Master of Professional Accounting

What is this course about?

CSU's Master of Professional Accounting program is designed to build upon previous non-accounting undergraduate studies and work experience, and to add conceptual depth by concentrating on studies in accounting and related disciplines.

The purpose of the Master of Professional Accounting is to provide a generalised professional accounting education to graduates of non-accounting disciplines and to satisfy the academic requirements of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and CPA Australia.

The Master of Professional Accounting is designed for students looking for a change in career, and opens the way to many vocational choices in areas of financial management, public practice, commerce and industry, government and semi-government organisations, and accounting education.

The 12-subject Master of Professional Accounting is available to students who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than accounting from a recognised tertiary institution, or a qualification deemed to be equivalent.

Applicants who do not have a Bachelor degree, but have a lower level qualification such as a TAFE Advanced Diploma, may enter the 16-subject Master of Professional Accounting by first completing the Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting or the Graduate Diploma of Accounting. Credit into the Master of Professional Accounting will be awarded for relevant subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma program.

This course is available by distance education from the Wagga Wagga Campus and face-to-face at the CSU Study Centres in Sydney and Melbourne.

Why study this degree?

The Master of Professional Accounting will prepare students to:

undertake and evaluate the conceptual basis of accounting and financial decision making
understand, evaluate and apply the principles of current accounting practice
recognise and analyse the impact of the business environment on accounting theory and its application, including the regulatory requirements controlling the accounting process.

More reasons to study this degree

Find out where this course can take you

Course structure

Master of Professional Accounting

The Master of Professional Accounting consists of 12 subjects if the student has a previous undergraduate degree, or 16 subjects for students who do not have an undergraduate degree and enter the program through a pathway of the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting or the Graduate Diploma of Accounting.

Graduate Diploma of Accounting

The Graduate Diploma of Accounting consists of eight subjects. At least four subjects must be accounting subjects drawn from the list of core Master of Professional Accounting subjects and no more than four subjects can be drawn from the list of restricted electives.

Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting consists of four subjects and is designed to allow students to choose subjects from the list of core Master of Professional Accounting subjects to best meet their individual needs.

More information about the course structure

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Why study this degree?

Flexible offering

As with all of CSU's courses, the Master of Professional Accounting and articulated programs are designed and delivered with study flexibility in mind. Our students choose between full-time and part-time study options to fit in with work and lifestyle commitments. You could choose to study just one subject in an academic session or, with approval, fast-track degree completion by undertaking three or four subjects per session.

This course is available by distance education from the Wagga Wagga Campus and face-to-face at the CSU Study Centres in Sydney and Melbourne.

The 12-subject Master of Professional Accounting has a minimum full-time duration of three sessions, however actual duration is dependent on subject availability and the session of commencement.

For distance education students, core subjects have compulsory residential schools that provide opportunities for intensive face-to-face learning.

Further study

After completing the Master of Professional Accounting, graduates may consider undertaking the Master of Accounting Practice. This highly specialised program will give graduates a competitive edge in their career. As part of the program, students will receive comprehensive tuition and support in the CPA Program professional level segments to prepare them for the external CPA Program examinations.

Professional recognition

These courses are accredited by CPA Australia, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia.

CPA Australia logo

Graduates of the Master of Professional Accounting can expect career opportunities in a range of areas including:

accounting
assurance services
taxation
financial management
commerce and industry
government and semi-government organisations
accounting education

Credit/pathways

Master of Professional Accounting (12 subjects)

Students may receive up to 50% (six 8 point subjects) credit into the Master of Professional Accounting program for related prior postgraduate studies. Credit will not be awarded for work experience.

Students with a completed Australian Bachelor level qualification or equivalent in business may be eligible for up to three subjects credit into the Master of Professional Accounting.

Applicants who have completed either the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting or the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting will be awarded credit for those subjects upon admission to the Master of Professional Accounting.

Master of Professional Accounting (16 subjects)

Students may receive up to 50% (eight 8 point subjects) credit into the extended Master of Professional Accounting program for related prior postgraduate studies. Credit will not be awarded for work experience.

Candidates may receive transfer credit for up to 50% of the course for prior study if they can demonstrate that such study was completed at a recognised higher education institution within the last 10 years at the postgraduate level. To apply for credit, candidates are required to submit with their application for admission a certified transcript of results and subject outline/curriculum of those subjects.

Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting

Students may receive up to 50% (four 8 point subjects) credit into the Graduate Diploma program for related prior postgraduate studies. Credit will not be awarded for work experience.

Applicants who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting will be awarded credit for those subjects upon admission to the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting or the Master of Professional Accounting.

Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting

Students may receive up to 50% (two 8 point subjects) credit into the Graduate Certificate program for related prior studies. Credit will not be awarded for work experience.

More information about credit and pathways.

Master of Professional Accounting (12 subjects)

The course consists of 12 subjects as follows:

ACC566 Accounting Systems & Processes
ACC512 Management Accounting for Costs & Control
ACC539 Accounting Information Systems
ACC514 Financial Accounting
ACC515 Accounting & Finance
ACC544 Decision Support Tools
ACC567 Financial Accounting 2
ACC568 Auditing
ACC518 Current Developments in Accounting Thought
ECO511 Economics for Business
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law 1
LAW505 Taxation 1

Master of Professional Accounting (16 subjects)

The course consists of 16 subjects (128 points) as follows:

Restricted electives

Plus 4 restricted electives from the following list:

ACC501 Business Accounting & Finance (available only in the first session of study)
HRM502 Human Resource Management
HRM512 Values and Conflicts in Organisations
HRM514 International Human Resource Management
HRM528 Strategic Human Resource Management
MGT501 Management Theory & Practice
MGT510 Strategic Management
MGT530 International Business
MGT540 Management of Change
MKT501 Marketing Management
MKT510 Customer Behaviour
MKT520 Managing Product and Service Innovation
MKT550 Global Marketing

Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting

The course consists of 4 subjects and is designed to allow students to choose subjects from the list of core Master of Professional Accounting subjects to best meet their individual needs. Students may make up their course from the following subjects:

Graduate Diploma of Accounting

The course consists of 8 subjects. At least 4 subjects must be accounting subjects and no more than 4 subjects can be drawn from the list of restricted electives.

Restricted electives

Maximum of 4 restricted electives from the following list:

Enrolment pattern

Master of Professional Accounting (12 subjects)

Full-time Study Sequence

If commencing at the start of a calendar year

1st session of enrolment
ACC566 Accounting Systems & Processes
ACC515 Accounting & Finance
ECO511 Economics for Business

2nd session of enrolment
ACC539 Accounting Information Systems
ACC514 Financial Accounting
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law

3rd session of enrolment
ACC544 Decision Support Tools
ACC567 Financial Accounting 2
LAW505 Taxation 1

4th session of enrolment
ACC512 Management Accounting for Costs & Control
ACC518 Current Developments in Accounting Thought
ACC568 Auditing

If commencing in the second session of a calendar year

1st session of enrolment
ACC512 Management Accounting for Costs & Control
ACC539 Accounting Information Systems
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law

2nd session of enrolment
ACC566 Accounting Systems & Processes
ECO511 Economics for Business
LAW505 Taxation 1

3rd session of enrolment
ACC514 Financial Accounting
ACC568 Auditing
ACC518 Current Developments in Accounting Thought

4th session of enrolment
ACC515 Accounting & Finance
ACC544 Decision Support Tools
ACC567 Financial Accounting 2

Distance Education Study Sequence

If commencing at the start of a calendar year

1st session of enrolment
ACC566 Accounting Systems & Processes
ECO511 Economics for Business

2nd session of enrolment
ACC512 Management Accounting for Costs & Control
ACC539 Accounting Information Systems

3rd session of enrolment
ACC544 Decision Support Tools
ACC515 Accounting & Finance

4th session of enrolment
ACC514 Financial Accounting
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law

5th session of enrolment
ACC567 Financial Accounting 2
LAW505 Taxation 1

6th session of enrolment
ACC568 Auditing
ACC518 Current Developments in Accounting Thought

If commencing in the second session of a calendar year

1st session of enrolment
ACC512 Management Accounting for Costs & Control
ACC539 Accounting Information Systems

2nd session of enrolment
ACC566 Accounting Systems & Processes
ECO511 Economics for Business

3rd session of enrolment
ACC514 Financial Accounting
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law

4th session of enrolment
ACC567 Financial Accounting 2
LAW505 Taxation 1

5th session of enrolment
ACC568 Auditing
ACC518 Current Developments in Accounting Thought

6th session of enrolment
ACC515 Accounting & Finance
ACC544 Decision Support Tools

Master of Professional Accounting (16 subjects)

Full-time Study Sequence

If commencing at the start of a calendar year

1st session of enrolment
ACC566 Accounting Systems & Processes
ECO511 Economics for Business
ACC515 Accounting & Finance
[ ] Elective 1

2nd session of enrolment
ACC539 Accounting Information Systems
ACC514 Financial Accounting
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law
[ ] Elective 2

3rd session of enrolment
ACC544 Decision Support Tools
ACC567 Financial Accounting 2
LAW505 Taxation 1
[ ] Elective 3

4th session of enrolment
ACC512 Management Accounting for Costs & Control
ACC568 Auditing
ACC518 Current Developments in Accounting Thought
[ ] Elective 4

If commencing in the second session of a calendar year

1st session of enrolment
ACC512 Management Accounting for Costs & Control
ACC539 Accounting Information Systems
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law
[ ] Elective 1

2nd session of enrolment
ACC566 Accounting Systems & Processes
ECO511 Economics for Business
LAW505 Taxation 1
[ ] Elective 2

3rd session of enrolment
ACC514 Financial Accounting
ACC568 Auditing
ACC518 Current Developments in Accounting Thought
[ ] Elective 3

4th session of enrolment
ACC515 Accounting & Finance
ACC544 Decision Support Tools
ACC567 Financial Accounting 2
[ ] Elective 4

Distance Education Study Sequence

If commencing at the start of a calendar year

1st session of enrolment
ACC566 Accounting Systems & Processes
ECO511 Economics for Business

2nd session of enrolment
ACC539 Accounting Information Systems
[ ] Elective 1

3rd session of enrolment
ACC515 Accounting & Finance
[ ] Elective 2

4th session of enrolment
ACC514 Financial Accounting
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law

5th session of enrolment
LAW505 Taxation 1
[ ] Elective 3

6th session of enrolment
ACC512 Management Accounting for Costs & Control
[ ] Elective 4

7th session of enrolment
ACC544 Decision Support Tools
ACC567 Financial Accounting 2

8th session of enrolment
ACC568 Auditing
ACC518 Current Developments in Accounting Thought

Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting

Students may make up their course from the following subjects:
ACC566 Accounting Systems & Processes
ACC512 Management Accounting for Costs & Control
ACC539 Accounting Information Systems
ACC514 Financial Accounting
ACC515 Accounting & Finance
ACC544 Decision Support Tools
ACC567 Financial Accounting 2
ACC568 Auditing
ACC518 Current Developments in Accounting Thought
ECO511 Economics for Business
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law 1
LAW505 Taxation 1

Graduate Diploma of Accounting

Students may make up their course from the following subjects (4 subjects must be accounting subjects and no more than 4 subjects can be chosen from the list of restricted electives):
ACC566 Accounting Systems & Processes
ACC512 Management Accounting for Costs & Control
ACC539 Accounting Information Systems
ACC514 Financial Accounting
ACC515 Accounting & Finance
ACC544 Decision Support Tools
ACC567 Financial Accounting 2
ACC568 Auditing
ACC518 Current Developments in Accounting Thought
ECO511 Economics for Business
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law
LAW505 Taxation 1

Restricted electives
Up to 4 restricted electives from the following list:
ACC501 Business Accounting & Finance (available only in the first session of study)
HRM502 Human Resource Management
HRM512 Values and Conflicts in Organisations
HRM514 International Human Resource Management
HRM528 Strategic Human Resource Management
MGT501 Management Theory & Practice
MGT510 Strategic Management
MGT530 International Business
MGT540 Management of Change
MKT501 Marketing Management
MKT510 Customer Behaviour
MKT520 Managing Product and Service Innovation
MKT550 Global Marketing

Admission requirements

Students interested in enrolling must have:

an undergraduate degree from a recognised tertiary institution and/or an equivalent professional qualification.
a minimum of three years' work experience.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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This course is available to commence study in

Australian and New Zealand students

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Admission code:

Distance education

Master (12 subject)- OBPR
Master (16 subject) - OBPS
Graduate Diploma - OBGA
Graduate Certificate - OBAE

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International Students

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Admission code:

Distance education

Master (12 subject) - JBMW
Master (16 subject) - JBMX
Graduate Diploma - JBGA
Graduate Certificate - JBCA

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CSU Study Centres

All applicants should apply direct to CSU Study Centres in Sydney and Melbourne.

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Recruitment agent

Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.

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