Mannheim Master's in Finance, Accounting and Taxation

Program overview The Master’s programme brings together three areas that are often taught separately—corporate finance, accounting and taxation—so you learn each subject in depth and, crucially, how they interact to shape strategic business decisions. Courses examine the links between financial choices, reporting practices and tax considerations, giving you a holistic view of corporate finance.

A strong emphasis on data analysis and empirical methods underpins the curriculum, reflecting the tools used to address contemporary finance and tax challenges. Graduates emerge as specialists capable of evaluating issues from multiple perspectives and advising companies on sustainable, evidence-based decisions.

Admission essentials

• Degree awarded: Master of Science
• Language of instruction: English
• Subject area: Business Administration
• Academic focus: corporate finance, accounting, taxation; methodological emphasis on data analysis and empirical methods
• Entry requirements: Applicants must meet the university’s admission criteria—consult the official programme webpage for up-to-date details on eligibility, required documents and application deadlines.

This programme is organised around five interconnected areas designed to build both technical expertise and strategic insight for careers in finance. You will gain a solid grounding in data-driven decision making through a dedicated Business Analytics and Economics block, while a substantial CFO Core Competencies segment focuses on the accounting, finance and taxation knowledge expected of senior finance professionals. Together these components aim to equip you with the quantitative methods and economic intuition needed to analyse business problems and support executive decision‑making.

You can then tailor the degree to your interests: a broad catalogue of in‑depth Finance, Accounting and Taxation courses lets you specialise in topics most relevant to your career goals. The curriculum also encourages intellectual breadth by allowing up to two complementary electives from other areas of business administration or economics. Your studies conclude with a research-oriented seminar and a 30 ECTS Master’s thesis written under the supervision of one of the participating chairs, giving you experience in independent academic or applied research.

Key learning outcomes include the ability to:

• Apply data analysis and economic reasoning to business problems.
• Master core accounting, finance and tax techniques required in corporate finance and advisory roles.
• Develop specialised knowledge in advanced finance, accounting or taxation topics based on your chosen electives.
• Conduct independent research, synthesize evidence, and present policy- or practice-oriented recommendations suitable for roles such as finance manager, controller or CFO.

Curriculum requirements (credit and course structure)

• Business Analytics and Economics: 24 ECTS — delivered as four courses covering data analysis and business economics fundamentals.
• CFO Core Competencies: 25–35 ECTS — core coursework in finance, accounting and taxation.
• Finance, Accounting and Taxation specialisation: at least 19 ECTS — selection of in‑depth electives to customise your profile.
• Complementary Elective: up to two courses — optional supplements from other business administration or economics fields.
• Theses: 30 ECTS — includes a research‑oriented seminar plus the Master’s thesis supervised by a participating chair.

Graduates are prepared for specialist and leadership roles where finance, accounting and taxation intersect—such as corporate finance teams, tax advisory, financial reporting, risk management and consulting. The quantitative and empirical training also enables graduates to take on analytically demanding positions in banks, consulting firms, corporate finance departments, and regulatory or research institutions.

The programme’s mix of technical skills and strategic perspective is particularly relevant for roles that require advising companies on tax-efficient and sustainable financial decisions or for those aiming to become future CFOs or senior finance professionals.