University of New South Wales
Master of Professional Accounting
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 20 months
- Course Type: Master's
Build professional accounting expertise alongside broader business knowledge, developing the financial, analytical and regulatory capabilities needed to pursue accounting careers and pathways towards recognised professional qualifications.
Course overview
Providing a pathway into professional accounting for graduates with little or no previous accounting study, UNSW's Master of Professional Accounting develops specialist accounting expertise alongside broader business knowledge. The program prepares students to pursue careers in accounting and financial management while developing the professional capabilities required to work across contemporary business environments.
Throughout the degree, you'll learn to interpret financial information, understand corporate and regulatory responsibilities and apply accounting principles to organisational decision-making. You'll also explore how accounting connects with finance, economics, information systems and law, strengthening your ability to consider financial issues within their broader commercial and regulatory context.
Delivered through face-to-face and blended study at UNSW's Kensington campus, the program supports recognised professional pathways through CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and is accredited by ACCA. Students can also access UNSW Business School's Career Accelerator opportunities, including professional development, networking, mentoring and internships.
Key facts
8th February, 2027
24th May, 2027
6th September, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of Professional Accounting, you must successfully complete units totalling 72 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.
- Auditing and Assurance Services
- Financial Accounting
- Sustainable Management Accounting
- Corporate Accounting and Regulation
- Advanced Financial Reporting
- Management Accounting and Business Analysis
- Introductory Economics and Data Analysis for Business Professionals
- Corporate Finance
- Accounting Information Systems
- Business and Company Law
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Applicants must have a recognised bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) with a credit average as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
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.
Contact the university or visit its website for more 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
Learning outcomes
- Business knowledge: Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and global business.
- Problem 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.
- Teamwork: Students will interact and collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose or fulfil a common business project, and reflect critically on the process and the outcomes.
- 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 environments.
- 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.
Career outcomes
Potential careers:
- Auditor
- Business risk manager
- Chief financial officer
- Financial accountant
- Financial analyst
- Insolvency and reconstruction specialist
- Management consultant
- Treasurer
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $42,000 (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 program.