<p>I know most of you guys are probably sick of having the read the same "what is the difference between accounting and finance" question over and over again but this is not my question. My question is how much of a difference in math is there between accounting and finance? I know accounting is primarily about calculating "stuff" but is there more mathematics involved in finance or less?</p>
<p>It depends a bit on how far you pursue your education and what kind of job you pursue. In terms of what you need to know (in general) for a job requiring only an undergraduate degree:</p>
<p>Accounting is usually limited to a semester or two of statistics and a class on modeling (either calculus based or computer based).</p>
<p>Finance should require a at least semester of calculus, statistics and (if not taught as part of another course) modeling.</p>
<p>For an entry-level job in public accounting, you only really need to understand a bit of statistics. As I've said before, accounting is a closer relative to law than it is finance--unless you're getting into managerial applications, standard setting or research, there isn't a great deal of calculus. You need to be comfortable with reading numbers and understanding various legal and regulatory requirements; however, for an entry-level job, you're not doing very complex computations.</p>
<p>If you were to stay in accounting and moved into a consulting, managerial or teaching (research) capacity, then that will be very different--you'll be doing work that involves a combination of accounting, finance and economics and will need a strong understanding of calculus.</p>
<p>Entry-level finance jobs can run the gammit. In general, though, you'll either be selling or analyzing (or both). If you're job involves the latter, you really should be comfortable with calculus and regression analysis.</p>
<p>In short, finance usually requires more complex math.</p>
<p>almost all BBAs require that you have at least 1 year of calculus though. So finance may involve one more upper division math class or cross listed finance/math class. Its doubtful that a Finance major would need more than 2 math courses that an accounting major would need.</p>
<p>"So finance may involve one more upper division math class or cross listed finance/math class. Its doubtful that a Finance major would need more than 2 math courses that an accounting major would need."</p>
<p>My comments were for job requirements, not degree requirements. Accounting majors/concentrators should, of course, have taken one or two semesters of calculus; however, you won't really need to know derivatives and integrals for an entry-level job. I agree--in terms of math requirements, accounting and finance majors/concentrators will probably take similar, if not the same exact, courses.</p>
<p>In terms of the specific concentration courses, however (which I believe is what the OP was asking about), accounting involves more regulation than math. You don't really need a lot more than algebra and statistics for the core classes. Finance, however, can involve quite a bit of statistics and calculus.</p>
<p>From what I've seen, ryanbis is very correct, Accounting has a lot more to do with knowing and applying business guideliness (i.e. legal regulation), and finance and economics are more about applying mathematical theory/equations to decision making. Strictly from an actual "real world" application.</p>