University of New South Wales
Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Graduate Diploma
Develop a thorough understanding of financial reporting, ethics, leadership and strategy to round out your skill set.
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting is a graduate diploma that builds on your existing knowledge of the accounting profession. This one-year full-time course will prime you with the skills and knowledge to enter the CPA program to become a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA).
Through a combination of face-to-face and virtual learning, you’ll cover the key knowledge required for membership to Australia’s primary recognised accounting body.
Key facts
What you will study
To complete the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting, you must complete four core courses and two electives.
Core courses
Complete the following:
- Ethics and governance
- Financial reporting
- Strategic management accounting
- Global strategy and leadership
Electives
Complete two of the following:
- Financial risk management
- Digital finance
- Australian taxation
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
For entry into this program, you must have a qualifying undergraduate or postgraduate degree. You must also meet the foundation competency requirement for entry into the CPA program. You can contact CPA Australia to request an eligibility assessment, which you’ll then submit as part of your application.
Relevant fields
Examples of relevant fields include, but are not restricted to:
- Accounting
- Taxation
- Auditing
- Financial reporting
- Financial data analysis
English language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets our requirements. Contact the university for further information. If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application.
You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses.
- Prior study in the medium of English.
- Other qualifications.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
The Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting is ideal if you’re interested in a career as a:
- Professional accountant
- Chartered accountant
- Taxation specialist
- Auditor
- Forensic accountant
- Government advisor
- Risk management consultant
- ESG analyst
- Superannuation or investment advisor
Learning outcomes
- Business knowledge: Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in context of local and global business.
- Responsible business practice: Students will develop and be committed to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.
- Global and cultural competence: Students will be aware of business systems in the wider world and actively committed to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others, and will apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse community.
- Program solving: Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.
- Business communication: Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.
- Leadership development: Students will develop the capacity to take initiative, encourage forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative first-year full fee in 2025: $30,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than one Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit per year).
In addition to the program fee, students must also enrol and pay for CPA Australia exams and membership.
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.