Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension)

What is this course about?

CSU's accredited Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) is designed to build on previous non-accounting undergraduate studies to provide graduates with relevant technical and theoretical knowledge of accounting and related disciplines.

This course is designed for students already working in a business field and seeking to obtain formal qualifications in accounting or those looking for a change in career. The course 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.

This course is available both as on-campus study at Study Centres in Melbourne and Sydney, and by distance education, with subjects taught using a range of blended learning techniques which include online education study materials, video-captured lectures, online meetings, and subject forums.

Why study this degree?

Some reasons for studying the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) include:

• add a recognised postgraduate accounting qualification to previous studies in arts, science, law, business or humanities to develop a business career in a field of personal interest
• thorough preparation for entry to the accounting profession, completed in three years or less
• an emphasis on competency in theory, practice and the ability to communicate in all areas of accounting and related fields
• completion of the core knowledge requirements for Associate membership of CPA Australia within the structure of the Master degree
• tuition and support for the CPA Program professional level segments from specialist staff to prepare candidates for their CPA Program examinations within the course requirements.

More reasons to study this degree

Find out where this course can take you

Course structure

The foundation component of the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) consists of 12 subjects.  Subjects cover accounting, finance, systems, law and taxation along with complementary foundation studies in economics and quantitative methods.

Following on from the 12 foundation level subjects of the Master degree, students progressing to the CPA Extension concurrently enrol in the professional level of the CPA Program with CPA Australia. While enrolled in the Master degree, students receive tuition from experienced academics for the CPA Program professional level segments to prepare candidates for their external CPA Program examinations. 

On completion of the Master degree, graduates are ready to move into an accounting career already holding a postgraduate qualification and on their way to becoming a CPA.

More information about the course structure

Graduation requirements

In total, students in the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) complete 18 subjects over three years. Students may be able to fast-track their course over 2.5 years with the approval of the Course Manager. Each subject is weighted at 8 points with 144 points are required for degree completion.

Students studying CPA subjects as part of the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) must be concurrently enrolled in the CPA Program of CPA Australia. To pass a CSU CPA subject, students must pass the relevant CPA Program - professional level segment. On completion of the CSU program, graduates will have obtained a recognised university accounting qualification and have successfully completed the professional level of the CPA Australia, CPA Program.