Master of Professional Accounting

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

1. Become successful, ethical and professional accountants able to think and act independently, tolerate ambiguity and think creatively.
2. Understand and be able to apply principles and analytical techniques from economics, commercial law, business communications and quantitative methods, in the accounting context, for the recognition and solution of accounting and other business problems and the identification of sustainable opportunities in the business environment.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the technical skills essential for the professional accountant in the global environment.
4. Listen and communicate effectively, to collaborate with colleagues and to demonstrate interpersonal skills of negotiation and co-operation.
5. Recognise and analyse the impact of the business environment on accounting theory and its application, including the regulatory requirements controlling the accounting process in order to anticipate, deal with and initiate change in the accounting and business environment.

The Master of Professional Accounting (12 subjects) is designed to build on non-accounting undergraduate studies or an overseas undergraduate accounting degree that is not recognised by Australian professional accounting bodies.

Valuable skill set

You'll start your accounting course by studying the concepts and principles of accounting practice, as well as the impact of the business environment on accounting theory and its application, and the regulatory requirements that control the accounting process. You'll also learn to understand and apply principles and analytical techniques from economics, commercial law, business communications and quantitative methods in the accounting context.

Study flexibility

You can study this postgraduate accounting course online. You'll learn through online study materials, video-captured lectures, online meetings and subject forums. You can also fast-track your degree by completing up to four subjects a session. If you choose to undertake the Master of Professional Accounting at our Melbourne or Sydney speciality campuses, the course can only be studied on campus. No online classes are offered for this course.

A committed team

Our academic staff are industry experts who bridge the gap between the theories of your studies and their application in the workplace. They are committed to providing quality teaching in a supportive learning environment where your lecturers know your name.

Professional Accreditation

This course is professionally accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia.

Recommended study pattern

The recommended enrolment pattern is 1 or 2 subjects per compulsory session for a part-time student (course duration 3 to 4 years).

30 session intake

ACG511 Interpreting and Communicating Accounting

ACG516 Professional Practice

60 session

ACG512 Data Analysis for Financial Decision-making

ACG508 Accounting Standards Application and Disclosures

30 session

ECO130 Business Economics

ACG513 Contemporary Cost Accounting for Management Decision-making

60 session

FIN516 Corporate Finance

LAW504 Business and Corporations Law

30 session

LAW533 Taxation Principles and Application

ACG509 Global perspectives of Accounting

60 session 

ACG514 Ethics, Governance and Developments in Accounting Thought

ACG510 Risk Based Auditing

60 session intake

ACG511 Interpreting and Communicating Accounting

LAW504 Business and Corporations Law

30 session

ECO511 Economics for Business

FIN516 Corporate Finance

60 session

ACG508 Accounting Standards Application and Disclosures

ACG512 Data Analysis for Financial Decision-making

30 session

ACG509 Global perspectives of Accounting

ACG513 Contemporary Cost Accounting for Management Decision-making

60 session

ACG510 Risk Based Auditing

ACG514 Ethics, Governance and Developments in Accounting Thought

30 session 

ACG516 Professional Practice

LAW533 Taxation Principles and Application

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $48,600

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.

Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

34

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

37

Master of Professional Accounting Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution (or equivalent). The undergraduate degree must be in a field other than Accounting, or not recognised by the Australian Accounting professional bodies for associate membership. Applicants without a tertiary qualification may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting or Graduate Diploma of Accounting on the basis of professional attainment and/or work experience. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting/Graduate Diploma of Accounting, students will then be eligible for admission to the Master of Professional Accounting and receive credit for applicable subjects.  

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements apply. 

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.