Upgrade your accounting skills and profit.
The beauty of this program at USC is that you earn three prized professional memberships:
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
The beauty of this program at USC is that you earn three prized professional memberships:
- Associate member of CPA Australia
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants
- The Institute of Public Accountants
The MPA opens many doors for you to work in senior management roles and build yourself a top notch career. You will qualify to work in roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Senior Business Strategist, a Chartered Accountant, or as a key professional in the fast growing wealth management sector.
This program covers the latest business and accounting issues. It’s a comprehensive program that delivers accounting fundamentals, informatics, managerial finance, financial reporting, corporate reporting, issues in auditing practice, tax law and practice, the principles of economics and commercial law, and a research project.
Professional recognition
Graduates of the Master of Professional Accounting program will meet the educational requirements for admission as an associate member of CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, and the Institute of Public Accountants. To gain full membership, graduates must complete the requirements of the chosen professional body’s qualification program. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm with the three Australian accounting bodies (CPA, ICAA and IPA) whether any credit granted will impact on their eligibility for professional association membership.
Admission requirements
Entry to the Master of Professional Accounting program will normally require:
- An AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree (or equivalent)
- Students who have completed a Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or equivalent in the same discipline may be eligible to receive credit of up to 48 units (4 courses)
Program structure
Program Structure
Required courses (14)
ACC506 Accounting Fundamentals
ACC508 Informatics and Financial Applications
ACC510 Financial Reporting
ACC511 Managerial Finance
ACC520 Legal Regulation of Business Structures
ACC521 Corporate Reporting
ACC610 Strategic Management Accounting
ACC611 Taxation Law and Practice
ACC620 Contemporary Accounting Issues
ACC621 Issues in Auditing Practice
BUS501 Business Research and Statistics
BUS502 Principles of Economics for Accountants
BUS503 Principles of Commercial Law
PLUS select 1 course from:
MGT723 Research Project
MGT726 Managerial Project
Electives (2)
Select 2 electives from:
ACC701 Accounting Fundamentals
BUS702 Economics for Managers
BUS703 Evidenced Based Decision Making
BUS704 Finance and Accounting for Managers
BUS705 Innovation Management and Professional Development
BUS706 International Business Law and Ethics
BUS707 Managing Across Global Cultures
BUS708 International Trade and Finance
BUS710 Digital Branding
INF701 Business Transformation through Technology and Artificial Intelligence
MGT701 Leading and Managing Organisations
MGT702 Understanding and Managing Organisational Behaviour
MGT703 Strategy, Governance and Ethics
MGT704 Sustainable International Business Management
MGT711 Entrepreneurship and Venture Planning
MGT712 Corporate Governance, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
MKG701 Marketing in a Global Environment
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 192
Recommended study sequences
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement (with reduced volume of learning by 48 units)
- Study Plan - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement (with reduced volume of learning by 48 units)
- (South Bank) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (South Bank) Semester 2 commencement (July)
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Online study mode not available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression