Distance learning program Finance, Accounting and Taxation (M.Sc.) – IU International University of Applied Sciences

👉 Study finance, accounting, taxation and IFRS-focused corporate finance with modules in leadership, risk management and data-oriented methods. This fully online Master of Science is a flexible distance-learning model (120 ECTS) with standard duration 24–48 months depending on your time model. Taught in German (programme language: German), it is state-recognised and accredited and allows continuous start and 24/7 online exams.

Finance, Accounting and Taxation (M.Sc.) at a Glance

📜 Degree Master of Science (M.Sc.)
⏳ Duration 4 Semesters, Study effort 20 hours weekly
💶 Fees
from 286 € monthly
from 11976 € total
🏫 University IU International University of Applied Sciences, UAS based in Erfurt (Germany)
IU International University is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Erfurt, Thuringia, and one of the largest distance-learning providers in Germany. Its programmes span business, IT, health and engineering. For international students, the key draw is its range of fully English-taught online degrees – accredited in Germany, open to applicants worldwide, and studied flexibly from home or alongside work.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study EconomicsFinance
🎯 ECTS 120 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German or English
📖 Course contents Leadership, Business Ethics and Corporate Governance, Advanced Research Methods, Applied Statistics, International Financial Accounting, Managerial Economics, Corporate Finance, International Financial Accounting, Performance Management, Risk Management, Digital Transformation in Finance, National and International Taxation, Project: Introduction to IFRS, Seminar: Selected Aspects of Corporate Finance, Elective A, Elective B, Master Thesis
📚 Electives Business Intelligence, Corporate Finance and Investment, Data Science and Analytics, Digital Business and Entrepreneurship, Management Consulting, Project Management, Strategic Financial Management, Supply Chain Management, Tax Strategies for Corporations, Real Estate Management, AI and Mastering AI Prompting
📍 Location online, Bad Reichenhall
✅ ZFU Approval The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Finance, Accounting and Taxation under the number 1113820c.
📅 Enrollment Anytime
🔗 More Info https://www.iu.de/en/

Who this online M.Sc. in Finance, Accounting and Taxation is for — and what you need to qualify

This programme suits you if you want a recognised German master’s degree while studying fully online from abroad. Typical profiles include: early-career accountants or controllers looking to deepen IFRS, corporate finance and taxation; finance or business graduates in full-time roles who need flexible scheduling; auditors or tax professionals outside the EU who want to align with German/EU standards before aiming for roles in Europe.

Admission requirements

To be admitted you need a suitable academic background plus, for the German-taught track, proof of German language skills.

  • Undergraduate degree: a completed bachelor’s (or equivalent) with a business/economics focus comprising at least 180 ECTS, from a state or state-recognised university; minimum overall grade “satisfactory.”
  • If your bachelor’s grade is lower: admission is possible with additional, relevant achievements (e.g., 40 ECTS at master’s level in a matching field, a completed relevant master/MBA, or recognised extra-university qualifications at approx. DQR 7 level).
  • No matching bachelor? You may qualify via a master’s entrance exam by successfully completing two specified modules from the curriculum within 12 months; these modules count towards your degree.
  • Subject prerequisite (German track): prior knowledge in “Steuerlehre” (taxation) must be proven; you can complete this course free of charge before starting.
  • International degrees: foreign bachelor’s and postgraduate diplomas are accepted if comparable; an equivalency check is part of the admission process.
  • Teaching language: German or English (online study). For the German-taught track you must provide one of:
    • TestDaF (TND3) with at least 3 in all parts
    • DSH-1
    • telc Deutsch B2
    • ÖSD B2
    Certificates are typically valid for five years. No German certificate is required for the English-taught track.

Personal requirements

Online study from abroad demands high self-organisation, consistent weekly learning time and comfort with quantitative work. Plan realistically for the programme’s workload: about 40 hours/week (24-month model), 25 hours/week (36 months) or 20 hours/week (48 months). You should be confident with financial statements, basic statistics and academic reading/writing in the chosen teaching language. A stable internet connection, quiet study time across time zones, and the perseverance to prepare for online exams are essential. Expect independent study using digital scripts, videos and exercises, plus applied work in IFRS, corporate finance and taxation. If you have gaps in taxation for the German track, use the preparatory course to get up to speed. Finally, set a weekly routine, break modules into milestones, and seek support early from tutors and study coaches to keep momentum across this long, master-level programme.

What will you study in the Finance, Accounting and Taxation (M.Sc.) at IU International University of Applied Sciences?

This programme is offered in German or English. The German track requires proof of German at B2 level (accepted certificates include TestDaF, DSH1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2). You earn 120 ECTS in a distance-learning format with applied projects and a Master’s thesis.

You build a rigorous finance core: Corporate Finance, Risk Management and Performance Management anchor valuation, capital structure and risk/return analysis for decision-making. Current developments such as the digital transformation of finance are treated explicitly to connect tools with today’s business challenges.

Accounting and governance form the second pillar. You work through national and international financial reporting (HGB/IFRS) and earnings management, and link this with Business Ethics and Corporate Governance for transparent, compliant reporting and responsible control.

Taxation broadens your perspective. You cover national and international taxation to understand group structures, double taxation issues and how tax effects feed into financial planning and corporate strategy.

Methods and leadership complete the toolbox. Advanced Research Methods and Applied Statistics sharpen your analytical work; Leadership prepares you to lead teams and change in finance roles, supported by data literacy and evidence-based management.

Electives let you specialise. Options range from Corporate Finance and Investment, Strategic Financial Management and Tax Strategies for Companies to Business Intelligence, Data Science and Analytics, Management Consulting, Project Management or Supply Chain Management. You can combine two specialisations to shape a focused profile.

Practical integration is designed into the curriculum: an IFRS project and a seminar on current corporate finance topics translate theory into application. The programme ends with the Master’s thesis (30 ECTS). IU is a private Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised) in Germany.

How does studying in the Finance, Accounting and Taxation (M.Sc.) work?

You study fully online in a flexible distance-learning model. Start dates are continuous, assessments are available 24/7 online or at test centres, and you choose a time model of 24, 36 or 48 months. The course carries ZFU approval for distance learning (No. 1113820c).

Teaching language: German or English—your choice

The degree is available in two language tracks. The German track requires proof of German at B2 level, typically via TestDaF (min. 3 in all parts), DSH1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. The English track is taught fully in English. Choose the track that matches your language skills and career plans.

Study model: online distance learning with rolling start

The programme runs 100% online—course materials, live sessions and exams. You can begin any time and select a workload: approximately 40 hours/week (24 months), 25 hours/week (36 months) or 20 hours/week (48 months). A free extension of up to 12 months offers extra buffer alongside work.

Learning format, group sizes and support

You learn on the digital campus with scripts, videos, exercises and access to an AI learning assistant, Syntea, for 24/7 feedback. Teaching combines self-paced materials with interactive online sessions. Study coaching, career coaching and tutoring provide structured personal support.

Assessments and exams

Many exams are taken as remote online exams at times you choose. Alternative test-centre sittings are available. In addition to written exams, you complete assignments, projects (e.g., IFRS), seminar work and the Master’s thesis.

Where you study from

Because this is distance learning, you can study from anywhere. The online model removes relocation and commuting. If you prefer in-person exams, you can use IU’s network of exam centres.

What does the Finance, Accounting and Taxation (M.Sc.) cost?

Tuition is paid in monthly instalments tied to your time model: €499 per month (24 months; about €11,976 in total), €379 per month (36 months; about €13,644 in total) or €299 per month (48 months; about €14,352 in total). The academic content and degree are identical across models—the difference is pacing and total tuition.

Included are digital learning materials, the online campus and online exams (which can reduce travel costs). If you choose an in-person exam, budget for transport/accommodation. Recognition of prior learning can reduce modules and therefore overall tuition.

Payment from abroad typically works via monthly payments; many students use savings, employer support or private study loans. Scholarships may be available through the university’s schemes. As there is no mandatory on-site attendance, no relocation to Germany is required. If you plan to live in Germany while studying, a realistic student budget is roughly €900–€1,200 per month for rent, insurance, food and transport, varying widely by city.

What careers and recognition does the Finance, Accounting and Taxation (M.Sc.) offer?

The degree is state-recognised and internally accredited for the period 2024–2032. As a Bologna-compliant Master’s with 120 ECTS, it follows European standards (workload, learning outcomes, quality assurance). This facilitates international recognition—important for employers and for further study such as doctorates, subject to each institution’s rules.

IU is a private Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences). Degrees from state-recognised providers in Germany are legally equivalent to those from public universities. For regulated professions (e.g., German tax advisor or auditor), separate legal requirements and professional exams apply; this Master’s provides relevant academic preparation but does not replace those steps.

Typical roles in Germany, the EU and worldwide include:

  • Head of Accounting or Group Accounting Manager (consolidation, IFRS/HGB reporting)
  • Corporate Finance Manager or Investment Manager (valuation, M&A, financing)
  • Senior Controller or FP&A Manager (planning, performance management, BI)
  • Treasury Manager (liquidity, funding, financial risk)
  • Tax Manager in industry or advisory (cross-border taxation, structuring)

Salaries vary by country, sector and experience. In Germany, experienced managers in these areas often advance into leadership brackets; early-career roles start lower and progress with responsibility and certifications (e.g., CFA, controlling associations).

Who is the Finance, Accounting and Taxation (M.Sc.) right for – and who not?

This Master’s fits professionals who want to integrate finance, accounting and taxation—and do so flexibly online, alongside work. It suits those aiming for specialist or leadership roles with a strong IFRS, corporate finance and performance-management focus.

  • You want a structured online Master’s with 24/7 online exams and rolling start dates.
  • You value a state-recognised, accredited European degree with 120 ECTS for global mobility.
  • You aim to connect Corporate Finance, IFRS reporting, risk and tax into one managerial toolkit.
  • You prefer to tailor your profile via two electives, e.g., Corporate Finance and Investment, Data Science, Strategic Financial Management or Tax Strategies.

It is not the best match for everyone. Consider alternatives if the following points apply to you:

  • You expect a traditional on-campus experience in Germany with daily in-person classes and labs—this is a distance-learning programme.
  • You are not prepared to study in the available teaching languages: the German track requires B2-level German; the English track is fully in English.
  • You seek the very lowest tuition: private universities typically cost more than German public universities (which often charge only semester fees).
  • You need direct licensure for regulated professions in Germany (e.g., Steuerberater, Wirtschaftsprüfer) immediately after graduation—these require separate statutory exams and practice periods.

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