Difference Between Finance and Accounting
Accounting and finance are two of the most important fields in business. Both involve analyzing data, making spreadsheets, and crunching numbers. However, they are also very different. Accounting is a general term that refers to recording financial transactions and reporting those transactions to relevant parties (e.g., auditors or shareholders).
It does not address why the transactions occurred or how they might impact future performance. Finance, on the other hand, focuses on analyzing financial information and making recommendations about whether investments are likely to generate positive returns in the future. In this article, we will explore the differences between accounting and finance as well as give you some examples of jobs that require these skills.
What is accounting?
Accounting is a discipline that records financial transactions and reports those transactions to relevant parties. The information that is recorded in accounting can then be used to make decisions about future spending, investment opportunities, etc. Accounting is often considered to be a financial activity, but it is important to note that it does not address why the transactions occurred or how they might impact future performance.
Let’s look at an example. Imagine that I want to start a company that makes lemonade. To get the company started, I will need to borrow money. Accounting will track how much money I borrow when I borrow it when I pay it back, and how much interest I have to pay on it.
What is finance?
Finance is the study of how people and organizations raise money and use it to meet their financial goals. Finance addresses questions like what an investment is worth, what the risk is, and if the expected returns are likely to be positive. Finance is often associated with risk and accounting is often associated with certainty. Finance is an interdisciplinary field that draws on concepts and tools from economics, mathematics, and psychology.
Let’s also look at an example. Imagine that I want to start a company that makes lemonade. To get the company started, I need to find investors who are willing to give me money and then agree to let me pay them back with interest over a certain period. Finance would help me to determine how much I should ask for, what the expected returns are for the investors, and what the risk is that I might not be able to pay them back.
Differences between accounting and finance
As we saw above, accounting is a general term that refers to recording financial transactions and reporting those transactions to relevant parties. Finance, on the other hand, is the study of how people and organizations raise money and use it to meet their financial goals. Accounting does not address why the transactions occurred or how they might impact future performance.
Finance, on the other hand, focuses on analyzing financial information and making recommendations about whether investments are likely to generate positive returns in the future. Accounting job titles: Financial Controller, Financial Analyst, Chartered Accountant, Financial Auditor. Finance job titles: Investment Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Risk Manager, Equity Research Analyst.
Accounting job roles
Accounting job roles are predominantly focused on the recording of financial data from a business. This data is then used to provide information to all stakeholders, including the owners, to assist in decision-making. The main accounting job roles and their brief description are listed below:
– Accountant –
An accountant is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and summarizing financial information for businesses and other organizations.
– Auditor –
An auditor analyzes and reviews financial records, management practices, and risk management systems.
– Bookkeeper –
A bookkeeper records financial information and keeps track of business transactions.
– Financial Controller –
A Financial Controller is responsible for managing the financial aspects of a business including financial reporting, budgeting, and financial planning.
– Financial Manager –
A Financial Manager is involved in the planning, coordinating, and controlling of financial activities.
– Financial Planner –
A Financial Planner provides financial planning advice to individuals and businesses.
– Financial Research Analyst –
A Financial Research Analyst studies financial information and trends to provide investment advice.
– Financial Reporting Analyst –
A Financial Reporting Analyst prepares financial reports for businesses and organizations.
– A Wealth Manager –
A Wealth Manager advises clients, including individuals and groups, on managing their money.
Finance job roles
A wide range of job roles can be grouped under the term Finance. Finance is the study of how people and organizations raise money and use it to meet their financial goals. Finance addresses questions like what an investment is worth, what the risk is, and if the expected returns are likely to be positive.
Finance is often associated with risk and accounting is often associated with certainty. The main finance job roles and their brief description are listed below:
– Investment Analyst – An Investment Analyst researches and analyzes investments such as stocks, bonds, and commodities.
– Portfolio Manager – A Portfolio Manager manages a group of investments so as to meet a specified goal, such as generating a profit or minimizing risk.
– Risk Manager – A Risk Manager identifies, quantifies, and manages risk associated with an investment or a business venture.
– Equity Research Analyst – An Equity Research Analyst researches and analyzes stocks to provide investment advice.
Key Takeaway
Accounting is a discipline that records financial transactions and reports those transactions to relevant parties. Finance is the study of how people and organizations raise money and use it to meet their financial goals. While accounting does not address why the transactions occurred or how they might impact future performance, finance focuses on analyzing financial information and making recommendations about whether investments are likely to generate positive returns in the future.
Accounting job roles are predominantly focused on the recording of financial data from a business. Finance job roles are varied and include investment analysis, portfolio management, risk management, and equity research.