Master of Professional Accounting
Postgraduate
GRF-MPA-MAS 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Excel in the business world with an accounting degree
Qualify as a Certified Public Accountant. Explore corporate accounting, economics and income tax. Learn how to prepare financial statements and solve organisational problems with your knowledge of business law.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 16
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Professional Accounting
About this degree
Graduates of the Master of Professional Accounting will have a body of advanced knowledge that includes the understanding of advanced theoretical and technical accounting knowledge which includes a selection of auditing and assurance, finance, economics, quantitative methods, information systems, commercial law, corporation law and taxation law; and an understanding of the principles and methods that underpin research within the accounting field.
If you are from a non-accounting background or do not have a CPA Australia accredited undergraduate degree with a major in accounting, the Master of Professional Accounting conversion program will give you the training in accounting and related areas needed to meet the academic requirements for Associate membership with CPA Australia and admission to CPA Australia's CPA Program, and the CA Program of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
This program will enable you to develop the technical and conceptual skills needed to become an accountant and will develop your ability to analyse, critique and synthesise various accounting and related principles, methods and techniques. This program will also provide academic support to help you prepare for CPA Australia's CPA Program and ACCA's professional level examinations.
The program has a foundation component (Graduate Certificate) which allows those without a prior degree in Professional Accounting (or equivalent) and those looking for a career change to participate. Those with qualifications and experience in the field can also enter the program and progress to the advanced level study.
Recommended study pattern
As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:
- Accounting and Governance
- Management Accounting and Strategy
- Principles of Business and Corporations Law
- Corporate Finance
Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.
Award requirements
Pathway 1 (Standard)
To be eligible for the award of Master of Professional Accounting (MProfAcc), a student must acquire 160 credit points as prescribed below:
- gain 120 credit points for core courses and gain 40 credit points for listed electives.
Pathway 2 (Advanced)
To be eligible for the award of Master of Professional Accounting (MProfAcc), a student admitted with credit must acquire 120 credit points as prescribed below:
- gain 60 credit points for core courses and gain 60 credit points for listed electives.
This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words 'This award was achieved with Distinction' will be recorded on the testamur.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$32,500
Indicative total fee $65,000
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.
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 18
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 20
How to apply
Griffith University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Griffith University 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
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Professional Accounting, a student must:
- hold any Bachelor degree from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale), OR
- hold a Griffith Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale). Students with a Griffith Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting will receive 40 credit points of credit.
Students who have completed a degree with accounting studies but not accredited with CPA Australia for Associate membership will be considered for admission.
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:
- A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
- OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
- OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
- OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
- OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
- OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.
English test results must be no more than two years old.
Students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.
Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:
- Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
- Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
- Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.
Career opportunities
You will be qualified for work in government administration, business planning, cost and management accounting, auditing, information systems, taxation, finance and banking, stockbroking, treasury, foreign exchange, superannuation, consulting, insurance, and manufacturing.
Professional recognition
Completion of the listed courses in the Master of Professional Accounting provides exemptions from the ACCA Foundation Level Exams F1-F9.
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% |