Professional Accounting (Advanced)

A career in accounting provides challenging, rewarding and versatile opportunities in the current business environment. Increasingly businesses are looking for people with superior analytical skills which accounting can provide. A Master of Professional Accounting (Advanced) is a qualification which equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to succeed in accounting as well as a specialisation in International Business or Applied Finance.

The Master of Professional Accounting (Advanced) offered through the University of Newcastle is for people with an educational background other than accounting, and seeking an entry into the professional accounting bodies’ membership program. The skills gained from this program are not only prerequisites for a career in accounting but highly transferable in the banking and finance industry globally.

Due to the increasing integration and interdependence of the global economy, an understanding of the principles of International Business such as cross-cultural management and global business management will complement studies in Professional Accounting, allowing the graduates to position themselves for senior management roles in global firms.

Careers

The Masters of Professional Accounting (Advanced) is the gateway to membership with CPA and ICAA, two internationally recognised professional qualifications. A thorough understanding of accounting principles and membership of internationally recognised professional accounting bodies make for a versatile and highly employable graduate.

Knowledge, skills and confidence in accounting are important attributes of senior managers. Accounting skills are transferrable across all industries and are required for sound financial decision making. The insights you will gain as a graduate of the Master of Professional Accounting (Advanced) will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to seek employment in fields, globally in areas such as:

• financial accounting

• management accounting

• taxation

• auditing

• superannuation

• investment

• financial advising

• banking

• stockbroking

The theory and accounting principles you have acquired through the Master of Professional Accounting will equip you for diverse real-world business situations. This knowledge will increase your value and see you fast-track to leadership and career advancement.

The program’s content focuses on accounting skills in a global context and these skills are transferrable to organisations of all sizes whether they are in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors,domestic or international, and arming you with high-level accounting skills and "know-how" to successfully manage business matters.

Today, businesses require expertise in a range of accounting areas including preparation of financial statements, forecasting, taxation, auditing and management decision making.

A Master of Professional Accounting (Advanced) through the University of Newcastle offers a strategically developed program that will enhance and enrich your knowledge of accounting.

Students will undertake studies in the following areas:

• financial accounting
• management accounting
• accounting information systems
• auditing and assurance
• business finance
• taxation law
• economics
• business decision making
• business law
• company law

Students who elect to specialise in International Business can elect to study from:

• globalisation
• managing human resources in international organisations
• global business management
• cross cultural management
• international business strategy

Students who elect to specialise in Applied Finance can elect to study from:

• investment analysis
• applied portfolio management
• derivatives and risk management
• international financial management
• individual financial planning

You will develop an advanced understanding and application of accounting, finance and the legal and legislative frameworks which must be adhered to. You will learn to understand and apply well-established accounting frameworks and skills which are transferable across many industries.

There are two pathways into the Master of Professional Accounting (Advanced).Direct entry into the Masters Program (160 units) will be available for applicants who have: * 3 year Bachelors Degree in the discipline; or * 3 year Bachelors Degree not in the discipline + 1 year relevant business experience; or * At least 7 years business experience, including 2 years in a management position.Students entering via this pathway are able to complete 4 courses per trimester, and are able to complete courses in any sequence they wish, that is consistent with course prerequisites. Applicants with an Honours degree in the cognate area or equivalent relevant qualifications at level 8 or above will be given appropriate recognition of prior learning.The alternate pathway is through the Graduate Certificate (40 units) which will be available for applicants who have: * 3 year Bachelors Degree not in the discipline; or * 3 year Diploma in the discipline; or * 3 year Diploma not in the discipline + 1 year relevant business experience; or * 2 year Diploma in the discipline + 2 years relevant business experience; or * 2 year Diploma not in the discipline + 3 years relevant business experience; or * At least 5 years business experience.Students entering via this pathway will be required to: * Complete the Graduate Certificate over a minimum of two trimesters (typically 20 units per trimester); and * Successfully complete a “Business Academic Skills Program” (BASP) which will be of 6 weeks duration. The BASP will be non-fee based and can be completed concurrently with courses in the Graduate Certificate.Only after the successful completion of the Graduate Certificate and the academic skills program will students be eligible to formally enrol in the Masters Program. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5