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.

Why study this degree?

The Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) program will prepare students to:

• understand and evaluate the conceptual basis of accounting
• understand, evaluate and apply the principles of current accounting practice
• demonstrate knowledge of the technical skills essential for the professional accountant in the global environment
• recognise and analyse the impact of the business environment on accounting theory and its application, including the regulatory requirements controlling the accounting process
• understand and be able to apply principles and analytical techniques from economics, commercial law, business communications and quantitative methods in the accounting context
• be effective communicators of financial information to clients, managers and business groups
• demonstrate knowledge in core subject areas required for Associate membership of CPA Australia
• sit the CPA Program professional level external examinations.

CPA Program

The CPA Program provides technical expertise and develops strategic thinking to train future business leaders. It focuses on domestic and global business issues, providing a truly global qualification.

The compulsory segments of the CPA Program professional level include Ethics and Governance, Strategic Management Accounting, Financial Reporting and the capstone segment, Global Strategy and Leadership. The elective segments of the CPA Program include Advanced Audit and Assurance, Contemporary Business Issues, Advanced Taxation and Financial Risk Management.

Note to students: In completing any subject identified as a "CPA subject" in the list of subjects offered by Charles Sturt University, you will not qualify as a CPA. To qualify as a CPA, you must meet ALL the requirements of the CPA Program as set by CPA Australia. Visit: www.cpaaustralia.com.au/cpaprogram

Workplace Learning

Subjects in the course often use case studies based on real world events. Through case study analysis, research and report writing, students learn to use accumulated knowledge and skills to solve problems in a manner typically experienced in professional and commercial practice. In addition, the course is explicitly designed as a practical learning platform enabling students to build workplace-ready capabilities.

Graduates of the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) can expect career opportunities that include:

• public practice accounting
• management accounting
• assurance services
• accounting systems analysis and design
• taxation
• financial planning
• business consulting
• corporate treasury
• funds management
• financial analysis
• financial risk management.

Graduates of the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) can expect career opportunities including:

• accounting
• assurance services
• taxation
• financial planning
• business consulting
• corporate treasury
• funds management
• financial analysis

Admission requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution, or a qualification deemed to be equivalent. The degree or qualification must be in a field other than accounting.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language must have sufficient English proficiency to meet the general requirements of the University, or must demonstrate proficiency explicitly as follows: Students must have attained within two years of commencement of the course an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.5 with no score below 6 in any band.

Applicants wishing to transfer into the program from a current enrolment in another course must have a credit average on studies completed prior to transfer.

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.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 6.5, and with scores of 6 or higher in each of the individual skill areas within the last 12 months;  or
2. undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
3. undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies;  or
4. completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;

The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.

NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.

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