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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

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    MPA (16 unit)

  • Course code

    1207045

  • Credit points

    192

  • Equivalent units

    16

  • Indicative Fee

    Fee paying

Overview

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) 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.

Students who have completed a relevant Bachelor degree may receive four units of advanced standing towards the Masters degree.

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.

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

Students also study advanced topics in accounting such as taxation law and practice, auditing and assurance, corporate governance and project management. A key feature of the MPA program is the opportunity to undertake a double-weighted industry research project that can be applied to your own company or organisation.

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

Career Outcomes

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).

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.

Entry requirements

  1. Applicants for admission to candidature in the Master of Professional Accounting may be selected where they can demonstrate professional standing approved by the School Board to be equivalent to the requirements of Rule 2, Section 3.
  2. With reference to Schedule B in Rule 2, Section 1 the level of attainment should be at least equivalent to IELTS 6.5.

Course requirements

  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 from Part C
  2. To be eligible for the Master of Professional Accounting a candidate who has completed a Bachelor Degree with a major in Accounting or equivalent must complete no less than twelve (12) units (144 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units in Part B plus any six (6) units from Part C
  3. To be eligible for the Master of Professional Accounting a candidate who has completed a Bachelor Honours Degree in Accounting with a minimum of second class honours division two or equivalent must complete no less than eight (8) units (96 credit points) comprising:
    1. four (4) units listed in Part B excluding MNG93003 Industry Research Project plus any four (4) units from Part C
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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 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 Level of learning 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
ACC00712 -  Business Accounting Introductory
ACC00716 -  Finance Introductory
ACC00718 -  Accounting Information Systems and Processes Intermediate
Year 1, Session 2
ACC00713 -  Company and Financial Reporting Intermediate
LAW00720 -  Legal Studies Introductory
ACC03043 -  Corporate Governance Advanced
Year 1, Session 3
ACC00715 -  Professional Auditing Advanced
ECO82001 -  Economics and Quantitative Analysis Intermediate
MNG00785 -  Project Management Introductory
Year 2, Session 1
MNG93003 -  Industry Research Project Advanced Note 1
Plus One (1) unit from Part C
Year 2, Session 2
ACC00714 -  Managerial Accounting Intermediate
ACC03032 -  Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory Advanced
Year 2, Session 3
ACC00717 -  Taxation Law and Practice Intermediate
Plus One (1) unit from Part C

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A
ACC00712 Business Accounting Introductory
ACC00718 Accounting Information Systems and Processes Intermediate
ECO82001 Economics and Quantitative Analysis Intermediate
LAW00720 Legal Studies Introductory
ACC00713 Company and Financial Reporting Intermediate
ACC00714 Managerial Accounting Intermediate
ACC00716 Finance Introductory
ACC03032 Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory Advanced

Part B
ACC00715 Professional Auditing Advanced
ACC00717 Taxation Law and Practice Intermediate
ACC03043 Corporate Governance Advanced
MNG00785 Project Management Introductory
MNG93003 Industry Research Project Advanced Note 1

Part C
MNG00723 Global Business Intermediate
MNG91002 Entrepreneurship Introductory
MNG03217 The Positive Leader Introductory
MNG03218 Managing Information Systems Advanced
MNG03048 Quantitative Research Methods Advanced
MNG03047 Qualitative Research Methods Advanced
MNG93002 Strategy and Case Analysis Advanced
MKT00720 Marketing Intermediate
MNG82001 Organisational Behaviour Introductory