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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

    Yes

  • 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

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Critically evaluate and synthesise complex problems or theories from a discipline area to arrive at solutions with justifications.

GA2: Creativity

Develop innovative solutions to complex problems from a discipline area or within cooperative environments to reflect on self and team participation and performance.

GA3: Ethical practice

Critically evaluate challenging interpersonal, organisational and governance issues with consideration of their ethical and responsible implications.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate and apply advanced discipline knowledge and skills in a specialised management area with a global perspective.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Apply and develop discipline knowledge and skills using integrated research principles and methods of critical thinking, problem solving and leadership skills to complex management situations.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Prepare and deliver advanced disciplinary advice, knowledge and ideas on complex issues orally or through written communication for a business or public context.

GA7: Cultural competence

Apply advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills in situations that require a high level of responsible behaviour in various cultural contexts.

As part of this course, students may choose to undertake a 150-hour internship (equivalent to one unit) in either a paid or unpaid position. This practical experience, combined with theoretical understanding, enhances the learning experience for students. 
 
The pre-requisite unit, BUSN5002 Business Professional Practice, assists students to identify suitable roles and prepare an interview-standard job application. Access to a database of potential employers and positions and ongoing support from the dedicated Work Integrated Learning team is provided.

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 Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 N/A N/A
Online Term 1 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.

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.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall Score6.5

Course requirements

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

  •  14 core units (180 credit points), and
  •  1 equivalent elective unit (12 credit points).

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of 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

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

ACCT5001 Business Accounting
Term1,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,4
Term1,4
Melbourne N/A
Term1,4
Online
Term1,4
Term1,4
Perth N/A
Term1
Sydney N/A
Term1,4
BUSN5003 Management Communication
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Melbourne N/A
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
Perth N/A
Term1,3
Sydney N/A
Term1,3
LEGL5001 Legal Studies
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,5
Term2,5
Melbourne N/A
Term2,5
Online
Term2,5
Term2,5
Perth N/A
Term2,5
Sydney N/A
Term2,5
ECON5003 Economics
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Melbourne
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Perth
Term3
Term3
Sydney
Term3
Term3
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Accounting after completing the above 4 (four) units.
ISYS5004 Accounting Information Systems and Processes
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Melbourne N/A
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Perth N/A
Term3
Sydney N/A
Term3
STAT5001 Business Analytics
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Melbourne
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Perth
Term1,3
Term1,3
Sydney
Term1,3
Term1,3
Anti-requisites ECON5001 - Economics and Quantitative Analysis
ACCT6002 Managerial Accounting
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Melbourne N/A
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Perth N/A
Term4
Sydney N/A
Term4
Pre-requisites ACCT5001 - Business Accounting
ACCT6001 Company and Financial Reporting
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,5
Term2,5
Melbourne N/A
Term2,5
Online
Term2,5
Term2,5
Perth N/A
Term2,5
Sydney N/A
Term2,5
Pre-requisites ACCT5001 - Business Accounting
Anti-requisites ACC00701 Accounting for Group Entities ACC00703 Business Financial Accounting
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Accounting after completing the above 8 (eight) units.
ACCT6005 Taxation Law and Practice
Summer Term
Term5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term5
Term5
Melbourne N/A
Summer Term
Term5
Online
Term5
Term5
Perth N/A
Summer Term
Term5
Sydney N/A
Summer Term
Term5
Enrolment information It is strongly recommended that you have an ability to read and navigate pieces of legislation applicable to Australian Law.

Second Year

Elective
ACCT6004 Finance
Term1,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,4
Term1,4
Melbourne N/A
Term1,4
Online
Term1
Term1
Perth N/A
Term1,4
Sydney N/A
Term1,4
ACCT6015 Corporate Governance
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,5
Term2,5
Melbourne N/A
Term2,5
Online
Term2,5
Term2,5
Perth N/A
Term2,5
Sydney N/A
Term2,5
ACCT6006 Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Melbourne N/A
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
Perth N/A
Term3
Sydney N/A
Term3
Pre-requisites ACCT6001 - Company and Financial Reporting
BUSN7003 Industry Research Project
Dual Term2,4
24 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Dual Term4
Dual Term4
Melbourne N/A
Dual Term2,4
Online
Dual Term2,4
Dual Term2,4
Perth N/A
Dual Term2,4
Sydney N/A
Dual Term2,4
Pre-requisites 72 credit points from masters level (AQF 9)
ACCT6003 Professional Auditing
Summer Term
Term5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term5
Term5
Melbourne N/A
Summer Term
Term5
Online
Term5
Term5
Perth N/A
Summer Term
Term5
Sydney N/A
Summer Term
Term5
Pre-requisites ACCT6001 - Company and Financial Reporting
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.

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units
ACCT5001 Business Accounting
BUSN5003 Management Communication
LEGL5001 Legal Studies
ECON5003 Economics
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Accounting after completing the above 4 (four) units
STAT5001 Business Analytics
ACCT6001 Company and Financial Reporting
ISYS5004 Accounting Information Systems and Processes
ACCT6002 Managerial Accounting
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Accounting after completing the above 8 (eight) units
ACCT6004 Finance
ACCT6006 Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory
ACCT6003 Professional Auditing
ACCT6005 Taxation Law and Practice
ACCT6015 Corporate Governance
BUSN7003 Industry Research Project Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
BUSN6001 Global Business
PROJ5001 Project Management
MGMT6002 The Positive Leader
BUSN6004 Managing Information Systems
MGMT5002 Organisational Behaviour
BUSN6005 Strategy and Case Analysis
BUSN5002 Business Professional Development
MRKT6002 Digital Marketing
BUSN6007 Business Internship