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Master of Professional Accounting

Masters by Coursework

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
    Depending on unit availabilities, previous study or work experience, students may be able to complete their degree in a shorter duration than indicated. 

  • Location

    View in availability

  • Course abbreviation

    MPA (16 unit)

  • Course code

    1207045

  • Credit points

    192

  • Equivalent units

    16

  • Indicative Fee

    Fee paying

Overview

Accountants are vital to the operation and success of businesses and organisations at all levels and, not surprisingly, there is high demand for skilled accountants worldwide.

This CPA Australia and CA ANZ accredited course is designed for business professionals who are pursuing a career change as an accountant. It will also suit those already in the industry who need a recognised accounting qualification.

You'll become adept in complex accounting and business issues, and grow your expertise in financial management, accounting information systems, financial reporting, auditing, corporate governance and contemporary accounting standards and research.

Graduates are equipped to work in business, government and not-for-profit organisations in accounting, financial services and management positions. Advanced standing may apply to students who have completed relevant undergraduate and postgraduate study. 

Course Learning Outcome

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.

Incorporated in Intellectual rigour.

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.

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.

Incorporated in Intellectual rigour.

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.

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 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.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A
Online Session 1 , Session 2 , Session 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The Master of Professional Accounting fulfils the academic pre-requisites for registration as a professional accountant in Australia and is accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).

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

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Master of Professional Accounting students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:

  •  13 core units (168 credit points), and
  •  2 equivalent elective units (24 credit points).

 

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma in Accounting after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising 8 core units.

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Accounting after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.

Course structure

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.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes
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
ACCT5001 Business Accounting
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session1,3
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
Perth N/A
Session1,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,3
Anti-requisites ACC00700 Basic Business Accounting
BUSN5003 Management Communication
Session1,2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Melbourne N/A
Session1,2,3
Online
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Perth N/A
Session1,2,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,2,3
ISYS5004 Accounting Information Systems and Processes
Session1
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Perth N/A
Session1
Sydney N/A
Session1
Year 1, Session 2
ACCT6001 Company and Financial Reporting
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2
Session1,2
Perth N/A
Session1,2
Sydney
Session1
Session1,2
Pre-requisites ACC00712 Business Accounting
Anti-requisites ACC00701 Accounting for Group Entities ACC00703 Business Financial Accounting
LEGL5001 Legal Studies
Session2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
ACCT6002 Managerial Accounting
Session2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
Pre-requisites ACCT5001 - Business Accounting
Year 1, Session 3
ECON5001 Economics and Quantitative Analysis
Session3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session3
Online
Session3
Session3
Perth N/A
Session3
Sydney N/A
Session3
ACCT6005 Taxation Law and Practice
Session3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session3
Online
Session3
Session3
Perth N/A
Session3
Sydney N/A
Session3
Enrolment information It is strongly recommended that you have an ability to read and navigate pieces of legislation applicable to Australian Law.
Year 2, Session 1
ACCT6004 Finance
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Melbourne N/A
Session1,3
Online
Session1
Session1
Perth N/A
Session1,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,3
Anti-requisites FIN00706 Financial Management in Business
Enrolment information This unit is taught on the assumption that students have basic knowledge of accounting as included in ACCT5002 - Accounting for Managers or equivalent.
1 unit from: Electives
1 unit from: Electives
Year 2, Session 2
ACCT6015 Corporate Governance
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
ACCT6006 Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory
Session2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
Pre-requisites ACCT6001 - Company and Financial Reporting
Year 2, Session 3
BUSN7003 Industry Research Project
Session1,2,3
Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Melbourne N/A
Session1,2,3
Online
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Perth N/A
Session1,2,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,2,3
Pre-requisites 72 credit points from masters level (AQF 9)
Enrolment information Noting the focus on advanced, independent learning required by this unit, students are advised to enrol in the subject towards the final stage of their course.
ACCT6003 Professional Auditing
Session3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session3
Online
Session3
Session3
Perth N/A
Session3
Sydney N/A
Session3
Pre-requisites ACCT6001 - Company and Financial Reporting
Anti-requisites ACC00704 Auditing and Accounting Practice
Enrolment information This is an advanced unit. It is highly recommended that students take this unit after having completed an introductory Finance or Economics unit.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes
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

LEGL5001 Legal Studies
Session2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
BUSN5003 Management Communication
Session1,2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Melbourne N/A
Session1,2,3
Online
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Perth N/A
Session1,2,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,2,3
1 unit from: Electives

Year 1, Session 3

ACCT5001 Business Accounting
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session1,3
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
Perth N/A
Session1,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,3
Anti-requisites ACC00700 Basic Business Accounting
ECON5001 Economics and Quantitative Analysis
Session3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session3
Online
Session3
Session3
Perth N/A
Session3
Sydney N/A
Session3

Year 2, Session 1

ACCT6001 Company and Financial Reporting
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2
Session1,2
Perth N/A
Session1,2
Sydney
Session1
Session1,2
Pre-requisites ACC00712 Business Accounting
Anti-requisites ACC00701 Accounting for Group Entities ACC00703 Business Financial Accounting
ACCT6004 Finance
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Melbourne N/A
Session1,3
Online
Session1
Session1
Perth N/A
Session1,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,3
Anti-requisites FIN00706 Financial Management in Business
Enrolment information This unit is taught on the assumption that students have basic knowledge of accounting as included in ACCT5002 - Accounting for Managers or equivalent.
ISYS5004 Accounting Information Systems and Processes
Session1
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Perth N/A
Session1
Sydney N/A
Session1

Year 2, Session 2

ACCT6006 Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory
Session2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
Pre-requisites ACCT6001 - Company and Financial Reporting
ACCT6002 Managerial Accounting
Session2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
Pre-requisites ACCT5001 - Business Accounting
ACCT6015 Corporate Governance
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2

Year 2, Session 3

ACCT6003 Professional Auditing
Session3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session3
Online
Session3
Session3
Perth N/A
Session3
Sydney N/A
Session3
Pre-requisites ACCT6001 - Company and Financial Reporting
Anti-requisites ACC00704 Auditing and Accounting Practice
Enrolment information This is an advanced unit. It is highly recommended that students take this unit after having completed an introductory Finance or Economics unit.
ACCT6005 Taxation Law and Practice
Session3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session3
Online
Session3
Session3
Perth N/A
Session3
Sydney N/A
Session3
Enrolment information It is strongly recommended that you have an ability to read and navigate pieces of legislation applicable to Australian Law.

Year 3, Session 1

BUSN7003 Industry Research Project
Session1,2,3
Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Melbourne N/A
Session1,2,3
Online
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Perth N/A
Session1,2,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,2,3
Pre-requisites 72 credit points from masters level (AQF 9)
Enrolment information Noting the focus on advanced, independent learning required by this unit, students are advised to enrol in the subject towards the final stage of their course.
1 unit from: Electives

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes
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

ACCT5001 Business Accounting
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session1,3
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
Perth N/A
Session1,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,3
Anti-requisites ACC00700 Basic Business Accounting
ECON5001 Economics and Quantitative Analysis
Session3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session3
Online
Session3
Session3
Perth N/A
Session3
Sydney N/A
Session3
BUSN5003 Management Communication
Session1,2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Melbourne N/A
Session1,2,3
Online
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Perth N/A
Session1,2,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,2,3

Year 2, Session 1

ACCT6001 Company and Financial Reporting
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2
Session1,2
Perth N/A
Session1,2
Sydney
Session1
Session1,2
Pre-requisites ACC00712 Business Accounting
Anti-requisites ACC00701 Accounting for Group Entities ACC00703 Business Financial Accounting
ACCT6004 Finance
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Melbourne N/A
Session1,3
Online
Session1
Session1
Perth N/A
Session1,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,3
Anti-requisites FIN00706 Financial Management in Business
Enrolment information This unit is taught on the assumption that students have basic knowledge of accounting as included in ACCT5002 - Accounting for Managers or equivalent.
ISYS5004 Accounting Information Systems and Processes
Session1
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Perth N/A
Session1
Sydney N/A
Session1

Year 2, Session 2

LEGL5001 Legal Studies
Session2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
ACCT6002 Managerial Accounting
Session2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
Pre-requisites ACCT5001 - Business Accounting

Year 2, Session 3

ACCT6003 Professional Auditing
Session3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session3
Online
Session3
Session3
Perth N/A
Session3
Sydney N/A
Session3
Pre-requisites ACCT6001 - Company and Financial Reporting
Anti-requisites ACC00704 Auditing and Accounting Practice
Enrolment information This is an advanced unit. It is highly recommended that students take this unit after having completed an introductory Finance or Economics unit.
ACCT6005 Taxation Law and Practice
Session3
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session3
Online
Session3
Session3
Perth N/A
Session3
Sydney N/A
Session3
Enrolment information It is strongly recommended that you have an ability to read and navigate pieces of legislation applicable to Australian Law.

Year 3, Session 1

BUSN7003 Industry Research Project
Session1,2,3
Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Melbourne N/A
Session1,2,3
Online
Session1,2,3
Session1,2,3
Perth N/A
Session1,2,3
Sydney N/A
Session1,2,3
Pre-requisites 72 credit points from masters level (AQF 9)
Enrolment information Noting the focus on advanced, independent learning required by this unit, students are advised to enrol in the subject towards the final stage of their course.
1 unit from: Electives

Year 3, Session 2

ACCT6015 Corporate Governance
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
1 unit from: Electives
ACCT6006 Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory
Session2
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Perth N/A
Session2
Sydney N/A
Session2
Pre-requisites ACCT6001 - Company and Financial Reporting

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units
ACCT5001 Business Accounting
ACCT6001 Company and Financial Reporting
ACCT6002 Managerial Accounting
ACCT6004 Finance
ISYS5004 Accounting Information Systems and Processes
ACCT6006 Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory
ECON5001 Economics and Quantitative Analysis
LEGL5001 Legal Studies
ACCT6003 Professional Auditing
ACCT6005 Taxation Law and Practice
ACCT6015 Corporate Governance
BUSN7003 Industry Research Project Note 1
BUSN5003 Management Communication

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
MRKT6001 Marketing
BUSN6001 Global Business
PROJ5001 Project Management
BUSN7004 Qualitative Research Methods
BUSN7005 Quantitative Research Methods
MGMT6002 The Positive Leader
BUSN6004 Managing Information Systems
MGMT5002 Organisational Behaviour
BUSN5006 Entrepreneurship
BUSN6005 Strategy and Case Analysis
BUSN5002 Business Professional Development
BUSN6007 Business Professional Practice