Charles Darwin University
Master of Professional Accounting
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
- Course Type: Master's
Prepare for professional accounting practice through flexible online postgraduate study, building the technical, analytical and decision-making skills required for contemporary accounting and financial leadership.
Course overview
The Master of Professional Accounting from Charles Darwin University is a postgraduate qualification designed for graduates seeking to become certified practising or chartered accountants. Delivered online over 1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time, the course develops the technical, conceptual and analytical knowledge required for contemporary accounting practice.
The curriculum integrates advanced study across financial and management accounting, auditing, taxation, finance, business and corporate law, accounting theory and information systems. Throughout the course, you will develop the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise accounting principles, methods and techniques while strengthening the professional capabilities required for effective management, accountability, control and financial decision-making.
On successful completion, you will graduate with the Master of Professional Accounting. The qualification meets the academic requirements for CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and may also provide eligibility for membership of other overseas professional accounting bodies. Graduates may pursue careers as financial accountants, management accountants, financial auditors, tax auditors or preparers, business or financial analysts, or across business management in organisations of all sizes.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
1st March, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of Professional Accounting, you must successfully complete units totalling 120 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 10 credit points.
- Accounting Principles
- Management Accounting
- Corporate Accounting
- Auditing
- Accounting Theory
- Accounting Information Systems
- Economics of Sustainability
- Aspects of Corporate Finance
- Australian Tax Law
- Corporate Law
- Commercial Law
- Business Statistics
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course must meet all of the following:
- Successful completion of a recognised bachelor's degree, graduate diploma, master's degree or equivalent international qualification.
Applicants who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Accounting Studies are also eligible for entry.
Applicants who have previously completed an accounting degree within Australia are not eligible to apply.
English language requirements
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing one of the following:
- Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language
- Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language. If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
- Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points).
- Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia.
- Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
- Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores.
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Completing a Master of Professional Accounting can lead to a wide range of career opportunities in small, medium and large organisations. As a graduate, you may become a
- Financial accountant
- Management accountant
- Financial auditor
- Tax auditor/preparer
- Business/financial analyst.
Work in a large multinational company or 'Big Four' accounting firm, run your own businesses, work in a small local accounting firm or work in other areas of business management.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated total fee in 2026: $20,436 (Commonwealth Supported Places).
Estimated total fee in 2026: $44,364 (domestic full-fee paying place).
Estimated fees are determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
- Depending on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.