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Master of Professional Accounting
PostgraduateRMI-PAC-MAS2018
Course information for 2018 intake
For non-accounting graduates wanting to broaden their career prospects
Gain an expert understanding of key subject areas such as business and corporations law, taxation, forensic accounting, strategic management control systems and quantitative methods. Graduates expand their opportunities in a wide range of industries.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 12
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Professional Accounting
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this degree you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad, critical and practical understanding of contemporary issues and practices in business
- Integrate 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
- Exercise judgement under supervision to solve routine and complex accounting problems in a number of diverse contexts using social, ethical, economic, regulatory and global perspectives
- Critically apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to solve routine and complex accounting problems in a number of diverse contexts
- Justify and communicate accounting advice and ideas in a number of diverse collaborative contexts involving both accountants and non-accountants
- Seek constructive feedback and reflect on performance to identify and action learning opportunities and self-improvements and initiate this process for others
- Apply and integrate professional theory with practice in authentic Work Integrated Learning (WIL) contexts, professional contexts and industry settings
- 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 provides you with practical and theoretical knowledge, skills and expertise to become a literate and analytical practitioner in accounting. This degree is designed for graduates of non-accounting disciplines who wish to broaden their career prospects. The Master of Professional Accounting 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.
You will experience a variety of learning experiences which may include: lectures and tutorials, assignments, presentations and collaborative projects. Assessment includes formal examinations, written assignments, both on an individual, and group basis, in-class tests evaluations of case studies and completion of projects.
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. These subjects will promote the integration and synthesis of a range of knowledge and skills gained in the degree and the application of these in discipline related real-world scenarios leading to work readiness or entry to graduate studies.
Graduates may gain employment in various sectors including public accounting practice, commercial and government organisations and in a wide range of roles.
Recommended study pattern
The Master of Professional Accounting is comprised of sixteen subjects, however, students who have been admitted into the Master of Professional Accounting will be exempted from the four (4) Business Enabling subjects and should therefore follow the recommended structure below:
Stage A:
- MPAC10 Accounting, Accountability and Society
- MPAC20 Business and Corporations Law
- MPAC70 Financial Decision Making
- MPAC30 Contemporary Financial and Integrated Reporting
Stage B:
- ACCT2280 Strategic Management Control Systems
- ECON1315 Quantitative Methods for Economic Analysis
- MPAC110 Assurance and Forensic Accounting
- MPAC50 Accounting Thought and Ethics
Stage C:
- BUSM4449 Business Research Design
- MPAC90 Taxation Law and Practice
- Postgraduate Elective 1
- Postgraduate Elective 2
Award requirements
To qualify for the RMIT Master of Professional Accounting students must:
Successfully complete 10 core discipline subjects and 2 postgraduate elective subjects for a total of 12 subjects.
Exit points
The Master of Professional Accounting has two early exit points.
Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting after the successful completion of the first four (4) discipline subjects in the degree:
- MPAC10 Accounting, Accountability and Society
- MPAC20 Business and Corporations Law
- MPAC30 Contemporary Financial and Integrated Reporting
- MPAC70 Financial Decision Making
Students may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting after the successful completion of the following eight (8) discipline subjects:
- MPAC10 Accounting, Accountability and Society
- MPAC20 Business and Corporations Law
- MPAC30 Contemporary Financial and Integrated Reporting
- MPAC70 Financial Decision Making
- ACCT2280 Strategic Management Control Systems
- ECON1315 Quantitative Methods for Economic Analysis
- MPAC90 Taxation Law & 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.
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.
Please Note: The following transition arrangements only apply to students in the Master of Professional Accounting and does not affect students in the Graduate Certificate.
The Master of Professional Accounting has undergone a major change. All students beginning their studies from 2016 will need to study the new course structure.
Transition rules for students who commenced prior to 2016:
A student who has still to complete both, MPAC60 - Economic Analysis for Business and MPAC80 - Quantitative Methods for Accounting must enrol in ECON1315 - Quantitative Methods for Economic Analysis.
A student who has completed one of, MPAC60 - Economic Analysis for Business and MPAC80 - Quantitative Methods for Accounting cannot enrol in ECON1315 - Quantitative Methods for Economic Analysis.
A student who has completed both, MPAC60 - Economic Analysis for Business and MPAC80 - Quantitative Methods for Accounting must enrol in an elective.
A student who has not completed MPAC40 - Strategic Information SystemsandAccounting must enrol in BUSM4449 - Business Research Design.
2016 Replacement Units:
MPAC100 - Strategic Accounting for Management & MPAC40 - Strategic Information Systems and Accounting have both been replaced by ACCT2280 - Strategic Management Control Systems.
MPAC60 Economic Analysis for Business has been replaced by ECON1315 Quantitative Methods for Economic Analysis
MPAC80 Quantitative Methods for Accounting has been replaced by ECON1315 Quantitative Methods for Economic Analysis
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $38,880
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.
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Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
- Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent in Business (or a related discipline); or
- Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent in any discipline; or
- Successful completion of the RMIT Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting; or
- Australian Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters degree or equivalent in Business (or a related discipline).
Required: Minimum 3 years Full Time Equivalent (FTE) management experience. Applicants will be required to submit a CV
All non-Australian residents and overseas full-fee paying students are required to satisfy RMIT English language requirements. For more information on these requirements and acceptable English Language tests please see:
The Master of Professional Accounting is comprised of 16 subjects, however, students who have been admitted into the Master of Professional Accounting will be exempted from the four (4) Business Enabling subjects and will be required to complete twelve (12) subjects in order to qualify for the degree.
Students who successfully complete the RMIT Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting will be exempted from completing the four (4) Business Enabling degrees and the four (4) discipline degrees completed in the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting, and will be required to complete the eight (8) degrees (96 credit points) in order to qualify for the degree.
Credit will be assessed consistently with the RMIT University credit policy and procedures.
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
This program is accredited by the professional bodies listed below. Specified credit/exemptions towards professional qualifications offered as part of the accreditation is subject to the applicant meeting set criteria defined by each professional body. Any application for credit/exemption should be made directly to the professional body and is the graduate's responsibility.
The information below lists the professional bodies who may offer membership to students and/or graduates as a career enabler which could include opportunities for networking and access to discipline specific resources. Application for membership is the student/graduate's responsibility.
CPA Australia
Program satisfies the academic requirements for direct entry into the CPA Australia program.
- Students and graduates eligible to join CPA Australia Network
- Graduates eligible to enrol in CPA Australia program
- Graduates eligible for membership category: Associate
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand [CAANZ]
Program satisfies the academic requirements for entry into the CA program.
- Graduates eligible to enrol in CA program
- Graduates eligible for membership category: Student Affiliate
www.charteredaccountantsanz.com
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants [ACCA]
Program satisfies the academic requirements for entry into the ACCA Qualification program.
- Graduates eligible for specified credit in the ACCA Qualification program of up to 9 papers
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants [CIMA]
Program satisfies the academic requirements to be streamed into the Advance Route 2 pathway for the CIMA qualification.
- Students can enrol in the CIMA program with specified credit for all papers except the Management Case Study Exam (MCSE) which can be taken in the last semester of the Master's program. The CIMA qualification will be awarded on confirmation of the awarding of the degree.
- Graduates can enrol in the CIMA program and are eligible for specified credit for all papers except for the MCSE
The Association of International Accountants [AIA]
Program satisfies the academic requirements for entry into the AIA professional qualification programs.
- Graduates eligible for specified credit of up to 12 papers
Institute of Public Accountants [IPA]
- Graduates eligible to apply for IPA program
- Graduates eligible for membership category: Associate or Graduate Associate
Business practitioners, lecturers from industry, guest speakers and industry-relevant projects underpin the work integrated learning components of this program. An industry advisory board ensures current standards and practice are reflected in this program.
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
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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.
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