Master of Professional Accounting (Extension)

Program Overview

The Master of Professional Accounting (Extension) equips graduates with advanced accounting knowledge and skills for professional practice. It meets the requirements for CPA Australia and CAANZ recognition, providing graduates with enhanced employment and promotion opportunities. The program offers a mix of core and elective subjects, including forensic accounting, international accounting, and ethics and governance, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the accounting profession.

Program Outline

The Master of Professional Accounting (Extension) provides graduates with the necessary skills, knowledge, and expertise for a career in professional accounting practice, and meets the requirements for professional recognition, including CPA Australia (CPAA) and Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). The Extension course delves deeper into accounting practice with seven electives to choose from, including forensic accounting, international accounting, and ethics and governance. The accounting subjects are highly practical and focused on industry needs. The professional recognition of the course provides students with qualifications that enhance both their employment and promotion opportunities. It is recognized for educational membership entry into professional accounting bodies.

Objectives:

• Provide local and international graduates with the requisite knowledge in accounting and the role accounting plays in providing information to support business activities and managerial decision-making.
• Comprise a mix of accounting, finance, legal, communication, and economics subjects that collectively provide a range of business skills and knowledge that are essential for employment in today's dynamic business environment.

Content:

The course comprises 96 credit points, made up of 12 core subjects (totalling 72 credit points), plus four elective subjects (totalling 24 credit points).

Structure:

• The course may be completed in two years of full-time or four years of part-time study.
• Classes are offered over three teaching periods each year (Autumn, Spring, and Summer sessions).
Not all subjects are available in the Summer session.
• In most cases, subjects are offered on the basis of one three-hour lecture per week over a 13-week period; however, certain subjects may be delivered in intensive mode and completed over a shorter time period.

Modules:

• Core Subjects:
• Economics for Management
• Accounting for Managerial Decisions
• Financial Management
• Contemporary Business Law
• Quantitative Skills in Accounting and Finance
• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Cost Management and Analysis
• Corporate Accounting
• Management Planning and Control
• Auditing and Assurance Services
• Introduction to Taxation Law
• Elective Subjects:
• Business Analysis and Valuation
• Forensic Accounting
• International Accounting
• Ethics and Governance
• Other electives as approved by the program director

Career Paths:

Career options include accounting and finance roles in commercial firms, professional accounting and advisory firms, and management-level positions in industry or government, as well as not-for-profit organizations. With the CPAA and CAANZ qualifications being recognized internationally, the prospect for overseas employment is also enhanced.