Bachelor of Accounting

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Accounting offers increased subject choice, greater workplace focus, and enhanced learning support.

Accounting is a dynamic and rapidly growing profession servicing all sectors of the economy from not-for-profit and public sector to global enterprises. Accountants in organisations hold important and highly paid roles ranging from financial and management accountants through to CEOs. Accounting is the language of business and this places accountants in a commanding position to lead organisations into the future.

The CSU Bachelor of Accounting degree is an excellent platform from which graduates can launch their accounting and management career. The practical focus of the course ensures that on completion you will be a work-ready graduate with employment opportunities in professional accounting practice, commerce, industry, government and the not-for-profit sector.

It is widely recognised that CSU accounting graduates have an excellent record of achieving graduate positions at leading firms.

The Bachelor of Accounting at Dubbo and Port Macquarie campuses is only available to domestic students.

Why do this degree?

Joint Studies

A principal advantage of the Bachelor of Accounting is the opportunity to specialise in a second area/discipline including Banking, Economics, Finance, Financial Planning, Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations, Legal Studies,  Management Marketing, or non-business areas such as Advertising, Ecotourism or Psychology.

Credit for TAFE or other University studies

Students who have studied and successfully completed relevant subjects at other universities or educational institutions may apply for credit for those subjects when applying to CSU courses. Credit will be granted for subjects which are equivalent in content and standard, at the discretion of the Course Director.

More reasons to study this degree

Find out where this course can take you

Credit/Pathways

This course has articulation agreements with TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute (NCIT) Port Macquarie. Credit may be granted for relevant study at other universities or educational instiutions.

More information about credit and pathways.

Course Structure

The course consists of eighteen core subjects and six elective subjects.

If you select a prescribed set of subjects within your six electives, you can complete a Joint Study in another discipline area (e.g. Management, Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing) which will be included on your testamur.

More information about the course structure

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with the Bachelor of Accounting students must complete 192 points at pass level or better (24 subjects). These subjects are a combination of core subjects, specialisation subjects and electives.

To graduate with the Associate Degree in Business Studies (AssocDegBusStud) students must complete 128 points (16 subjects).

To graduate with the award Diploma of Business Studies (DipBusStud) students must complete 64 points (8 subjects).

To graduate with the award Diploma in Commerce (DipCom) students must complete 64 points (8 subjects)

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 outlines and in course materials.






Where it will take you

You will have a basis for many vocational choices, including:

  • Public practice - auditing, business advisory services, taxation, management consulting, insolvency and corporate (business) recovery, information technology, external reporting
  • Commerce and industry - management accounting, budget planning and control, taxation planning, information systems design, electronic data processing, financial accounting and financial management, internal auditing, policy formulation, strategic planning, team research, product planning and marketing, and
  • Government, semi-government and non-profit organisations - financial accountability, budgeting and performance measurement, accounting control systems, policy formulation, prices surveillance, cost/benefit analysis, cost/effectiveness analysis

University Certificate in Business
Students are not entitled to credit in this course as the University does not allow credit in University Certificate courses.

Bachelor of Accounting
The Faculty has a large number of standard credit packages for TAFE and other institutions. Students who have studied and successfully completed relevant subjects at other universities or educational institutions may apply for credit for those subjects when applying to CSU courses. Credit will be granted for subjects, which are equivalent in content and standard, at the discretion of the Course Director.
Further information in regard to credit may be found at http://www.csu.edu.au/apply/credit

 

The course consists of eighteen core subjects and six elective subjects.

Students must ensure that there are no more than 12 level one subjects in their degree. The level of a subject is designated by the first digit in the subject code, e.g. ACC100 is a level one subject.

Core Subjects

ACC100 Accounting 1
ACC110 Accounting 2
ECO130 Business Economics
LAW110 Business Law
MGT100 Organisations and Management
MGT230 Ethics, Sustainability and Culture
QBM117 Business Statistics
ACC200 Accounting Systems
ACC210 Management Accounting
ACC222 External Reporting
ACC275 Professional Practice in Accounting
ACC311 Strategic and Sustainable Accounting
ACC322 Company Accounting
ACC331 Auditing & Assurance Services
ACC341 Accounting Theory
FIN211 Financial Management
LAW220 Business Organisations Law
LAW301 Taxation Law (Principles)

Electives

Students may undertake six free electives or choose a Joint Study as their electives.

(A free elective is a subject that may be chosen from virtually any subject on offer across the University provided prerequisites, assumed knowledge, enrolment restrictions and any other Faculty requirements have been met.)

TAFE NSW -  North Coast Institute (NCIT) Port Macquarie

Articulated Program

Students who successfully complete the Advanced Diploma of Accounting through NCIT Port Macquarie will receive eleven (11) eight (8) point subject credits  and  will be required to successfully complete  thirteen (13) CSU degree subjects to graduate with the Bachelor of Accounting. 

Integrated Program

On successful completion of the NCIT Port Macquarie Certificate IV Accounting, students will complete the NCIT Port Macquarie Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Accounting while concurrently undertaking the required CSU subjects outline below to be eligible to graduate with the Bachelor of Accounting.

Required CSU Subjects

In addition to the 11 subject credits NCIT students will complete the following CSU degree Subjects:

ECO130 Business Economics
MGT100 Organisations and Management
MGT230 Ethics, Sustainability and Culture
QBM117 Business Statistics
ACC222 External Reporting
ACC275 Professional Practice in Accounting
ACC311 Strategic and Sustainable Accounting
ACC322 Company Accounting
ACC331 Auditing & Assurance Services
ACC341 Accounting Theory
FIN211 Financial Management
LAW220 Business Organisations Law
LAW301 Taxation Law (Principles)

The application of any TAFE NSW -  North Coast Institute (NCIT) Port Macquarie student seeking credit for partial completion of a NCIT course shall be considered for credit on a case by case basis

Joint Study

A joint study is a prescribed set of subjects taken from a discipline other than Accounting. Students are then able to use the title of the joint study in conjunction with Bachelor of Accounting (e.g. Bachelor of Accounting/Finance).

For a Joint Study either from within the Faculty of Business or consisting of subjects from another Faculty, students must take an established sequence or set of five subjects. Established sequences are determined by the Faculty Board. Students must ensure that they take the necessary pre-requisites or have the required assumed knowledge. 

No more than two subjects can be counted towards a Joint Study if they have already been undertaken as part of either the core or a specialisation. 

A student cannot claim more than one Joint Study.

The following Joint Studies are offered in the Bachelor of Accounting

Banking joint study

FIN211 Financial Management
FIN230 Financial Institutions and Markets
FIN310 Commercial Banking & Finance
FIN320 Financial Institutions Lending
LAW330 Finance Law

Business Chinese joint study

Four subjects from:
BUS301 Business Language and Culture (Economics)
BUS302 Business Language and Culture (Marketing)
BUS303 Business Language and Culture (Management)
BUS304 Business Language and Culture (Accounting)
BUS305 Business Language and Culture (Information Technology)

and one from:
ACC260 International Accounting
ECO320 International Economics
FIN340 International Finance
LAW335 International Business Law
MGT250 Asia-Pacific Business
MGT340 International Business Management
MKT260 International Marketing

Note: the four Business Language and Culture subjects are undertaken in a single session at a partner institution in China. Students should consult the Course Coordinator about this joint study. 

Economics joint study

Five of the following:

ECO130 Business Economics
ECO210 Labour Economics
ECO215 Managerial Economics for Business Strategy
ECO220 Macroeconomic Analysis
ECO240 Forecasting for Business
ECO320 International Economics
ECO330 Regional Sustainable Development
ECO355 Contemporary Economic Issues
ECO356 Environmental Economics 

eCommerce joint study

ACC200 Accounting Systems or  ITC105 Communication and Information Management
ITC331 Ethics and Professional Practice
LAW200 Commercial Activities: Law and Policy
LAW395 Electronic Commerce and the Law
MGT220 e-Commerce

Finance joint study

FIN211 Financial Management
FIN221 Investments
FIN230 Financial Institutions & Markets

and two from:
FIN331 Financial Planning
FIN340 International Finance
FIN350 Strategic Financial Management
FIN360 Treasury Risk Management
FIN370 Funds Management 

Financial Planning joint study

FIN211 Financial Management
FIN221 Investments
FIN331 Financial Planning
FIN380 Superannuation
LAW301 Taxation Law (Principles)

Human Resource Management joint study

HRM310 Developing Human Resources
HRM320 Issues in Human Resource Management
HRM330 Strategic Human Resource Management

and two from:
ECO210 Labour Economics
HRM210 Human Resource Management
INR310 Comparative Industrial Regulations
LAW370 Law of Employment
MGT210 Organisational Behaviour 

Industrial Relations joint study

INR210 Industrial Relations in Australia
LAW240 Industrial Law
INR310 Comparative Industrial Relations
LAW370 Law of Employment

and one from:
ECO210 Labour Economics
HRM210 Human Resource Management
LAW260 Administrative Law
MGT320 Managing Change 

Information Systems joint study

ITC114 Database Management Systems
ITC211 Systems Analysis

and three of the following, only one of which may be at Level 1:
ITC105 Communication and Information Management
ITC106 Programming Principles
ITC161 Introduction to Information Technology
ITC204 User Interface Design and Evaluation
ITC206 Programming in Java 1
ITC214 Database Implementation
ITC215 Modelling and Decision Support
ITC216 Online Multimedia
ITC230 Introduction to Web Development
ITC240 IT Infrastructure Management
ITC242 Introduction to Data Communications
ITC301 IT Project Management
ITC331 Security, Privacy and Ethics
ITC383 Strategic Information Management 

International Business joint study

MGT250 Asia-Pacific Business
MGT340 International Business Management

and three from:
ECO320 International Economics
FIN340 International Finance
INR310 Comparative Industrial Relations
LAW335 International Business Law
MKT260 International Marketing

Legal Studies joint study

LAW110 Business Law

and four from:
LAW200 Commercial Activities: Law & Policy
LAW220 Business Organisations Law
LAW240 Industrial Law
LAW260 Administrative Law
LAW301 Taxation Law (Principles)
LAW302 Taxation Law (Issues)
LAW330 Finance Law
LAW335 International Business Law
LAW350 Advanced Commercial Law
LAW370 Law of Employment

Management joint study

MGT310 Service Operations Management
MGT320 Managing Change
MGT330 Business Strategy

and two from:
LAW220 Business Organisations Law
MGT210 Organisational Behaviour
MGT340 International Business Management
INR310 Comparative Industrial Relations
ECO210 Labour Economics 

Marketing joint study

MKT110 Marketing & Society
MKT220 Buyer Behaviour
MKT230 Market Research

and two from the following:
MKT260 International Marketing
MKT310 Marketing Communications
MKT335 Marketing of Services
MKT336 B2B Marketing
MKT340 Strategic Marketing Management
MKT350 Product Innovation Management 

Tourism Management joint study

INR210 Industrial Relations in Australia
MGT230 Ethics, Sustainability and Culture
TRM210 Introduction to Tourism
TRM330 Issues in Tourism Policy & Planning
TRM360 Tourism Event Management 

From outside the Faculty

Advertising joint study (internal mode only)

ADV203 Principles of Advertising 
ADV205 Advertising Creative
ADV206 Principles of Channel Planning
ADV310 Advertising Strategy & Campaign Planning
ADV313 Advertising Client Management 

Agribusiness joint study

AGB233 Agribusiness Management
AGB250 International Agriproduct Trade
AGB310 Agricultural Marketing
AGB450 Agribusiness Decision Analysis

Plus one of the following:
AGB165 Agribusiness Systems
AGR175 Introduction to Rural Management
AGR220 Extension

 Cultural Heritage Management joint study

ENM163 Natural Resource Management
PKM260 Interpretive Planning
PKM266 Cultural Resource Management

Plus either
PKM397 Heritage Site Management (16 points)
or
PKM398 Cultural Heritage Policy & Planning (16 points) 

Crop Production joint study (Management Strand)

AGR156 Plants in Agriculture
AGR175 Introduction to Rural management
PSC236 Pasture Production and Management
PSC270 Annual Crop Management
AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences

Crop Production joint study (SciencesStrand)

Students choose five of the following:
PSC102 Botany
PSC104 Soil Science
PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science
PSC271 Crop Agronomy
PSC371 Plant Pathology
AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences

Ecotourism joint study

REC200 Principles of Ecotourism

and four from:
REC167 Recreation Leadership & Communication
REC302 Interpretive Guiding Management in Ecotourism
REC305 Advanced Principles of Ecotourism
PKM230 Social Psychology of Risk in Outdoor Recreation
PKM260 Interpretive Planning
PKM302 Philosophy of Outdoor Recreation 

Leisure and Health joint study

LES101 Introduction to Leisure and Health
LES102 Leisure Programming with Diverse Populations
LES202 Community Leisure & Health Issues
LES301 Health Policy and Program Development
LES302 Leisure and Social Relations 

Organisational Communication and Public Relations joint study

COM116 Principles and Practices of Public Relations
COM215 Public Relations Processes
COM313 Crisis and Issues Management

and two from:
COM115 Media Audiences and Public Opinion
COM232 Strategic Public Relations Practice
COM316 Advertising and Public Relations Research
COM318 Public Affairs

Psychology joint study

PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing

and one from:
PSY305 Psychology of Personality
PSY307 Cognition

Note: Students who have completed QBM117 Business Statistics, QBM217 Advanced Business Statistics and MKT230 Marketing Research are not required to complete PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology. 

Sociology joint study

SOC101 Introductory Sociology
SOC102 Social Inequality

Plus
Three SOC coded subjects, at least one at Level 2 and one at Level 3. 

Vocational Training joint study

Students must complete:

EEE220 Program Design and Assessment in VET
EPT301 Teaching and Training in VET (16 Points/two sessions)
EPT322 Effective Training in Workplace

And one subject from:
EEB320 The Vocational Education and Training Practitioner in an Entrepreneurial Environment
EEB330 Developing the VET Practitioner
EMT220 Flexible Delivery in VET Sector
EPT320 High Level Facilitation Skills for Post Compulsory Education 

Enrolment pattern

Full-time suggested study sequence

Year 1 Session 1

ACC100  Accounting 1
LAW110  Business Law
MGT100  Organisations & Management
[ ] Elective 1 

Year 1 Session 2

ACC110 Accounting 2
ECO130 Business Economics
MGT230 Ethics, Sustainability and Culture
QBM117 Business Statistics

Year 2 Session 1

ACC200 Accounting Systems
ACC210 Management Accounting
FIN211   Financial Management
[ ] Elective 2

Year 2 Session 2

ACC222 External Reporting
ACC275 Professional Practice in Accounting
LAW220 Business Organisations Law
[ ] Elective 3 

Year 3 Session 1

ACC322 Company Accounting
ACC331 Auditing & Assurance Services
[ ] Elective 4
[ ] Elective 5 

Year 3 Session 2

ACC311 Strategic and Sustainable Accounting
ACC341 Accounting Theory
LAW301 Taxation Law (Principles)
[ ] Elective 6

Part-time/distance education suggested study sequence

Year 1 Session 1

ACC100 Accounting 1
LAW110 Business Law 

Year 1 Session 2

ACC110 Accounting 2
ECO130 Business Economics

Year 2 Session 1

QBM117 Business Statistics
[ ] Elective 1 

Year 2 Session 2

MGT100 Organisations and Management
MGT230 Ethics, Sustainability and Culture 

Year 3 Session 1

ACC200 Accounting Systems
FIN211 Financial Management 

Year 3Session 2

LAW220 Business Organisations Law
[ ] Elective 2

Year 4 Session 1

ACC210 Management Accounting
[ ] Elective 3 

Year 4 Session 2

ACC222 External Reporting
ACC275 Professional Practice in Accounting

Year 5 Session 1

ACC322 Company Accounting
LAW301 Taxation Law (Principles) 

Year 5 Session 2

ACC311 Strategic and Sustainable Accounting
[ ] Elective 4 

Year 6 Session 1

ACC331 Auditing & Assurance Services
[ ] Elective 5 

Year 6 Session 2

ACC341 Accounting Theory
[ ] Elective 6

Please Note:  The above is a suggested study sequence.  A range of subjects will be offered in Session 3 each year.  Students may wish to enrol in Session 3 to accelerate their course completion.

TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute (NCIT) Port Macquarie Articulated Program

Study Sequence

Year 1 Session 1

MGT 100 Organisations & Management

Year 1 Session 2

ECO130 Business Economics
QBM117 Business Statistics 

Year 1 Session  3

LAW 220 Business Organisations Law
ACC222  External Reporting
 

Year 2 Session 1

MGT230 Ethics Sustainability and Culture
FIN211   Financial Management

Year 2 Session 2

ACC275 Professional Practice in Accounting
ACC311 Strategic and Sustainable Accounting

Year 3 Session 1

ACC322 Company Accounting
ACC331 Audit and Assurance Services

Year 3 Session 2

ACC341 Accounting Theory
LAW301 Taxation Law

TAFE NSW -  North Coast Institute (NCIT) Port Macquarie Integrated Program

Study Sequence

Year 1 Session 1

NCIT Certificate IV Accounting 

Year 1 Session 2

NCIT Certificate IV Accounting

Year 2 Session 1

NCIT Diploma  Accounting
MGT 100 Organisations & Management

Year 2 Session 2

NCIT Diploma  Advanced Accounting
ECO130 Business Economics
QBM117 Business Statistics 

Year 2 Session 

LAW 220 Business Organisations Law
ACC222  External Reporting
 

Year 3 Session 1

MGT230 Ethics Sustainability and Culture
FIN211   Financial Management
ACC322 Company Accounting
ACC331 Audit and Assurance Services

Year 3 Session 2

ACC275 Professional Practice in Accounting
ACC311 Strategic and Sustainable Accounting
ACC341 Accounting Theory
LAW301 Taxation Law

Articulation

Exit Point Awards
While this course does not articulate with other courses, students who wish to terminate their study at an earlier stage may be eligible to receive one of lower level awards, the Associate Degree in Business Studies or the University Certificate in Business Studies.

Exit with Associate Degree:
Students will be eligible to graduate with the award Associate Degree in Business Studies (AssocDegBusStud) if they have completed 128 points in the Bachelor of Accounting of which at least 88 points must be business or business related subjects excluding ITC coded subjects, thus meeting the requirements of the Associate Degree.

Admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

  1. previous studies, and
  2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

  • the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
  • the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
  • a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
  • a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
  • an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
  • completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

  • have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
  • were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
  • have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
    or
  • have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

  • an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
  • a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
  • a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
  • a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
  • a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
  • a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
  • completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
  • a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
  • completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
  • completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
  • successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
  • a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
  • a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
  • IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

  • voluntary or paid work experience;
  • performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
  • participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
  • completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

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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Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 3 available through Study Centre Melbourne and Sydney only.

Australian and New Zealand students

Apply through UAC

Full-time on campus study only

Admission code:

  • Albury-Wodonga - 212011
  • Bathurst - 212017
  • Dubbo - 212015
  • Wagga Wagga - 212014
  • Port Macquarie - 212020

Intake at Dubbo Campus is for Session 1 only.

    Apply through VTAC

    • Albury-Wodonga - 13121

    Apply online

    Admission code:

    • Distance Education
      • Bathurst - EBAQ
      • Wagga Wagga - EBAW
    • On campus Session 2
      • Albury-Wodonga - KBEQ
      • Bathurst - KBGQ
      • Dubbo - KBAD
      • Wagga Wagga - KBFQ

International Students

Apply online

Admission code:

  • On Campus
    • Albury-Wodonga - IBEQ
    • Bathurst - IBAQ
    • Wagga Wagga - IBAW
  • Distance Education - JABW

CSU Study Centres

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

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.

More information:

Consider also:

Prospective Student Inquiries

Australian campus business hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Australian Eastern Time (GMT +10).

info.csu can provide support and guidance to prospective students on everything you need to know on the University, courses, fees, accommodation, etc.

within Australia 1800 334 733
International + 61 2 6338 6077 Fax (02) 6338 6001