Depending on unit availabilities, previous study or work experience, students may be able to complete their degree in a shorter duration than indicated.
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Accountants are vital to the operation and success of businesses and organisations at all levels and, not surprisingly, there is high demand for skilled accountants worldwide.
This CPA Australia and CA ANZ accredited course is designed for business professionals who are pursuing a career change as an accountant. It will also suit those already in the industry who need a recognised accounting qualification.
You'll become adept in complex accounting and business issues, and grow your expertise in financial management, accounting information systems, financial reporting, auditing, corporate governance and contemporary accounting standards and research.
Graduates are equipped to work in business, government and not-for-profit organisations in accounting, financial services and management positions. Advanced standing may apply to students who have completed relevant undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Accountants are vital to the operation and success of businesses and organisations at all levels and, not surprisingly, there is high demand for skilled accountants worldwide.
This CPA Australia and CA ANZ accredited course is designed for business professionals who are pursuing a career change as an accountant. It will also suit those already in the industry who need a recognised accounting qualification.
You'll become adept in complex accounting and business issues, and grow your expertise in financial management, accounting information systems, financial reporting, auditing, corporate governance and contemporary accounting standards and research.
Graduates are equipped to work in business, government and not-for-profit organisations in accounting, financial services and management positions. Advanced standing may apply to students who have completed relevant undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 6.5 |
The MPA comprises a core sequence of units that meet the professional accounting educational requirements and includes study in the following areas: business accounting, accounting information systems, financial reporting, management accounting, economics, quantitative analysis, company and commercial law, finance, accounting, theory and research.
Students also study advanced topics in accounting such as taxation law and practice, auditing and assurance and corporate governance. Management skills are also honed through study of communications and a number of electives. A key feature of the MPA program is the opportunity to undertake a double-weighted industry research project that students can apply to their current or future workplace.
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 |
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 | $30,400 ($3,800 per unit) | 078675A |
| Melbourne | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 | $34,400 ($4,300 per unit) | 081533M |
| Perth | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 | $34,400 ($4,300 per unit) | 081533M |
| Sydney | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 | $34,400 ($4,300 per unit) | 081533M |
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
To be eligible to receive the Master of Professional Accounting students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Accounting after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising 8 core units.
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Accounting after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Core Units | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT5001 | Business Accounting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6001 | Company and Financial Reporting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6002 | Managerial Accounting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6004 | Finance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ISYS5004 | Accounting Information Systems and Processes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6006 | Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LEGL5001 | Legal Studies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6003 | Professional Auditing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6005 | Taxation Law and Practice | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6015 | Corporate Governance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BUSN7003 | Industry Research Project | Note 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BUSN5003 | Management Communication | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ECON5003 | Economics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT5001 | Business Analytics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT5001 | Business Accounting | Term1,4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BUSN5003 | Management Communication | Term1,4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LEGL5001 | Legal Studies | Term2,5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ECON5003 | Economics | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT5001 | Business Analytics | Term1,4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6001 | Company and Financial Reporting | Term2,5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ISYS5004 | Accounting Information Systems and Processes | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6002 | Managerial Accounting | Term4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Second Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6005 | Taxation Law and Practice | Term5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6006 | Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory | Term3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6015 | Corporate Governance | Term2,5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6004 | Finance | Term1,4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACCT6003 | Professional Auditing | Term5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elective | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BUSN7003 | Industry Research Project | Dual Term2,4 | Note 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note 1: | Double-weighted unit |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUSN6001 | Global Business | ||||
| PROJ5001 | Project Management | ||||
| BUSN7004 | Qualitative Research Methods | ||||
| BUSN7005 | Quantitative Research Methods | ||||
| MGMT6002 | The Positive Leader | ||||
| BUSN6004 | Managing Information Systems | ||||
| MGMT5002 | Organisational Behaviour | ||||
| BUSN5006 | Entrepreneurship | ||||
| BUSN6005 | Strategy and Case Analysis | ||||
| BUSN5002 | Business Professional Development | ||||
| MRKT6002 | Digital Marketing | ||||
| BUSN6007 | Business Professional Practice | ||||
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Develop and create effective solutions to complex problems from a discipline area. Critically evaluate, analyse and synthesise a complex issue or theory from a discipline area to arrive at a conclusion/decision with justification. |
Develop and create effective solutions to complex problems from a discipline area. |
Critically evaluate challenging interpersonal, organisational and governance issues in terms of their ethical implications. |
Apply advanced discipline knowledge and skills in specialised management areas considering cultural and global perspectives. Critically apply research principles and methods to complex management situations. |
Critically evaluate, analyse and synthesise a complex issue or theory from a discipline area to arrive at a conclusion/decision with justification. Critically reflect on participation and performance individually and in teams |
Prepare and deliver advanced written and oral communications for complex issues in a business or public context. Critically reflect on participation and performance individually and in teams |
Apply advanced discipline knowledge and skills in specialised management areas considering cultural and global perspectives. |
The course incorporates progressive assessment and examinations. Students are assessed on the basis of written and oral assignments reflecting authentic work tasks and contemporary topics. These assignments come in a range of formats designed to assist knowledge and skills development over the duration of the course. Formats include business reports, case studies, discussion board posts, presentations, quizzes, and research plans and studies.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Lectures may be streamed live or pre-recorded; either way students can download a recording at their convenience.
Each week, students progress their learning by following activities, readings and case studies laid out, step-by-step, in a website for each unit. As they move through the learning outcomes, they can discuss their progress in online forums and ask questions of their peers, lecturer or tutor.
The global accounting profession has high employment demand, offering graduates the opportunity to seek employment in a range of industries in Australia and abroad.
Graduates are equipped to work in business, government and not-for-profit organisations in accounting, financial services and management positions. Management roles and activities undertaken by graduates include developing financial plans, preparing and certifying financial reports, conducting audits, advising company directors, shareholders and clients.
The Master of Professional Accounting fulfils the academic pre-requisites for registration as a professional accountant in Australia and is accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).
Graduates may also be eligible to apply for admission to the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.
Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.
Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.