University of Canberra
Master of Professional Accounting
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Develop professional and technical accounting knowledge through advanced study in accounting, finance, taxation, auditing, business law and related areas.
Course overview
The University of Canberra's Master of Professional Accounting is a two-year, 48-credit-point postgraduate course delivered on campus at Bruce. It is designed for graduates from non-accounting backgrounds and internationally educated accountants seeking further study in Australian professional accounting.
Develop knowledge across accounting systems and practices, business finance, business law, economics, management accounting, corporate accounting, taxation, auditing and accounting decision support systems. Studies also develop technical, analytical and ethical capabilities relevant to professional accounting practice.
The course comprises 39 credit points of required study and 9 credit points of restricted-choice study. Work-integrated learning is incorporated through activities such as real-world research projects, case studies and industry briefs, with restricted choices including a research project, industry project or internship.
The course is accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia. Published career outcomes include chief financial officer, tax manager, finance director, senior financial analyst, compliance manager, accounting manager, forensic accountant, auditor and budget analyst.
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
9th August, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of Professional Accounting, you must complete 48 credit points or 16 units. Each unit is valued at three credit points.
Students must pass 39 credit points as follows:
- Accounting Systems and Practices
- Business Finance
- Business Law
- Economics for Managers
- Management Accounting
- Research Methods
- Corporate Accounting
- Law of Business Associations
- Quantitative Methods in Commerce
- Revenue Law
- Accounting and Decision Support Systems
- Auditing and Assurance
- Advanced Issues in Accounting
Entry requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent as approved by the University. There are no work experience requirements. Students who have undertaken an undergraduate degree with a major in accounting at an Australian institution are ineligible for entry to the degree.
English language requirements
Applicants must have an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previous studies or professional work experience that is relevant to your intended field of study at UC, you can gain credit towards your degree. This reduces the number of units you must take to complete your course, meaning you could finish your studies sooner and save money too.
For more information, please get in touch with the university or visit its website.
Outcomes
- Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of accounting and related disciplines required to practice as an accountant
- Exercise initiative and professional judgement to produce well developed advice and arguments in solving financial problems
- Display professional communication skills and the ability to transmit knowledge, skills and ideas using a variety of communication styles, as would be expected by audiences from technical or non-technical backgrounds
- Argue and justify ethical, socially responsible and sustainable business decisions in a complex business environment demonstrating high levels of personal autonomy and accountability
- Evaluate and explain accounting and financial transactions to a broad range of stakeholders, including managers, clients, regulators, etc, and navigate in an increasingly complex financial, legal, economic and global business environment including recent developments in these fields
- Critically analyse, interpret and synthesise complex financial and related information, problems, concepts or theories
Fees and CSP
Average full-course fee in 2027: From $32,768 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The average full-course fee is calculated based on a full-time study load of 48 credit points (16 units).
Student fees 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.
You may also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee.
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 universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion 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 the unit you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.