Macquarie University
Master of Professional Accounting
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Develop advanced accounting expertise while progressing through an integrated CA or CPA pathway designed to connect academic study with professional certification and contemporary industry practice.
Course overview
A professional accounting career requires technical expertise, sound judgement and a strong understanding of financial and regulatory responsibilities. Macquarie University’s Master of Professional Accounting develops these capabilities while allowing you to align your studies with either the Chartered Accountants or Certified Practising Accountants professional pathway.
You will examine financial reporting, corporate accounting, management accounting, governance and contemporary issues before applying your knowledge through an accounting capstone. By choosing CA Studies or CPA Studies, you can undertake professional-program subjects alongside your degree, supported by academics with direct experience of the relevant programs and opportunities to engage with industry leaders and potential employers.
Delivered in person at Macquarie University’s North Ryde campus, the course can be completed in 1.5 or two years of full-time study, depending on your previous qualifications and relevant experience, with equivalent part-time study available. The course is accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia. Professional certification remains subject to the applicable requirements of the selected professional body.
Key facts
26th July, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of Professional Accounting, you must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 10 credit points.
Foundation units
Complete all of the following:
- Principles of Accounting
- Business and Company Law
- Principles of Finance
- Economics for Professionals
Core units
Complete all of the following:
- Managerial Accounting for Decision Making
- Financial Reporting Standards and Practice
- Corporate Accounting
- Current Issues in Accounting and Corporate Governance
- Accounting Capstone
Entry requirements
Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience or other recognised prior learning, you may be able to complete your degree in less time. Applicants can qualify for entry to this degree by fulfilling the admission points below:
2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time)
To be eligible for this pathway, applicants must:
- Hold an AQF level 7 bachelor’s degree or a recognised equivalent qualification.
1.5 years full-time (or equivalent part-time)
To be eligible for this pathway, applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Hold an AQF level 7 bachelor’s degree in a related field or a recognised equivalent qualification.
- Hold an AQF level 7 bachelor’s degree or a recognised equivalent qualification and have at least two years of relevant approved professional experience, professional certification or other recognised prior learning.
A related qualification must include study in accounting, business and corporations law, economics and finance. Relevant degrees may include accounting, actuarial studies, banking, business, commerce, economics, finance, hospitality management, insurance, international business, management, marketing, supply chain or valuation.
Relevant experience may include a professional role with financial responsibilities in accounting, finance, business or commerce that requires technical or specialist accounting-related capabilities.
Supporting documents
Applicants seeking admission based on relevant professional experience must provide:
- A current résumé.
- A workplace reference letter supporting their relevant experience.
English language requirements
Applicants must provide evidence of at least one of the following:
- A bachelor’s degree completed in a recognised English-speaking country.
- An IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no individual band score below 6.0, or an accepted equivalent.
- Other accepted evidence of English language proficiency.
Contact the university for further 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 reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Graduates may pursue careers in roles such as:
- Accountant
- Auditor
- Banking and Finance Manager
- Blockchain Specialist
- Business Intelligence Developer
- Business or Venture Analyst
- Consultant
- Corporate Governance Risk Officer
- Data Visualisation Analyst
- Finance Manager
- Forensic Accountant
- Insurance Broker
- Operations Manager
- Regulator
- Risk Management Specialist
- Stockbroker
- Superannuation Adviser or Analyst
- Sustainability Data Assurance and Reporting Director
- Taxation Specialist
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2027: $37,000 (Full-fee paying place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- 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.