Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting)

The Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting) at Wentworth Institute is a three-year degree for students who want to work as accountants in Australia. It sits at level 7 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which is the same level as any bachelor degree in the country. You will study financial accounting, management accounting, business law, taxation, audit, economics and corporate finance. The degree is structured around units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You need to pass a required number of credit points to graduate, usually 24 units over three years if you study full time. Most Australian universities run two semesters a year, sometimes three trimesters, and you enrol in four units per semester. The course is taught in English.

What you actually study

First year covers the basics: accounting principles, business statistics, commercial law and economics. Second year moves into company accounting, taxation law, management accounting and information systems. Third year includes audit and assurance, financial reporting and a capstone unit. That capstone is where you pull everything together, often by working through a simulated business case or a real client problem. Some students do a research project instead if they are heading towards honours.

Work-integrated learning is built in. Accounting is a field where employers expect you to have some practical exposure before you graduate, so the degree includes a professional placement or internship unit. You might spend a trimester with an accounting firm, a government department or the finance team of a company. This is not optional window dressing; it counts towards your credit points and it is often how students get their first job offer.

Skills you come out with

You will learn how to prepare and analyse financial statements, apply Australian tax law, conduct an audit, use accounting software, and explain financial information to people who are not accountants. You will also practise writing business reports, working in teams and meeting deadlines, because that is what the job actually involves. The degree is recognised by the professional accounting bodies in Australia, which means you can apply for membership and start the practical experience required for full qualification. Confirm the current accreditation status on the official page before you enrol.

Who this suits

This degree suits school leavers who are good with numbers and detail, career changers who want a stable professional qualification, and international students who plan to work in Australia after graduation. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. English requirements are usually IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall for this kind of degree, but check the official page because the Student visa has its own English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register under course code 084525J.

• Accountant, working in public practice, corporate finance or government, preparing financial statements and tax returns.
• Auditor, checking financial records for accuracy and compliance at accounting firms or the Australian National Audit Office.
• Tax consultant, advising individuals and businesses on Australian tax law at accounting or advisory firms.
• Management accountant, helping organisations budget, forecast and control costs.
• Financial analyst, analysing investments and business performance in banks, insurance companies or corporates.
• Bookkeeper or accounts officer, managing day-to-day financial records for small and medium businesses.
• Business services accountant, providing accounting and advisory services to a portfolio of clients.

Accounting graduates are hired across Australia by the Big Four and mid-tier accounting firms, government departments, banks, not-for-profits and private companies. The professional bodies, CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Institute of Public Accountants, offer pathways to full membership once you complete the required practical experience.