Master of Professional Accounting

Program Overview

Unitec's Master of Professional Accounting program is a 18-month conversion program designed for individuals with non-accounting backgrounds. It provides core accounting knowledge and skills, preparing graduates for careers in financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, and taxation. The program is delivered through a blended learning approach and includes an internship, research project, and career support services.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Objective: This program helps individuals pursue a new career in professional accounting, even with no prior experience.
It serves as a conversion program, equipping students with core knowledge and high-level capabilities to jumpstart their accounting careers.
• Description: The program is designed for individuals with undergraduate degrees (or equivalent work experience) from any discipline.
It focuses on building diverse skill sets, including analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, technical accounting, research, and communication skills. Graduates will be equipped to work in small to medium enterprises and larger organizations.
• Professional Accounting Bodies: Completing the program fulfills the academic requirements for provisional membership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA Australia).

Outline:

• Structure: The program is 18 months long, covering 180 credits over three semesters.
It consists of:
• 10 Compulsory Courses:
9 Level 8 courses (including an internship) and a Level 9 research project.
• Level 8 Courses:
• Financial Accounting
• Advanced Financial Accounting
• Strategic Management Accounting
• Taxation
• Audit and Assurance
• Accounting Information Systems
• Business Finance and Economics
• Business Law and the Business Environment
• Internship
• Level 9 Research Project:
Students choose a research area in accounting and complete an independent research project.
• Delivery: The program employs a blended learning approach, utilizing:
• Facilitated workshops
• Interactive lectures
• Online learning
• Presentations and discussions
• Self-directed learning

Teaching:

• Faculty: The program is facilitated by experienced lecturers with expertise in accounting.
• Teaching Methods:
• Case studies
• Scenario-based learning
• Applied research
• Collaboration
• Effective communication
• Business ethics

Careers:

• Career Options: Graduates can pursue careers in:
• Financial accounting
• Management accounting
• Auditing
• Taxation
• Assistant accountant
• Intermediate accountant
• Chartered Accountant (CA or CPA)
• Salary Expectations:
• Accounting technicians and assistant accountants: $58,000 to $81,000 (NZD) per year
• Accountants (non-CPA/CA qualified): $55,000 to $90,000 (NZD) per year
• Mid-level accountants (up to 4 years of experience): $76,000 to $106,000 (NZD) per year
• Senior accountants: $102,000 to $202,000 (NZD) per year
• Career Support: Unitec's Career Development Team assists students with:
• Employability skills
• Job search preparation
• Personal brand development
• One-on-one career guidance

Other:

• Start Dates: February or July
• Duration: Full-time (18 months) or part-time options available
• Internship: A 50-hour work-based internship is included in the program.
• Fees:
• Domestic/NZ students: $8,100 (NZD) per year
• International students: $32,867 (NZD) per 120 credits

Domestic/NZ students $8,100 (NZD) (Approximate fees only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Your final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study. International students $32,867 (NZD) per 120 credits Save up to $4,000 (NZD) with Unitec-Te Pūkenga International Learner Study Grant 2024.Terms and conditions apply.