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QUT (Queensland University of Technology)

  • 17% international / 83% domestic

Master of Business (Professional Accounting)

  • Masters (Coursework)

Key details

Degree Type
Masters (Coursework)
Duration
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
Course Code
085448J
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Feb, Jul

About this course

Highlights
  • This 2 year program can be completed in 1.5 years if you have a bachelor degree in business or a related field. See entry requirements for details.
  • Develop the knowledge and skills needed to progress towards a professional accounting career, with no previous accounting knowledge required.
  • Hone your analytical, decision-making, communication and problem-solving skills to advance your career.
  • Study the core accounting areas of financial reporting, management accounting, auditing, taxation and financial management, while also acquiring foundational skills in economics, ICT, data analysis and business law.
  • Meet the academic requirements for membership of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Institute of Public Accountants. Graduates can enter the professional programs provided by these bodies.
  • Graduates will also receive exemptions from the UK-based Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
  • QUT's Business School has been ranked number 1 in Queensland and number 3 in Australia for postgraduate studies in AFR's BOSS Best Business School 2022 rankings.
  • Find out more at our upcoming Master of Business information evening event.
Highlights
  • This 2 year program can be completed in 1.5 years if you have a bachelor degree in business or a related field. See entry requirements for details.
  • Develop the knowledge and skills needed to progress towards a professional accounting career, with no previous accounting knowledge required.
  • Hone your analytical, decision-making, communication and problem-solving skills to advance your career.
  • Study the core accounting areas of financial reporting, management accounting, auditing, taxation and financial management, while also acquiring foundational skills in economics, ICT, data analysis and business law.
  • Meet the academic requirements for membership of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Institute of Public Accountants. Graduates can enter the professional programs provided by these bodies.
  • Graduates will also receive exemptions from the UK-based Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
  • QUT's Business School has been ranked number 1 in Queensland and number 3 in Australia for postgraduate studies in AFR's BOSS Best Business School 2022 rankings.
  • Find out more at our upcoming Master of Business information evening event.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements 2 year program

You must have a recognised bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.00 (on QUT's 7 point scale).

1.5 year program

You must have:

  • A recognised bachelor degree (or higher) in business or a related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.00 (on QUT's 7 point scale); or
  • A recognised bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.00 (on QUT's 7 point scale) followed by at least seven years full-time (or equivalent) work experience in business or a related discipline.
Note

This program has not been designed for students who have completed a bachelor's degree in accounting or equivalent that has been accredited by CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

We recognise not all overseas accounting qualifications will meet the professional requirements to gain membership with CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

If you have an accounting qualification from outside Australia/New Zealand and you should contact the CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand to determine what additional studies you may need to undertake to meet the professional bodies requirements.

Academic entry requirements

As part of QUT's application for admission process you will be automatically assessed for the 1.5 year program. If you wish to be considered for the 2 year program only please indicate this on your application form.

Master of Business - 1.5 year program

  • A completed recognised bachelor degree in business or related field with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.00 (on QUT's 7 point scale).

Master of Business - 2 year program

  • A completed recognised bachelor degree in any discipline with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.00 (on QUT's 7 point scale).

Note

This course has not been designed for students who have completed a bachelor's degree in accounting or equivalent that has been accredited by CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

We recognise that not all overseas accounting qualifications will meet the professional requirements to gain membership with CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

If you have an accounting qualification from outside Australia/ New Zealand and you should contact the CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand to determine what additional studies you may need to undertake to meet the professional bodies requirements.

Pathway

Graduate Certificate in Business and Communication: Applicants with an overall IELTS score of 6 (Reading and Writing no less than 5.5 and no other sub-score below 5) (or accepted equivalent) may be considered for the Graduate Certificate / Masters pathway.

Study locations

Gardens Point

What you will learn

The course is designed for those with no prior knowledge in accounting. The Foundation studies units introduce you to the fundamental skills around financial reporting management accounting and financial management. You will also acquire foundational knowledge in relevant business law.

In your second semester you will develop more advanced skills in financial reporting and the information systems used by accountants. You will also be introduced to the specialist area of taxation and gain foundational knowledge in economics and data analysis.

You will then extend your discipline knowledge and skills with more advanced financial reporting and an introduction to the specialist area of auditing. You will supplement your discipline studies with a thorough investigation of the ethics of accounting and finance and in the capstone unit you will take on the role of a professional providing advice and solutions to a range of real-world client problems.

Completing this course will allow entry into the professional programs offered by CPA Australia Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Public Accountants.

Flexible delivery

Units in this postgraduate program are delivered using a mix of face-to-face online and blended learning technologies. All course materials are placed online including course lecture materials practical session guides readings and help guides.

Business advantage

The QUT Business School's Business Advantage program is a free program offered to all business students. It can help you develop skills through interaction discussion cooperation and debate with other students and leaders from business government education and community sectors. The program includes: guest presentations from inspiring industry community and university leaders; sessions focused on specific social and professional skills; challenging interaction aimed at developing skills through new experiences; and provides a certificate of completion for you to include in your resume or portfolio. Not only does this program offer you excellent networking opportunities but also the opportunity to gain highly relevant experiences and skills that you can apply throughout your career.

Career pathways

Careers and outcomes

The Australian Government has projected a five-year growth rate of 9-15% for accountants and auditors to 2025 and identified a national shortage of accountants and auditors with strong future demand (Department of Education Skills and Employment- Occupation Projects 2020; National Skills Commission - Skills Priority List June 2021).

All businesses in all industries and all sectors use accounting information to make decisions. An accounting qualification can therefore provide you with skills that benefit you as you progress your career whether that is in the private public or not-for-profit sectors from small start-ups to multinational conglomerates local tax accountants to Big 4 advisory services.

Professional recognition

The Master of Business (Professional Accounting) meets the accreditation requirements for CPA Australia Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Graduates are able to enrol in their respective professional programs.

Graduates are also eligible for exemptions in the qualifying program for membership of the UK-based Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

More information on membership requirements of professional bodies can be found at their websites linked above.

Early exit

Students may exit from the Master of Business (BS11) at the following stages once those particular course requirements have been met:

  • Graduate Diploma of Business (BS79) (Study Area A)
  • Graduate Certificate in Business (BS39) (Study Area A).
Possible careers
  • Accountant
  • Business analyst
  • Business risk and governance consultant
  • Certified practicing accountant
  • Chartered accountant
  • Chartered secretary
  • Chartered tax adviser
  • Chief financial officer
  • Financial accountant
  • Financial analyst
  • Financial controller
  • Financial manager
  • Forensic accountant
  • Management accountant
  • Tax accountant

Course structure

The Master of Business is designed in three blocks of study:

1. Foundation studies (48 credit points)
2. Discipline studies (96 credit points)
3. Complementary studies (48 credit points)

Students with an undergraduate degree that is not in Business or a related field of study will undertake 192 credit points of study commencing with Foundation studies.

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in Business or related field of study with a minimum GPA of 4 (on a 7 point scale) will undertake 144 credit points of study in their course. Students will commence their Masters in the Foundation studies block.

The Master of Business is designed in three blocks of study:

1. Foundation studies (48 credit points)
2. Discipline studies (96 credit points)
3. Complementary studies (48 credit points)

Students with an undergraduate degree that is not in Business or a related field of study will undertake 192 credit points of study commencing with Foundation studies.

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in Business or related field of study with a minimum GPA of 4 (on a 7 point scale) will undertake 144 credit points of study in their course. Students will commence their Masters in the Foundation studies block.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Business & Management courses at QUT (Queensland University of Technology).
87%
Overall satisfaction
81.8%
Skill scale
77.4%
Teaching scale
91.4%
Employed full-time
$115k
Average salary