Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
Undergraduate
TAS-BAC-DEG 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
A globally-recognised accounting qualification
This registered CPA program offers access to internships, providing invaluable industry experience and exposure to some of Tasmania's top business minds. Gain insights through masterclasses, taxation clinics and guest lectures.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 16 Feb 2025,
- 13 July 2025
- 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 Business (Accounting)
About this degree
Your studies will equip you with in-demand and job-specific skills in accounting so that you're ready to enter the workforce. You’ll have the opportunity to utilise work-integrated learning opportunities to build your hands-on experience and important soft-skills, ensuring you graduate with the industry exposure to match your knowledge.
Upon completion of the program, students should be able to:
- Acquire and apply discipline specific knowledge and skills related to business and organisations (Discipline Knowledge).
- Communicate information effectively in written and oral forms with a diverse range of stakeholders (Communication Skills).
- Apply critical and analytical skills to the identification and evaluation of complex business problems and draw logical conclusions (Critical Skills).
- Work both independently and collaboratively to achieve agreed team outcomes (Teamwork).
Accountants work in every industry. They help manage all aspects of a business and provide tailored advice on budgeting, strategic planning, data analysis, tax-related matters, auditing, and sustainability reporting.
The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) is an internationally recognised program that will prepare you for a wide variety of jobs in Australia and around the world. This program will give you valuable industry experience, and exposure to some of Tasmania’s top business minds. You’ll also gain valuable insights into the accounting profession through internships, masterclasses, taxation clinics, and guest lecturers.
Studying from the University of Tasmania, you’ll develop an appreciation for the vast industries that operate across the state, such as aquaculture, agribusiness, export trade and tourism. Graduates of this program are responsible accountants who can recognise and evaluate the social, environmental and ethical impacts of business decisions. We embed principles of sustainability, accountability, entrepreneurial thinking and innovation across our programs, so you get the edge in your chosen career.
Our accelerated teaching model means you can complete your full Bachelor of Business in just two years. If you prefer to take more time to complete your degree, you can also choose from our range of flexible options and pick a study pattern to suit your lifestyle.
Recommended study pattern
For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended.
Year 1. 8 subjects in first year including:
- 4 core subjects
- TAS-BAA111 People and Organisations
- TAS-BEA111 Introduction to Markets and the Economy
- TAS-BEA140 Data Analysis for Business
- TAS-BFA103 Accountability and Accounting
- 2 Major subjects
- TAS-BFA112 Preparing Carbon Accounts
- TAS-BFA109 Applied Accounting Systems
- 2 UTAS Electives
Year 2. 8 subjects in second year including:
- 4 core subjects
- TAS-BAA211 Entrepreneurship
- TAS-BAA215 Business and Corporate Law
- TAS-BMA202 Business Strategy
- TAS-BMA250 Managerial Social Responsibility
- 2 Major subjects
- TAS-BEA213 Data Analytics for Accounting
- TAS-BFA203 Financial Accounting and Reporting
- 2 UTAS Electives
Year 3. 8 subjects in third year including:
- 4 Major subjects
- TAS-BFA303 Auditing and Assurance Services
- TAS-BFA312 Management Accountability and Accounting
- TAS-BFA391 Applied Taxation
- TAS-BFA392 Accounting Futures
- 4 UTAS Electives
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 24 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 3-7 years from commencement.
- 4 core subjects
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
Students admitted prior to 2025 will be required to study BFA112 Preparing Carbon Accounts, in replacement of BFA107 Financial Accountability and Management within the Accounting Major. Student can still chose to study this subject as an elective.
If you have already studied BFA107, you will not be required to enrol into BFA112, as part of the Accounting Major.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$14,997
Indicative total fee $44,990
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.
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 20
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 19
Entry requirements
- Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). You must have completed at least two subjects of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level subjects completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If you have failed any subjects, your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
- Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).
Successful completion of any two OUA open access subjects of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified
Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers are made based on the number of places available. In 2024, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 50.40 The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.
Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your individual subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.
Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline.
If you’ve completed one of the VET qualifications listed below you are guaranteed both entry and credit into the Bachelor of Business.
- FNS50222 Diploma of Accounting- credit given is 100 credit points
- BSB50420 Diploma of Accounting- credit given is 100 credit points
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement. Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this program.
You may be eligible for advanced standing (i.e. credit) in this degree if you:
- Have completed an award such as a Diploma or Advanced Diploma from the University or another institution
- Are currently studying another Bachelor degree at the University or at another institution;
- Have completed a Bachelor degree at the University or an equivalent award from another institution.
In addition to these formal agreements, we also offer credit for a wide range of other VET qualifications. Generally, you can gain credit for your TAFE/VET study if:
- It’s in a similar study area as your proposed university study,
- Is at Diploma of Advanced Diploma level, and
- It was completed no more than 10 years ago.
Visit our TAFE and VET students website to learn more about articulation, and how to apply for credit into this degree.
How to apply for credit
- You can apply for a credit/advanced standing as part of the online application process.
Career opportunities
Accountants are needed in every industry. The skill level rating for accountants in Australia is considered very high and the number of accountant jobs is estimated to grow by 17,900 by 2026*. An exciting career with your accounting major could include business analyst, financial analyst, or auditor.
Careers in Accounting and Finance are growing fast, here are some of the careers projected to grow into 2026*:
- 9.2% Accountant
- 21.3% Auditors and corporate treasurers
- 14.2 % Financial Broker
*Labour Market Insights five-year projections from November 2021 to November 2026.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Business Accounting major is accredited by both CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand to ensure your experience and studies are globally recognised.
Completion of that major may meet the requirements for membership of CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. There may be additional requirements for membership beyond the completion of the major.
For further membership requirements, please visit the CPA Australia website or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand website.
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% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.