Course summary

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) from Southern Cross University, is designed for non-accounting business professionals seeking a career change, or for those already working in the accounting and finance industry who need a recognised accounting qualification.

The course is designed to enhance a student’s ability to manage complex accounting and business issues, and provides expertise in financial management, accounting information systems, financial reporting, auditing, corporate governance and contemporary accounting standards and research.

Graduates have excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate an organisation's complex financial information to its stakeholders.

Advanced standing may apply to students who have completed relevant undergraduate and postgraduate study. 

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) from Southern Cross University, is designed for non-accounting business professionals seeking a career change, or for those already working in the accounting and finance industry who need a recognised accounting qualification.

The course is designed to enhance a student’s ability to manage complex accounting and business issues, and provides expertise in financial management, accounting information systems, financial reporting, auditing, corporate governance and contemporary accounting standards and research.

Graduates have excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate an organisation's complex financial information to its stakeholders.

Advanced standing may apply to students who have completed relevant undergraduate and postgraduate study. 

The MPA comprises a core sequence of units that meet the professional accounting educational requirements and includes study in the following areas: business accounting, accounting information systems, financial reporting, management accounting, economics, quantitative analysis, company and commercial law, finance, accounting, theory and research.

Students also study advanced topics in accounting such as taxation law and practice, auditing and assurance and corporate governance. Management skills are also honed through study of communications and a number of electives. A key feature of the MPA program is the opportunity to undertake a double-weighted industry research project that students can apply to their current or future workplace.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Develop and create effective solutions to complex problems from a discipline area. Critically evaluate, analyse and synthesise a complex issue or theory from a discipline area to arrive at a conclusion/decision with justification.

Creativity

Incorporated in Intellectual rigour.

Ethical practice

Critically evaluate challenging interpersonal, organisational and governance issues in terms of their ethical implications. Apply discipline based knowledge and skills in situations that require autonomy and a high level of responsible behaviour.

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate and apply advanced discipline knowledge and skills in a specialised management area within a global perspective. Apply and integrate research principles and methods to complex management situations.

Lifelong learning

Incorporated in Intellectual rigour.

Communication and social skills

Prepare and deliver advanced discipline advice, knowledge and ideas orally in a business or public context on complex issues.

Prepare and deliver advanced written communications of justified advice for a business context and general public on complex issues.

Critically analyse leadership research and practice in the management of people and self.

Critically reflect on self and team regarding participation and performance.

Cultural competence

Incorporated in Knowledge of a discipline.

As part of this course, students may choose to undertake a 150-hour internship (equivalent to one unit) in either a paid or volunteer role. This practical experience, combined with theoretical understanding, enhances the learning experience for students. 
 
Students are responsible for securing their internship placement and are given extensive assistance in interview and application procedures, access to an extensive database of potential employers and roles and ongoing support from the dedicated Work Integrated Learning team. 

The Master of Professional Accounting is accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA).

Graduates may also be eligible to apply for admission to the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

Course overview

Course code

1207045

Course abbreviation

MPA (16 unit)

Credit points

192

Equivalent units

16

Duration

2 years full-time; 4 years part-time

Duration

2 years full-time

Availability details

Domestic

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1 N/A N/A
Melbourne Session 1 N/A N/A
Perth Session 1 N/A N/A
Sydney Session 1 N/A N/A
Online Session 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Fee paying

International

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold Coast Session 1 $26,400 ($3,300 per unit) 078675A
Melbourne Session 1 $28,000 ($3,500 per unit) 081533M
Perth Session 1 $28,000 ($3,500 per unit) 081533M
Sydney Session 1 $28,000 ($3,500 per unit) 081533M

Course requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

  1. To be eligible for the Master of Professional Accounting a candidate must successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units (192 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units in Part A and Part B; and
    2. two (2) units (24 credit points) from Part C
  2. To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma in Accounting a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units (96 credit points) from Part A.
  3. To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Accounting a candidate shall successfully complete not less than four (4) units (48 credit points) from Part A.
  4. A candidate in the Master of Professional Accounting who has completed (8) units (96 credit points) and met the requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Accounting may elect to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Accounting following withdrawal from candidature for the Master of Professional Accounting.
  5. A candidate in the Master of Professional Accounting who has completed four (4) units (48 credit points) and met the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Accounting may elect to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Accounting following withdrawal from candidature for the Master of Professional Accounting.

Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Title Level of learning Note
Students are advised to enrol in units relevant to their circumstances and entry levels. The course progression shown below is merely a suggestion.
Year 1, Session 1
ACC00712 - Business Accounting Introductory
MNG81001 - Management Communication Introductory
ACC00718 - Accounting Information Systems and Processes Intermediate
Year 1, Session 2
ACC00713 - Company and Financial Reporting Intermediate
LAW00720 - Legal Studies Introductory
ACC00714 - Managerial Accounting Intermediate
Year 1, Session 3
ECO82001 - Economics and Quantitative Analysis Intermediate
ACC00717 - Taxation Law and Practice Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
ACC00716 - Finance Introductory
1 unit from: Electives
1 unit from: Electives
Year 2, Session 2
ACC03043 - Corporate Governance Advanced
ACC03032 - Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory Advanced
Year 2, Session 3
MNG93003 - Industry Research Project Advanced Note 1
ACC00715 - Professional Auditing Advanced

Title Level of learning Note
Students are advised to enrol in units relevant to their circumstances and entry levels. The course progression shown below is merely a suggestion.

Year 1, Session 2

LAW00720 - Legal Studies Introductory
MNG81001 - Management Communication Introductory
1 unit from: Electives

Year 1, Session 3

ACC00712 - Business Accounting Introductory
ECO82001 - Economics and Quantitative Analysis Intermediate

Year 2, Session 1

ACC00713 - Company and Financial Reporting Intermediate
ACC00716 - Finance Introductory
ACC00718 - Accounting Information Systems and Processes Intermediate

Year 2, Session 2

ACC03032 - Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory Advanced
ACC00714 - Managerial Accounting Intermediate
ACC03043 - Corporate Governance Advanced

Year 2, Session 3

ACC00715 - Professional Auditing Advanced
ACC00717 - Taxation Law and Practice Intermediate

Year 3, Session 1

MNG93003 - Industry Research Project Advanced Note 1
1 unit from:Electives

Title Level of learning Note
Students are advised to enrol in units relevant to their circumstances and entry levels. The course progression shown below is merely a suggestion.

Year 1, Session 3

ACC00712 - Business Accounting Introductory
ECO82001 - Economics and Quantitative Analysis Intermediate
MNG81001 - Management Communication Introductory

Year 2, Session 1

ACC00713 - Company and Financial Reporting Intermediate
ACC00716 - Finance Introductory
ACC00718 - Accounting Information Systems and Processes Intermediate

Year 2, Session 2

LAW00720 - Legal Studies Introductory
ACC00714 - Managerial Accounting Intermediate

Year 2, Session 3

ACC00715 - Professional Auditing Advanced
ACC00717 - Taxation Law and Practice Intermediate

Year 3, Session 1

MNG93003 - Industry Research Project Advanced Note 1
1 unit from: Electives

Year 3, Session 2

ACC03043 - Corporate Governance Advanced
1 unit from: Electives
ACC03032 - Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory Advanced

Notes

Note 1: Double-weighted unit