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Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension)
PostgraduateRMI-CPA-MAS2018
Course information for 2018 intake
Accredited by CPA Australia and recognised by the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
Develop essential knowledge and skills in the core areas of accounting to become a literate and analytical practitioner. You’ll study for your masters degree and work towards Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) status at the same time
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 16
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension)
About this degree
On completion of this degree you will have developed the knowledge and skills to work as an accountant in a range of diverse organisations. Your knowledge and skills to apply technical accounting and theories to accounting problems and make logical judgements will be developed through the study of a broad range of business disciplines and a specialised accounting major.
On the successful completion of this degree you will be able to:
- Integrate advanced theoretical and technical accounting knowledge
- Exercise judgement under minimal supervision to solve emerging or advanced in complex contexts
- Critically apply advanced theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills supervision to solve emerging or advanced in complex contexts.
- Justify and communicate accounting advice and ideas in complex collaborative contexts involving both accountants and non-accountants
- Seek constructive feedback to identify and action learning opportunities and self-improvements and initiate this process for others
- Apply research principles and methods to design innovative options and solutions for, and make reasoned judgements about, problems and issues in contemporary business practice.
The Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension) program provides you with practical and theoretical knowledge, skills and expertise to become a literate and analytical practitioner in accounting.
This program is designed for graduates of non-accounting disciplines who wish to broaden their career prospects. The Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension) aims to develop essential knowledge and skills in core areas of accounting and business with an appreciation of the social, environmental, cultural and ethical issues impacting on contemporary business environments. In addition to completing an accredited postgraduate qualification in Accounting, you will also complete the CPA Program Professional levels segments (MPA/CPA degrees).
The capstone subjects ACCT2280 Strategic Management Control Systems and MPAC50 Accounting Thought and Ethics will give you the opportunity to critically reflect on this degree's curriculum. The subject will promote the integration and synthesis of a range of knowledge and skills gained in the program and the application of these in discipline related real-world scenarios leading to work readiness or entry to graduate studies.
The distinctive structure of the program aligns the content of six of its 16 subjects with the content of six subjects within the CPA Program™ conducted by CPA Australia. By enrolling in RMIT’s Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) (CPA Extension) program you can achieve a master degree and the CPA designation concurrently.
Graduates may gain employment in various sectors including public accounting practice, commercial and government organisations and a wide range of roles.
Recommended study pattern
The Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension) is comprised of sixteen subjects. Students should follow the structure as follows:
Stage A:
1. MPAC10 Accounting, Accountability and Society
2. MPAC20 Business and Corporations Law
3. MPAC70 Financial Decision Making
4. MPAC30 Contemporary Financial and Integrated Reporting
Stage B:
1. ACCT2280 Strategic Management Control Systems
2. ECON1315 Quantitative Methods for Economic Analysis
3. MPAC110 Assurance and Forensic Accounting
4. MPAC50 Accounting Thought and Ethics
Stage C:
1. MPAC90 Taxation Law and Practice
2. ACCT2270 CPA Ethics and Governance
3. ACCT2272 CPA Financial Reporting and Disclosure
4. ACCT2278 CPA Strategic Management Accounting
Stage D:
1. BUSM4449 Business Research Design
2. ACCT2276 CPA Global Strategy and Leadership
3. ACCT2268 CPA Contemporary Business Issues
4. ACCT2274 CPA Financial Risk Management
Award requirements
To meet the requirements of the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension), students must satisfactorily complete 16 core subjects.
Exit points
The Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension) has two early exit points.
Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting after the successful completion of the first four (4) subjects:
- MPAC10 Accounting, Accountability and Society
- MPAC20 Business and Corporations Law
- MPAC70 Financial Decision Making
- MPAC30 Contemporary Financial and Integrated Reporting
Students may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting after the successful completion of the eight (8) discipline core subjects:
- MPAC10 Accounting, Accountability and Society
- MPAC20 Business and Corporations Law
- MPAC70 Financial Decision Making
- MPAC30 Contemporary Financial and Integrated Reporting
- ACCT2280 Strategic Management Control Systems
- ECON1315 Quantitative Methods for Economic Analysis
- MPAC90 Taxation Law and Practice
- MPAC110 Assurance and Forensic Accounting
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.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $51,840
The amount shown here is 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.
One of Australia's largest dual-sector institutes, offering both TAFE and higher education, RMIT University proudly delivers work-related education and practical research relevant to current business and community needs. More than 96,000 students study with RMIT, and many of their degrees are available through Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about RMIT University.
Explore RMIT courses.
- QS Ranking 2025:
- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2025:
- 16
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
- An Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent or higher level qualification in any discipline; or
- Successful completion of the RMIT Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting.
All non-Australian residents and overseas full-fee paying students are required to meet RMIT English language requirements. For more information on these requirements and acceptable English Language tests please see:
Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting will articulate to the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension) with advanced standing, and will be required to complete twelve (12) degrees (144 credit points) in order to qualify for the degree.
Credits and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT University’s Credit Policy.
If you wish to apply for RPL or Credit, please complete the below PDF form and attach it to your degree application.
If you have already submitted your degree application, please send your RPL/Credit application directly to RMIT via RMIT Connect
RMIT Credit RPL Application Form (661 KB)
Career opportunities
Professional recognition
RMIT’s Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension) is a program accredited by CPA Australia and, is delivered in partnership with CPA Australia.
Students who successfully complete the first ten courses of the program are eligible to apply for associate membership of CPA Australia. Prior to commencing the CPA segment units, students will be required to apply for associate membership of CPA Australia and enrol in the CPA Program™.
Students and graduates are eligible to apply for membership of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and IPA. The Chartered Accountants require graduates to complete a professional qualification program to gain full membership.
Graduates are also eligible to apply for entry and receive exemptions into the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification program.
http://www.cpaaustralia.com.au
http://www.charteredaccountants.com.au
http://www.publicaccountants.org.au
http://www.accaglobal.com
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.