Charles Darwin University
Master of Professional Accounting (Professional Practice)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Earn your MPA qualification through a 100% online program while gaining valuable professional experience.
Course overview
The professional practice MPA provides you with a unique opportunity to work in an organisation, gain valuable professional experience and earn an MPA qualification.
The course will equip you with contemporary knowledge and skills required for professional practice as a certified practising accountant (CPA) or chartered accountant (CA). The course will provide you with the technical and conceptual skills required of a competent accountant. It will develop your ability to explore, analyse and synthesise various accounting and related principles, methods and techniques. You will undertake research in your capstone unit of study that incorporates accounting theory and contemporary issues.
You can undertake a professional placement, applied research specialisation, or select electives supporting your career objectives. For your professional practice component, CDU provides training specific to working effectively in an organisation. You are then given a placement opportunity to work in an organisation for approximately 300 hours over eight to ten weeks. You may also organise your placement with a suitable organisation if you wish. The placement occurs in the last semester of study and allows you to apply the knowledge you have gained during your MPA studies.
Key facts
21st July, 2026
17th November, 2025
What you will study
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
Compulsory Core units totalling 120 credit points as detailed below.
- 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
Academic requirements
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
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all higher education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025, ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to have previous education from an English-speaking country or undertake one of the following English language tests and obtain the minimum standards listed below:
- CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40): A successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4.
- IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake): A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
- Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
- Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency: A minimum overall C1 grade valid for three years from the test date to commencement at CDU.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module: A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
- TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT): A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to get credit towards your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined in the university policy. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Completing a Master of Professional Accounting (Professional Practice) can lead to many 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, or work in a large multinational company or 'Big Four' accounting firm. You could also run your business, work in a small local accounting firm, or work in other areas of business management.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated first year fee in 2025: $28,888 (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 in accordance with:
- 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.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.