Ioannis Niforopoulos
Nationality: Greek
MSc Course: MSc International Accounting and Finance
Graduation year: 2026
Published in 2026
Sharpening skills for corporate success
When Ioannis Niforopoulos from Greece was considering his options for a master’s degree he had some clear criteria in mind.
“I wanted somewhere with close links to the financial industry, and a location in the heart of London."
" I also wanted to study at a school that combined academic theory with practical exposure and offered excellent career opportunities in one of the world's leading financial centres. I chose Bayes Business School because of its strong reputation in finance and business education, and I had heard excellent feedback from Bayes’ alumni.”
“I had prior experience working in audit, where I worked with clients across different industries and developed a solid understanding of financial reporting and assurance. But I wanted to expand my knowledge beyond accounting and develop a deeper understanding of corporate finance, investments, and financial markets. I was looking for a programme that combined technical expertise with real-world application and would prepare me for an international career in finance.”
Ioannis joined Bayes’ MSc International Accounting and Finance, a programme designed for students with an analytical mindset who want to understand how to make the financial decisions that shape corporate success. It blends academic rigour and practical application, to give graduates the technical skills and strategic decision-making abilities that employers value.
Graduates go on to enjoy dynamic global careers, equipped with the expertise to succeed in accountancy, financial analysis, consultancy, investment banking, and corporate finance across diverse sectors. Many graduates start as auditors, analysts or consultants, before progressing into senior roles in multinational corporations and global financial institutions.
Blending theory and practice
“I would say that the best part of the course was the balance between academic theory and practical application. The modules I found most valuable specifically were Financial Reporting, Financial Statement Analysis, and Contemporary Issues in Corporate Finance and Investment Valuation, as they strengthened both my technical knowledge and analytical thinking.”
Alongside core modules which give a grounding in the essential fundamentals, students can choose elective modules tailored to their career goals. Electives cover a wide range of topics including Corporate Restructuring, Digital Finance, Hedge Funds, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies and Decentralized Finance.
Students can also choose from a range of international electives, in countries which have recently included Spain, Italy and Portugal.
Ioannis chose the Project Finance and Infrastructure Investment elective in Madrid, Spain.
“This was a real highlight of my Bayes’ experience – it offered a unique international learning environment and the opportunity to work on real-life financing cases with students from different backgrounds. We were put into teams to work on a case scenario and had only two days to complete the presentation. It was challenging but rewarding because we had to figure out quickly the strengths of each team member, and how to combine them to produce a good result. It was a really interesting experience as it brought together people from different backgrounds with different ideas.”
“Also, Madrid is a great place to spend time because there are so many different things to do, depending on your interests.”
The Bayes London advantage
Location was a big factor in Ioannis’ decision to study at Bayes and the location offered invaluable connections to senior industry leaders.
“Studying in London was an incredible experience. Being in one of the world's leading financial centres meant there were constant opportunities to attend networking events, company presentations, and industry conferences. Living in such an international city also allowed me to meet people from different cultures and build lifelong friendships. I was living in Stratford, in the East Village, which is the Athlete’s Village built for the 2012 Olympic Games.”
“My experience at Bayes helped me build a strong professional network – through my classmates, alumni, professors, guest speakers and via careers events. I still value that network, and the relationships have been beneficial both professionally and personally.”
“It’s good to know people in the industry – London is a huge financial centre, but its people are well connected, and you will see many of the same people throughout your career. The earlier you make those connections, the better.”
Ioannis also benefitted from support from Bayes’ Postgraduate Careers Department: Bayes is the only business school in the UK to integrate tailored career management into the curriculum across all specialised master’s and MBA programmes.
“The Careers Team was very supportive throughout the programme – I didn’t expect the level of help they offered. They provided CV reviews, mock interviews, and help preparing for assessment centres. They also offered career coaching and networking events with leading employers. I would say that their guidance was very helpful during the recruitment process, and so my advice to other students is to seek them out and make the most of what is on offer.”
Career success
After completing the MSc in International Accounting and Finance, Ioannis secured a job in the financial sector, working for an international investment bank, in the internal audit department.
“In this role I have been able to combine my previous professional experience with the technical and analytical skills I gained during my time at Bayes. My master’s significantly improved my analytical thinking, financial modelling, valuation, problem solving, and presentation skills. It also gave me the confidence to work in fast-paced and international environments – which is similar to the environment I am in now.”
“I work as an internal auditor, and we assess the controls and the procedures of the bank to check they are effective. I take part in walkthroughs, prepare working papers and I have many meetings with my team and with the auditees depending on the project.”
“My Bayes experience taught me that I enjoy working in challenging and international environments. It also helped me to become more adaptable, confident, and open-minded - especially when collaborating with people from different cultures and professional backgrounds. Previously, I was working in Greece, and I didn’t have any colleagues who weren’t Greek. Bayes gave me a new approach for working with different people from many different countries.”
Staying connected to Bayes
Since graduating, Ioannis has maintained his connection to the business school, regularly appearing on alumni panels offering career advice to current students.
“Bayes has played an important role in my professional journey and so staying connected felt like a natural choice. I enjoy giving back by sharing my experience with prospective and current students and hopefully helping them make the most of everything that Bayes has to offer.”
“My advice to new students is to take advantage of every opportunity open to you. Focus not only on your academic studies but also on networking, career events, extracurricular activities, and getting to know your classmates. The relationships you build and the experiences you gain outside the classroom can be just as valuable as the degree itself.”
“I'm excited about the future and continuing to grow professionally, taking on new challenges and expanding my expertise in finance. The industry is constantly evolving and I look forward to learning, developing, and contributing throughout my career.”
“When I look back on my time at Bayes, it’s hard to pick just one highlight, as there were so many positives to the overall experience – the programme itself, the friendships I built and the international elective in Madrid.”
“But mostly I’d say it was the doors that the programme opened for my career – that is what made it a truly unforgettable year.”