University of Canberra
Master of Professional Accounting
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Build professional accounting expertise across financial reporting, taxation, auditing and business finance, while developing analytical, ethical and decision-making skills for contemporary accounting practice.
Course overview
The University of Canberra’s Master of Professional Accounting is designed for graduates from non-accounting backgrounds seeking to develop professional accounting knowledge and skills. You’ll build an understanding of accounting practice while developing the analytical and technical capabilities needed to navigate complex financial and business environments.
Explore financial and management accounting, auditing, taxation, business law, finance and economics alongside quantitative methods and accounting information systems. You’ll also develop research, critical thinking and professional communication skills, with an emphasis on ethical, socially responsible and informed financial decision-making.
The 48-credit-point course includes 39 credit points of required study and 9 credit points of restricted-choice study. You’ll select further study in areas such as risk management, entrepreneurship, government finance or advanced taxation, as well as completing a research project, industry project or internship option. Work-integrated learning also connects your studies with real-world accounting problems, case studies and industry briefs.
Study at Bruce, Canberra, with a standard duration of two years full-time or the part-time equivalent. The course is professionally accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia, providing an accredited academic pathway towards further professional accounting study and membership requirements.
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.