Program Overview

This two-year qualification will help you to step into the field of accounting and broaden your career prospects. You'll gain foundational accounting skills in your first year before progressing to expert studies in your second year.

In your first year of study, you will begin to develop the financial, analytical, research and communication skills required of professional accountants*. You'll build your understanding through theoretical study and real-life cases. You will then select one of three majors in your second year.

You'll have hands-on experience using professional accounting software such as Xero, Excel, R, Tableau, SPSS, Oracle, APEX, Pythion, ArcGIS and VSOviewer. To further enhance your employability, you'll also undertake an accounting research project, analysing the performance of a real company and preparing a financial analysis.

Towards the end of your course, you will undertake an industry-connected capstone experience, including an internship, research project or study tour. You will also be able to attend employee presentations to expand your networks, with past companies including Coca-Cola Amatil, Grant Thornton and Nexia.

What you'll learn

• Apply principles of financial accounting, managerial accounting, governance and auditing to grasp theoretical underpinnings of the discipline. Extend knowledge base with research and application of business research methods.
• Apply critical and analytical thinking to develop innovative solutions to complex problems in relevant business fields.
• Locate, extract and critically appraise information from a range of sources and effectively communicate it using structured financial or other appropriate language to a professional audience for a range of purposes.
• Develop ongoing professional, self-directed and reflective education relating to developments and changes in the information requirements of a global financial system that is multi-perspective in nature, and apply international financial reporting standards.
• Recognise that cultural practices and differences impact upon commercial endeavours and interpersonal relations. Work effectively in multicultural team environments.
• Exhibit professional and ethical approach to analysing and reporting commercial activities demonstrating leadership, collaborative and independent qualities when required, in compliance with appropriate legislation and protocols.

Major: CPA Australia
This major will help to ensure your success as a Chartered Practising Accountant.

You will be offered tuition for subjects in the CPA Program offered by CPA Australia. You will be required to sit all CPA Program exams administered by CPA Australia and meet all CPA Australia’s program requirements. You will be responsible for all fees, including subject exam fees.

You will also develop skills in areas including strategic management accounting and ethical professional judgement in the workplace, and learn about the implications of accounting regulation on corporate reporting.

Note: This major sits within two master degrees. To apply for this major, you will apply for either the one-year Master of Accounting, if you hold a bachelor degree in accounting; or the Master of Professional Accounting, if you are looking to break into the accounting field.