Program summary
Program title: Master of Professional Accounting
Award abbreviation: MPA
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 2 years minimum full-time, 6 years maximum part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Fee type 2010: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 12
USC program code: BU771
CRICOS code: 059557J
Highlights
- Build on your undergraduate study to pursue an accounting career
- Become an associate member of CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, and the National Institute of Accountants
- Apply for scholarships to help meet your study expenses
The MPA introduces you to business with a focus on accounting.
The program enables you to gain recognition by the two peak professional accounting bodies in Australia—CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.
You develop knowledge of concepts fundamental to successful business operation including economics, business law, research methods, and information and communications technology (ICT). You also gain specialised knowledge of accounting topics such as auditing, corporate and management accounting, taxation law and business finance.
Through a range of in-depth courses, you acquire a deeper understanding of the function of accounting in today’s complex business environment. You discover the basic principles of taxation law, and the nature, scope and operation of different business structures.
You learn a range of analytic tools for costing, decision-making, planning and control. You examine contemporary accounting and disclosure issues from inception and acquisition, to trading and termi-nation of a company. You gain a firm foundation in ICT, and explore the specific application of ICTs to accounting.
Delivery includes face-to-face lectures, tutorial participation and assessment.
Professional recognition
Graduates of the MPA program will meet the educational requirements for admission as an associate member of CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, and the National Institute of Accountants. To gain full membership, you must complete the requirements of the chosen professional body’s qualification program.
Admission requirements
Entry to the Master of Professional Accounting program will normally require:
(a) a non-accounting major, undergraduate degree from an Australian university
or
(b) an undergraduate degree from a recognised non-Australian university
and
(b) English requirement:
- IELTS - 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all subtests, or
- TOEFL - 575 with TWE of 5 (paper-based test) or 230 (computer-based test), or
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English - Level A Pass, or
- Previous degree completed in English.
Credit policy
As the Master of Professional Accounting is a graduate conversion program, credit may be awarded for previous undergraduate study according to the following policy. No credit for undergraduate study will be awarded toward any other Faculty of Business postgraduate program.
Credit toward the Master of Professional Accounting may be granted for previous undergraduate study up to a maximum of 4 courses on the grounds that the previous study includes courses deemed equivalent to any of the following University of the Sunshine Coast courses:
BUS501 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
BUS502 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
BUS503 Economics for Business
ACC506 Business Law and Ethics
ACC508 Accounting Fundamentals
It is the responsibility of the student to confirm with the three Australian accounting bodies (CPA, ICAA and NIA) whether any advanced standing granted will impact on their eligibility for professional association membership.
Program structure Semester 1 intake
12 required courses:
Year 1, Semester 1
ACC506 Informatics and Financial Applications
BUS502 Accounting Fundamentals
BUS503 Economics for Business
Year 1, Semester 2
ACC512 Business Law and Ethics
BUS501 Corporate Accounting
ACC508 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
Year 2, Semester 1
ACC511 Informatics and Financial Applications
ACC610 Business Finance
ACC611 Management Accounting *
Year 2, Semester 2
ACC520 Taxation Law and Practice
ACC620 Law of Business Associations *
ACC621 Contemporary Accounting Issues *
Program structure mid-year intake
12 required courses:
Year 1, Semester 2
ACC506 Issues in Auditing Practice
BUS501 Accounting Fundamentals
ACC508 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
Year 1, Semester 1
ACC512 Informatics and Financial Applications
BUS502 Corporate Accounting
BUS503 Economics for Business
Year 2, Semester 2
ACC520 Business Law and Ethics
ACC620 Law of Business Associations *
ACC621 Contemporary Accounting Issues *
Year 2, Semester 1
ACC511 Issues in Auditing Practice
ACC610 Business Finance
ACC611 Management Accounting *
* Prerequisites apply
Scholarships
Candidates wishing to apply for a scholarship must complete a GMAT. Scholarships are available at several levels, including a half waiver of full fees, and a quarter waiver of full fees. The level of scholarship awarded will depend on the achievements evidenced by prospective students as part of their admissions process. Further information will be provided on request for prospective students interested in applying for a scholarship.
For more information, visit scholarships for business masters programs.
Program requirements and notes
- Students are required to successfully complete the 12 required courses as specified in the Master of Professional Accounting program structure.
- Refer to the policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Enquiries
How to apply
International students:
USC International
Tel: +61 7 5430 1156
Fax: +61 7 5430 2836
Email: international@usc.edu.au
Australian and New Zealand students:
Faculty of Business
Tel: +61 7 5430 1221
Fax: +61 7 5430 1231
Email: businessfaculty@usc.edu.au