Curtin University

Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 6 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Build your foundational knowledge and skills to enter the accounting field.

Course overview

This qualification will help you step into accounting for the first time. It covers an introductory understanding of accounting and the budget process. You’ll study various specialised topics, including corporate law, cost behaviour, financial accounting, job order costing systems, management accounting, planning and special decision-making issues. You’ll also learn typical accounting applications such as billing, general ledger, inventory, purchasing and sales. You can progress to the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting when you finish this course.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
Course Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
6 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $4,175.5
More Information
The estimated per units fees are calculated based on the annual average first year fee. It applies to a full time study load of 100 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).
Intake
Units
4
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP

What you will study

To complete the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting, you must complete 100 credit points:

  • Intermediate Management Accounting 
  • Intermediate Financial Accounting
  • Fundamentals of Business and Corporate Law
  • Financial Principles and Analysis

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the course, you must have:

  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a field of study other than accounting recognised at a level equal to or greater than AQF Level 7.
  • A recognised four-year overseas qualification in Accounting, as determined by the School of Accounting.
  • Proof of appropriate, relevant three to five years of work experience, as determined by the School of Accounting.

Final acceptance will be subject to a formal interview.

Applicants must also meet Curtin's English language proficiency requirements.

English language requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined below.

  • IELTS - Writing 6.0
  • Speaking 6.0
  • Reading 6.0
  • Listening 6.0
  • Overall bans score 6.5

You may demonstrate English proficiency using other tests. Please get in touch with the university for complete details.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Graduates may pursue careers in roles such as:

  • Bookkeeper
  • Account Clerk

  • Industries

  • Accounting
  • Finance and Investment
  • Government
  • Law
  • Resources and Renewables

Learning outcomes

  • Apply accounting, economics, information systems, statistics, law and social sciences principles related to reporting business activity.
  • Critically analyse issues in the collection, recording and reporting of economic activity to enable the development of accounting information systems, providing cost-effective decision-making and valuable information.
  • Locate, extract and critically appraise decision-useful information related to economic activity from sources within an organisation and external sources.
  • Relate the significance of commercial events and issues to the business and investing community using effectively structured financial communication and appropriate language.
  • Use electronic resources to effectively interrogate databases, analyse data, collect information and communicate.
  • Take responsibility for self-directed learning and developing a career-long attitude of continuing professional development.
  • Recognise the global nature of accounting by applying international financial reporting standards and appreciate the information requirements of a worldwide economic system.
  • Demonstrate an understanding that cultural practices and differences impact commercial practices and interpersonal relations.
  • Apply an ethical approach to analysing and reporting commercial activities, advising clients, demonstrating leadership and the ability to delegate tasks to ensure timely outcomes, working independently and in teams to achieve agreed outcomes.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated 2025 first-year fee: $16,702 (domestic fee-paying).

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on first-year full-time study load of 100 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).

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; and
  • 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.