singapore

Earning a degree in accounting can open up an abundance of lucrative career opportunities, and now students who are planning to pursue this degree can earn a portion of their educational credits via a study abroad program—a program which allows students to study and live for a time in a foreign country such as Singapore.

Singapore, known officially as the Republic of Singapore, is an independent city-state and island country in Southeast Asia.  The beautiful, modernized country lies off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, approximately 85 miles (137 km) north of the equator. Singapore’s territory consists of the lozenge-shaped main island, commonly referred to as Singapore Island in English and Pulau Ujong in Malay, and more than 60 much smaller islets.  Singapore is separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to the north, and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the Singapore Strait to the south. The country is highly urbanized, with very little of the original vegetation remaining.  This can be attributed to the fact that the country's territory has consistently expanded over the years through land reclamation.

Singapore is one of the world's primary commercial hubs, with the fourth-largest financial center and one of the five busiest ports on the globe. Its globalized and highly diversified economy depends heavily on trade, especially in the sector of manufacturing, which currently represents over a quarter of  Singapore's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  In terms of purchasing power parity, Singapore has the third-highest per capita income in the world but one of the world's highest income inequalities, with a huge gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” The country consistently ranks high in international indexes measuring education, healthcare, and economic competitiveness.

Roughly five million people call Singapore home, of which approximately two million are foreign-born. While Singapore is diverse from a cultural standpoint, ethnic Asians predominate on the island: 75 percent of the population is Chinese, with significant minorities of Malays, Indians, and Eurasians. There are four official languages in Singapore, English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil, and the country promotes multiculturalism through a range of official policies.

Accounting Education in Singapore

Given the importance of Singapore as a world financial center, Accounting is a very popular degree option in the country and is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate degree level at nearly all of the major universities in Singapore.  The undergraduate program in accounting, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in the discipline, typically spans four to five years for full-time students depending on class availability, while the graduate program, leading to the Master of Science Degree in Accounting, generally takes an additional 2-3 years to complete following the baccalaureate.

To qualify for admission into the undergraduate program in Accounting, candidates must possess a secondary school diploma or its equivalent and show proficiency in mathematics.  Some institutions may also require students to sit for and pass an entrance examination prior to being admitted to either the university or the Accounting program.  Master degree candidates in the Accounting discipline must possess a Bachelor degree in Accounting or a related field and maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in all core and elective coursework.

Some of the coursework students can expect to encounter while studying for their degree in Accounting includes titles such as:

• Business Law
• Financial Accounting
• Macroeconomics
• Prin ciples of Finance
• Principles of Management
• Principles of Marketing
• Managerial Accounting
• Spreadsheet and General Ledger Applications
• Cost Accounting
• Federal Income Taxes
• Accounting Information Systems
• Auditing

Students who graduate with a degree in accounting are in high demand in almost every developed country in the world.

Why Study Abroad in Singapore

Studying and living in Singapore for a semester or year can be the adventure of a lifetime.  Not only will students gain a fresh academic perspective and meet like-minded people from around the world, they will also have plenty of opportunities to take in the various sights and attractions that have made Singapore such a favored spot among tourists.  Some of these top sights and attractions include:

Singapore River Cruise

The Singapore River Cruise is a great way to see the city.  The wooden bumboats that cruise the Singapore River used to carry cargo into the city from the ships anchored in the harbor, but today it is the tourists who are transported up the river, taking in the surrounding sights and architectural variety. Singapore River Cruises has nine different jetties along the river, with a choice of two tours taking 40 minutes or 60 minutes, respectively.  A good place to start is at Merlion Park, where you can enjoy views across Marina Bay before heading up the river towards Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay.

Botanic Gardens

The stunning Botanic Gardens of Singapore are just a short walk from the retail frenzy of Orchard Road, and yet provide a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere that is perfect after a long week of studying.  There is a huge variety of areas to explore within the 52 hectare park, including lakes, fountains, sculpture gardens and well-manicured lawns, all linked by well signposted paths. The highlight is undoubtedly the National Orchid Garden, which boasts the largest display of tropical orchids in the world— over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, all cultivated here. Other visitor favorites include the Rainforest –a 6-hectare slice of the original rainforest that once covered the island of Singapore; the Evolution Garden; and the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, which includes a maze, suspension bridge, tree house and secret cave.

National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore should be at the top of any list of Singaporean attractions.  The main focus of the museum is the Singapore History Gallery, a modern, high-tech exhibition walking visitors through the country's history, from the 14th century to the building of modern Singapore. The excellent Audio Companion provided to each visitor supplements the visual displays with interviews, dramatized scenarios and personal accounts. Alongside the History Gallery, the four Singapore Living Galleries celebrate Singaporean society and culture through the years through Food, Fashion, Photography and Film respectively.