Master of Professional Accounting

The Master of Professional Accounting at Excelsia University College is a two-year coursework degree for people who want to move into accounting, or who already work in finance and need a formal qualification. You do not need an accounting background to get in. The degree starts with the core building blocks, financial accounting, management accounting, business law, corporate finance, economics, statistics and information systems, then moves into auditing, taxation and accounting theory. By the end you should be able to prepare and interpret financial statements, run a budget, work through an audit file and apply Australian tax law to real client situations.

How the degree is structured

Like most Australian master's degrees, this one is built on units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You enrol in a set number of units per semester or trimester, and you need to pass all of them to reach the credit points required for the award. The two-year full-time load usually works out to around 16 units, though the exact number and the sequence are set by the university. Many students take it part-time over three or four years while working. Assessment is a mix of exams, individual assignments, group projects and presentations. Some units include a capstone or applied project where you work through a realistic accounting scenario from start to finish, often using the same software you would meet in a firm. If you are coming from a non-accounting degree, expect the first semester to be heavy on foundations. If you already have an accounting major, you may be able to apply for credit for prior study, which shortens the degree. Credit is granted unit by unit, so ask about it before you enrol.

What you actually learn

The technical skills are the point: double-entry bookkeeping, preparing financial statements to Australian standards, management accounting for decision-making, auditing principles, tax compliance and business law. You also build the softer skills employers ask for, explaining numbers to people who do not read balance sheets, writing clear reports, working in a team and managing a deadline. Ethics and professional standards run through the later units, which matters because accounting is a profession where your signature carries weight. The university's Christian ethos shapes how some of that is taught, but the accounting content is the same as any other Australian master's.

Who it suits

This degree suits three groups: career changers with a bachelor's in something else who want to become an accountant; overseas-qualified accountants who need an Australian qualification; and people already working in bookkeeping, payroll or finance who want to move up. It is also a common pathway for international students who want to study in Australia and then apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after graduating. While you hold a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods, which many students use to get part-time experience in an accounting firm or finance team. English requirements for international applicants are typically IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall for a coursework master's, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, which is separate from the university's. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 106163M, check the official page for the current figure, intake dates and unit list before you apply.

• Assistant accountant or graduate accountant, in public practice firms, corporate finance teams and government departments across Australia.
• Audit associate, working on audit engagements for mid-tier and Big Four firms, or in internal audit for banks, insurers and large employers.
• Tax accountant, preparing returns and advising clients at accounting firms and tax practices, or in-house for companies with complex GST and income tax obligations.
• Management accountant, budgeting, forecasting and cost analysis inside a business, often in manufacturing, retail, health or not-for-profit organisations.
• Financial analyst, in banking, superannuation, investment firms and corporate treasury teams.
• Bookkeeper or payroll officer moving into a qualified role, many students use the degree to formalise experience they already have.
• Business services accountant, the generalist role in suburban and regional firms that covers tax, compliance, BAS lodgement and small business advice.

Accounting is on Australia's skilled occupation lists, and graduates often go on to complete the professional programs run by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, or the Institute of Public Accountants. Check with the relevant body about which units you need for associate membership.