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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Business Administration Management Accounting and Control
Header image Management Accounting and Control

Management Accounting and Control

Study management accounting and control in Groningen and become a finance and business expert who can help organizations formulate and implement their vision and strategy.

In rapidly evolving business landscapes, organizations must formulate strategies and goals that enable them to thrive. While defining strategies is crucial, the true measure of success typically lies in the effective execution of these strategies. Managers need to make informed decisions and allocate resources to support the overarching strategy. However, in a world filled with countless options, how do managers make the right choices?

In the Management Accounting and Control (MAC) program, you will acquire the skills necessary to assess strategic options and make decisions that seamlessly align with an organization's strategy. You will get familiar with management accounting and financial management techniques and combine this knowledge with insights from strategy, human behavior, and change management. This synthesis will empower you to acquire critical information for making successful strategic decisions. You will apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios, such as market expansion or M&A decisions, and develop the skills to effectively communicate strategic advice to managers. You will also have the opportunity to gain insights into using data analytics to support decision-making.

The programme offers a wide array of career prospects. Our graduates often kickstart their careers as controllers or business partners in the finance department of an organization or as consultants in strategic or financial consulting firms. Others start their career in the strategy, business development, HR, or sales departments. Ultimately, the programme paves the way to ascend to pivotal roles, including general managers or financial managers within organizations.

Are you more interested in auditing or financial controlling? Or do you want to know what is the difference between Management Accounting and Control, and Accountancy and Controlling? Find out more about our MSc Accountancy and Controlling .

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Business Administration
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60644
Language of instruction
English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Economics and Business
UN SDG

Focus areas in Future Prosperity and Sustainability, Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, or Energy Transition and Climate Change

The programme offers many opportunities to specialize in a certain field by taking a Focus area in Future Prosperity and Sustainability, Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, or Energy Transition and Climate Change. Dive deeper into these highly relevant topics in our society and your future career.

Read more
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • The programme in Groningen stands out because of its unique combination of business and strategy with finance and accounting. In fact, this is one of the few master's programmes that place financial issues in a broader business context.
  • You become a business and finance expert who can support managers with valuable advice on the strategic direction of an organization. This helps you to kickstart your career as a consultant or in the finance or strategy department of an organization and paves the way to ascend to a role with management responsibility.
  • Pursue your personal ambitions and interests by selecting a combination of electives that is perfect for you. For example, you can focus on digital business, financial management and reporting, sustainability, human resources management, marketing, or healthcare.
  • Be part of a medium-sized programme (about 50 each year) that has received outstanding evaluations from previous cohorts, in part due to the excellent combination of academic theory and business practice.
  • The programme has been internationally accredited by the AACSB and EQUIS, ensuring a high-quality education, which only 1% of universities reach worldwide.
Programme

This programme offers you the chance to learn more about management accounting and financial management. You will learn how to use insights from these fields for providing (non-financial) input that will improve organizational decision-making and planning and controlling activities. You will come to understand the techniques and systems you use to produce this information in the context of general management and related issues, such as strategy, human behaviour, ethics, data-driven processes, innovation, and culture.

For each semester, you can choose from a wide variety of elective courses, depending on what area you would like to specialize in. You can learn about business ethics, digital business and AI, sustainability management but you can also delve deep into financial management and reporting, healthcare, leadership and governance, or data-driven processes. Check below the course catalogue for the full list of courses.

You finish your degree by writing a thesis paper. Your master's thesis is based on, for example, interviews, a case study, a survey, or an experiment. Many students combine their data collection with an internship.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Management Accounting Change (5 EC)
Management Accounting Techniques (5 EC)
Elective(s) MSc BA MAC (15 EC)

A few examples are: Digital Transformation Strategy; Healthcare Purchasing and Supply Chains; Sustainability: Strategies, Innovation & Change; Energy Transition & Innovation; HRM & International Labour Law. The full list of electives can be found on Ocasys.

Research & Skills for MSc BA (5 EC)
Financial Management for MAC (5 EC)
Research in Management Control (5 EC)
Master's Thesis MAC (20 EC)
Programme options
Double Degree Master International Business and Finance (Shanghai) (specialization)

Are you interested in an international career in or involving China?

Study in Shanghai after your FEB Master's programme in Groningen and gain first-hand knowledge and experience of China and the economy, finance and culture.

More information about this option

Future Prosperity and Sustainability Focus Area (specialization)

Focus on the sustainable developments in our current society by the increasing influence of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. The upcoming impact of the SDGs force companies to redefine their purpose and seek a path for meaningful contribution. But, what are companies responsible for, and who bears the burden of the consequences? Your skills and knowledge will prepare you to actively contribute to the strategic developments in this dynamic field.

More information about this option

Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence Focus Area (specialization)

Focus on the digital transformation within our society and understand how to successfully implement digital transformation in business. A successful digital transition allows businesses to conquer markets, witness industries converging, and step into the realm of winner-takes-all dynamics, like dominating tech-giants like Google and Facebook.

More information about this option

Energy Transition and Climate Change Focus Area (specialization)

Focus on the serious changes within the energy sector by dealing with issues such as how firms adapt to renewable energy, how the higher taxes are managed during this transition and how to deal with the weather dependent production of energy systems. Gain the knowledge and skills to shape a sustainable future in this evolving energy sector.

More information about this option

Master Internship (specialization)

Opportunity to gain work experience by doing an internship in the second semester of your study.

You will be rewarded 15 ECTS on top of your programme. Your thesis will be postponed to the third semester.

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional

A study exchange semester is not included in the one-year programme. If you wish to spend a semester abroad, you will need to extend the study period by a semester. Please discuss this with the programme coordinator as study exchanges are not facilitated by the MSc BA - MAC programme.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Universities of applied sciences

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC

More information:

The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) has introduced the 30 EC and 45 EC Pre-Master's programmes. Depending on the HBO degree you will obtain, you will be able to follow the 30 EC or 45 EC variant. Read more: https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Business AdministrationUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
International BusinessUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Industrial Engineering and ManagementUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
SociologyUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

In addition to your BSc programme, you will need to complete a set of (extra) courses. For information, please contact the study advisors: https://www.rug.nl/feb/studyadvisors.

Psychology (NL)University of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

In addition to your BSc programme, you will need to complete a set of (extra) courses. For information, please contact the study advisors: https://www.rug.nl/feb/studyadvisors.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Econometrics and Operations ResearchErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
International Business AdministrationErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Public Administration ScienceLeiden University

No additional requirements

More information:

For profile Economics, Public Administration and Management.

Computer ScienceLeiden University

No additional requirements

More information:

For profile Informatica & Economie.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Business AnalyticsMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Business EngineeringMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Global StudiesMaastricht University

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC

More information:

You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.

International BusinessMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
AccountancyNyenrode New Business SchoolNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationNyenrode New Business SchoolNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Business AdministrationRadboud University NijmegenNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsRadboud University NijmegenNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
International Business AdministrationTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
EconomicsTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Entrepreneurship and Business InnovationTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Actuarial ScienceUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Business AnalyticsUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Data ScienceUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
International Business AdministrationUniversity of TwenteNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Economics and Business EconomicsUtrecht UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Management and Consumer StudiesWageningen UniversityNo additional requirements
Economics and GovernanceWageningen UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Business AnalyticsVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
International Business AdministrationVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

To be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master's degree from a research university in one of the following - or closely related - fields: Business Administration, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business, Technology Management, Management Control.

To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies. For more information, please visit: https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc.

other admission requirements

The information about entry requirements is an indication of your admissibility. Every application will be reviewed individually by the Admissions board so the admission decision may differ from the indication in this table.

Registration procedure

Students with a Dutch diploma can apply directly to Studielink. More information on the  steps to apply .

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

To be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master's degree from a research university in one of the following - or closely related - fields: Business Economics, Business Administration, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business, Technology Management, Management Control.

To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies. For more information, please visit: https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc. If you have any questions concerning admission to this programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/admissions.

certified competences

A GMAT/GRE test is required from all candidates who obtained their bachelor's degree from a university in a non-EU/EEA country. For specific scores and exemptions, please see https://www.rug.nl/feb/gmat-gre.

language test

IELTS Academic overall score 6.5 (Speaking 6, Writing 6.5); TOEFL internet-based overall score 90 (Speaking 20, Writing 24); Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (overall score 176, Speaking 169, Writing 176).

other admission requirements

Not meeting the pre-education requirements for direct entry? Please read more about our pre-Master programmes.

Registration procedure

Students have to apply via Studielink and the Progress Portal (replacing the previous system, Online Application System OAS) of the University of Groningen. After you apply for the programme of your choice, the Admissions Office will evaluate your educational background and assess your eligibility. Your application will be assessed on an individual basis. More information on how to apply.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

As a graduate, you are qualified for various types of jobs, ranging from financial and general management positions to positions as a consultant or business advisor. Employers will be interested in you, because of your strategic, analytical, and communicative skills, as well as your ability to combine an understanding of management accounting and control issues with knowledge of contemporary business.

Alumni from our programme work for national as well as international companies in the corporate and non-profit sectors, as well as for government institutions.

Job examples:

  • Assistant manager/management trainee, project manager, eventually leading to general manager
  • Management accountant or (business) controller, eventually leading to financial manager
  • Junior consultant in the field of financial management, risk management, performance management, or change management, eventually leading to senior consultant
Research

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our research-driven education is strongly rooted in business practice and society. At the heart of our teaching approach is (interdisciplinary) research and in collaboration with external partners, students, and professors conduct projects on societally relevant topics such as healthy society and the economics of healthcare systems, digitalization and how AI is shaping business and societies, leadership and governance, future prosperity and sustainability, climate change and how to tackle the shift to renewable energy. This means that you will learn, not only how to apply particular performance measurement and decision-making techniques, but also how these techniques impact the behaviour of people in organizations. This focus on human behaviour in real-life organizational contexts also implies that your training will be based on the latest developments in the field of management control.

Moreover, by conducting both practically-oriented and research assignments, you will develop an analytical and critical mind as well as problem-solving capabilities, which are important qualities in any future career.

Your teachers will be researchers active in the field of management control. In collaboration with external partners, they conduct research projects on, for instance, risk management, leadership, health care, digital transformation, and lean operations. Some examples are:

  • Martijn van der Steen investigates management control in the context of fighting missions of the Royal Dutch Air Force
  • Sakshi Girdhar examines controls and practices in big auditing firms
  • Jacob Reilley investigates the role of performance metrics in NGOs
  • Sebastian Firk studies the challenges of the digital transformation of the finance function in a large multinational corporation
  • Paula van Veen and Sandra Tillema study the impact of personality traits on the role of controllers in a banking organization

Opportunity to focus on different electives (Harma de Boer)

What I liked about the programme is that it provides the opportunity to focus on different areas, such as health and energy, so that students can prepare themselves for their future careers. I chose to have a broad focus when choosing my electives, in order for me to gain knowledge in a more broad field. The faculty provides opportunities to help you set your goal, sets realistic expectations, and prepares you for what will be expected from you as well as from the firm.

I have opted for a Master Internship. At Jacobs Douwe Egberts, I got to see multiple departments in Finance, which helped me discover what I like most. I really enjoyed my internship. It gave me the possibility to develop my analytical decision-making and communication skills. Furthermore, I got to know the firm from the inside and I discovered my own qualities and capabilities. My greatest advice to students who are planning on doing an internship is to ask for feedback as this is the best way to learn the most during your time in a company.

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Strong emphasis on the practical side of management (Sebastiaan Gessel)

The programme Management and Accounting is focused on making management decisions regarding the organization’s strategy. It combines applying knowledge about financial management techniques and control systems. The Master surprised me with a strong emphasis on the practical side of management. That motivated me to gain more practical knowledge and therefore I joined the financial study association RISK. My tasks include acquiring general sponsors and attracting companies for the activities organized by the association. This has helped me to get a good look behind the scenes and how certain firms operate within their industry. I highly recommend other students to consider joining extracurricular activities or committees, as it helps to develop crucial skills that can not be taught.

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Study associations

Financial Study Association Groningen

Financial Study Association Groningen, FSG, is the study association for the financially interested student at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen.
FSG is, with over 1800 members, one of the most active and professional study associations of the Netherlands. The goal of FSG is to close the gap between theory and practice that exists in the areas of:* Accountancy & Controlling (A&C)* Finance* International Financial Management (IFM)* Management Accounting & Control (MAC)
https://fsgroningen.nl/home
Read more
Study support

Studying means working independently and planning your studies yourself. But successful studying depends on many different factors, so it is understandable that you may need to consult an impartial expert to discuss your study progress and personal circumstances that influence your studies. The faculty's study advisors are available to help you. Obviously, everything discussed with the study advisor remains confidential.