Overview
Develop state-of-the-art accounting knowledge to advance your career, with the Master of Professional Accounting at Victoria University.
This postgraduate qualification in accounting offers specialist knowledge and skills and a deep understanding of sustainability issues and global accounting trends.
During your study, you will undertake these specialist activities to graduate well-prepared for a senior accounting position:
- execute case studies and business plans
- assess and complete a substantial research project or evidence-based capstone activity
- adapt cross-disciplinary knowledge to evaluate business decisions with creativity
- develop specialist knowledge in accounting, economics and finance.
Upon completion of this course, you will be eligible to apply for accreditation with CPA Australia and/or the Chartered Accountants – Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).
Commonwealth Supported Places in 2023
Fees are heavily subsidised and HECS-HELP loans available for eligible students in 2023. Apply now or register your interest - there's never been a better time to study!
Supportive staff
Relationships between our teaching staff and students focus on mutual respect. We acknowledge you as a professional who wants to extend your business skills and undertake challenges. Our teaching staff have an ‘open door’ policy and encourage you to approach them for additional assistance whenever necessary.
Industry connections
Everything you learn at VU has direct links to the real world. This course will give you practical experience, so you will be job-ready when you graduate.
Our strong industry partnerships help inform our curriculum and provide opportunities for you to create valuable connections in the business world.
We also organise work expos, where you can network with potential employers and discover first-hand the opportunities available to business graduates.
Fast-track your degree
If you have an Australian bachelor degree in accounting (or similar discipline), you may be eligible for an exemption of 48 credit points of study.
If you receive 48 credit points for previous study, you may be able to qualify with a masters in 1.5 years, enabling you to launch your professional accounting career sooner.
Study in convenient 8-week blocks
This course is delivered in an eight-week mode, using the VU Block Model, which means you study two units (subjects) at a time over eight weeks (or one unit at a time over eight weeks for part-time study), rather than juggling several units at once. And with its focused timetables and smaller, collaborative classes, VU’s Block Model gives you more time to connect with your peers, lecturers and industry partners, helping you to build strong professional networks.
The VU Block Model has improved our student results and engagement, and has won multiple international awards for innovation and excellence.
Careers in accounting
Employment opportunities for accountants are plentiful and span various roles in different industry settings, including public accounting practice, commercial and government organisations.
This course could lead to one of the following careers:
- auditor
- general accountant
- project accountant
- systems accountant
- taxation accountant
- management accountant.
Accreditation
This course is CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) accredited.
Course structure
To attain the Master of Accounting, students will be required to complete 192 credit points consisting of:
-
48 credit points college core units
-
96 credit points professional core units
-
12 credit points BMO5501 Business Ethics and Sustainability; and,
-
12 credit points BMO7006 Applied Business Project (Capstone); and,
- 24 credit points elective units. Please check any pre-requisite requirements prior to enrolling.
Course structure and units
Business Core Units
-
- Unit code
- BAO6504
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BEO6000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BEO6600
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BMO6506
- Credits
- 12
Professional Core Units
-
- Unit code
- BAO5522
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO5524
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO5525
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO5534
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO5535
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO5543
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLO5539
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLO5540
- Credits
- 12
Core Units
-
- Unit code
- BMO5501
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BMO7006
- Credits
- 12
24 credit points elective units
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Critically reflect upon theoretical approaches and analyse their application to achieve effective accounting practice; | ||
| 2. | Justify and interpret theoretical propositions and related bodies of knowledge to critically evaluate the resolution of business problems and make recommendations/recommend actions in authentic/contemporary business settings; | ||
| 3. | Adapt cross disciplinary knowledge to evaluate business decisions with creativity for emerging professional accounting contexts; | ||
| 4. | Exhibit accountability in autonomous and collaborative judgements and innovative strategic thinking in response to emerging business/ accounting challenges in complex contexts; | ||
| 5. | Formulate, implement and evaluate industry-specific investigations to resolve complex professional problems and inform management decision making as a reflective practitioner; | ||
| 6. | Articulate recommendations and conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences including multi-disciplinary teams, diverse cultural communities and business and other professional organisations; | ||
| 7. | Exemplify initiative and inspirational leadership in a contemporary work environment, acting consistently, ethically and socially responsibly to achieve sustainable economic and social goals; and, | ||
| 8. | Evaluate and execute an evidence-based research project as a capstone activity informing effective accounting practice to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at abstract and practical levels. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
OR
Completion of an Australian Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) in a similar discipline
PLUS
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)
Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Pathways from other institutions
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
ECA College, Australia
You will be credited for up to 36 credit points of study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Advanced standing: Applicants with an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent), or higher, in a similar discipline may be eligible for an exemption of 48 credit points of study.
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
How to apply
We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.
Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.
If you have questions, please get in touch:
- Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
- Online: enquiry form
Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.
VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.
