Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)

This is a four-year double degree that pairs the broad business skills of a Bachelor of Business with the accounting depth of a Bachelor of Commerce. You graduate with two qualifications and a clear path to accounting practice. The accounting sequence covers financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation, business law and corporate finance. On the business side you study management, marketing, economics, business analytics and organisational behaviour. Because it is a double degree, you do more units than a single bachelor, which is why it runs four years full time rather than three.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are built from units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You need a total credit count to graduate, and the double degree carries a larger total than either single degree. The academic year usually runs in two semesters, with a mid-year intake at many institutions, and some units available over summer. Expect a mix of core units everyone takes, accounting major units, business major or minor units, and electives. Assessment is typically a combination of exams, assignments, group projects and presentations. Confirm the exact unit list, credit points and semester offerings on the official USC page.

Skills you build

You learn to prepare and interpret financial statements, apply accounting standards, work through tax and audit problems, and use accounting software and spreadsheets. The commerce side sharpens quantitative analysis and business law. The business side builds communication, teamwork and decision-making. By the end you can read a set of accounts, explain what the numbers mean, and argue a case to a manager or client. Those are the skills employers test in interviews and on the job.

Who it suits and what to check

This degree suits school leavers who want a professional accounting career with a wider business education, and career changers who need the accounting units for recognition. If you intend to register as a tax agent or join a professional body, check the accreditation status of the specific degree with CPA Australia, CA ANZ and the IPA, and confirm it on the official USC page. International students should note the Student visa work right of 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream for after graduation. English requirements for entry are published by USC, and the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the visa. Tuition is listed on the CRICOS register under course code 065673K.

• Graduate accountant or assistant accountant in public practice firms
• Audit assistant in audit and assurance teams
• Tax accountant or tax compliance officer
• Management accountant or financial analyst in corporate finance teams
• Payroll or accounts officer in small and medium enterprises
• Financial officer in government departments and not-for-profits
• Business analyst or consultant in professional services firms
• Banking, insurance and superannuation roles in financial services

Accounting graduates work across public practice, corporate finance, government and the not-for-profit sector. Many go on to complete the CPA Program or the CA Program while working. Check the current accreditation status of this degree with CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants ANZ and the Institute of Public Accountants before you enrol.