Bachelor of Accounting
Undergraduate
SWI-ACC-DEG 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Prepare for a financial career in any sector
Study accounting online and graduate work-ready for professional roles. Deep dive into accounting and its associated disciplines for in-depth financial skills. By combining core business subjects and electives, you’re set for a career in finance.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Accounting
About this degree
Financial Accounting:
Generate logical solutions to finance problems that are fit for purpose. Gain awareness of the impact financial decisions have on businesses.
Management Accounting:
Learn technical skills required to analyse information that support decisions which enhance both customer and shareholder values.
Company Accounting:
Understand technical methods to help with the preparation of accounting information and financial statements.
Taxation:
Understand the Australian taxation system and the basic principles of Australian income tax, fringe benefit tax and goods and services taxation legislation.
Auditing:
Understand the nature and purpose of auditing within the regulatory auditing environment.
Financial Statistics:
Use data to analyse and interpret information to guide business decisions in a variety of contexts.
On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:
- Define and integrate theoretical principles applicable to accounting and apply those principles in a range of practices.
- Systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources in order to make informed judgements on options for innovatively solving a range of problems that arise in business contexts.
- Formulate creative solutions that are fit for purpose and demonstrate cognisance of the impact of business decisions on the environment, economy and society.
- Coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas.
- Communicate a range of business arguments by evaluating and implementing alternative communication strategies as appropriate to the audience.
- Build on and continuously develop the intellectual independence to be critical and reflective learners, cognisant of new technologies.
- Work collaboratively in groups.
In this rewarding career, you’ll help people and organisations with their big picture financial goals, while never losing sight of the small details. Learn highly sought-after skills to help your clients make the most of their finances.
This course will equip you with the professional skills you’ll need to find your dream role in accounting. Pair knowledge of the latest financial management software, such as Tableau and Xero, with foundational business practices to ensure you enter the workplace with a thorough understanding of core business needs. An industry consulting project for a live client provides additional opportunities for Bachelor of Accounting students to build a professional portfolio of work and to gain insights to make you work-ready upon graduation.
Recommended study pattern
A total of 24 units are taken to complete the Bachelor of Accounting, including six core units, two capstone units, eight accounting major units and eight electives.
In capstone units you combine the skills you'll learn throughout your degree and apply them to practical scenarios to solidify your knowledge. You'll collaborate with your peers and solve real business problems, giving you the confidence to step into the workforce with practical experience.
Core units
Law of Commerce (LAW20019)*
*This unit bridges the gap between law and business, helping you to apply legal concepts in a corporate context. It’s a required unit for those looking to become a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA).
Financial Information for Decision-Making (ACC10007)
Economics for Business Decision-Making (ECO10005)
Business Digitalisation (INF10024)
Contemporary Management Principles (MGT10001)
Capstone units
Business Consulting Project (BUS30032)
Sustainable Business Practice (BUS30031)
Accounting major units
Financial Information Systems (ACC10008)
Management Accounting for Planning and Control (ACC20007)
Company Accounting (ACC20013)
Taxation (ACC30005)
Accounting Theory (ACC30008)
Auditing (ACC30010)
Financial Statistics (FIN10002)
Financial Management (FIN20014)
Recommended electives
Forensic Accounting (ACC30003)
Planning for Career Success (CAR10001)
Big Data Management (INF20016)
Other Elective options can be viewed on the Swinburne Online website.
Professional Placement
Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a Professional Placement where a relevant Professional degree exists. International students who successfully gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant Professional degree, in order to complete a placement and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.
Students who undertake a 12 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 or 400 credit points comprising:
- Eight [8] Core Units of Study (100 credit points); AND EITHER
- Six [6] units of study comprising a minor and/or elective units (75 credit points); AND
- Eight [8] units of study from the Accounting major (100 credit points); OR
- Sixteen [16] units of study from the Accounting and Financial Planning major (200 credit points); AND
- Four [4] units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points).
Students who elect to undertake a 6 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 or 350 credit points comprising:
- Eight [8] Core Units of Study (100 credit points); AND EITHER
- Eight [8] units of study from the Accounting major (100 credit points); AND
- Seven [7] units of study comprising a minor and/or electives (87.5 credit points); OR
- Sixteen [16] units of study from the Accounting and Financial Planning major (200 credit points); AND
- Two [2] units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points).
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Accounting students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:
- Eight [8]) core units of study (100 credit points); AND
- Eight [8] units of study from the Accounting major (100 credit points); AND
- Eight [8] units of Secondary studies (100 credit points) comprising of a second major, minor/s, or electives; OR
- Sixteen [16] units of study from the Accounting and Financial Planning major (200 credit points).
- Students may not complete more than 125 credit points (normally 10 units) at Introductory Level.
A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$16,992
Indicative total fee $50,976
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
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- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 14
How to apply
Swinburne University of Technology manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Swinburne University of Technology who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.
Diploma entry pathways
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and provides advanced standing to the second.
Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree but in most instances you may receive up to 8 unit credits.
Our Course Consultants will step you through the process of entry and credit using previous study.
Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for credit.
Applicants who have completed a Diploma in a related discipline may be eligible for credit of up to 8 units; the equivalent of a third of the course. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.
Career opportunities
Accountant
Help clients manage their finances and give expert advice on financial reporting, forecasting and analysis.
Financial Accountant
Take the reigns and run the accounting and financial activities of an organisation. Ensure reporting requirements are met and provide timely and accurate information to the management team.
Management Accountant
Drive the future of your organisation - you'll communicate your financial expertise to inform important decisions that will affect your company and its' growth.
Financial Controller
Oversee the day-to-day operations of your finance department. Through a strong analytical lens, you'll lead the development and implementation of complex financial strategies.
Auditor
Auditors are the detectives of the finance world. You'll examine financial records and ensure things are running smoothly, efficiently and legally.
Tax Analyst
Help individuals and organisations prepare their tax returns, with tax planning and tax accounting. With your expert tax law knowledge, you'll be essential during the end-of-financial-year.
Bookkeeper
If you've got an eye for detail, you'll love working as a Bookkeeper. Maintain accurate financial records and create statements. You'll be involved in processing payroll, sending invoices and maintaining employee records.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Accounting is professionally accredited by CAANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand) as well as CPA (Certified Practising Accountants) Australia.
Financial Planning Education Council
The Bachelor of Accounting is accredited by the Financial Planning Education Council and graduates are eligible for entry into the Financial Planning Association of Australia’s Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certified program.
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
Swinburne business degrees are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, and are a part of the five per cent of business schools worldwide accredited by AACSB. The alumni of AACSB accredited business schools are among the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs impacting business, government, and non-profit sectors.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Accountants | $75K to $93K | Up 8% |
Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers | $93K to $120K | Up 37.6% |
Finance Managers | Over $120K | Up 24.7% |
Financial Investment Advisers and Managers | Over $120K | Up 25.4% |