Accounting courses
Help me choose a courseIntroduction to Accounting
Do you love focusing on details and solving problems that others can’t? Accounting may be the career for you. With the right qualification, you’ll have the confidence you need to decode complex financial cases, navigate tax law, and guide businesses on their financial responsibilities.
Harness your natural talent for numbers and take control of your career with the support of Open Universities Australia. Whether you're interested in upskilling through a short course, studying a Bachelor of Accounting, or going further with a Master of Professional Accounting, we can help you explore online accounting courses with some of Australia’s leading universities.
Explore accounting coursesDiscover accounting courses
Online accounting subjects and short courses
Undergraduate
CUR-ACCT1002- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 03 Mar 2025, 01 Sep 2025
Next enrolment closes 23 Feb
Undergraduate
USA-ACCT1011- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 07 Apr 2025, 22 Sep 2025
Undergraduate
GRF-GBS106- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 14 Jul 2025, 03 Nov 2025
Undergraduate
TAS-BFA103- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 24 Feb 2025, 21 Jul 2025, 15 Sep 2025
Online accounting degrees
Undergraduate
UNE-ACC-DIPTrack the flow of money and analyse financial activities
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
Undergraduate
TAS-BUS-PTHClimb the business ladder in more ways than one.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Graduate Certificate in Commerce
Postgraduate
GRF-COM-GCEAdd skills in accounting and finance to your professional toolkit
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
Master of Professional Accounting
Postgraduate
CSU-PAC-MASA professionally accredited accounting masters degree
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
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Accounting study FAQs
Why should I study accounting?
With your strong business and financial acumen, you’ll be qualified to work in almost any industry. After finishing your accounting degree online, you will have the flexibility to choose from financial roles in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors.
Accounting is a career that can offer you:
- Job stability. The world always needs more accountants, and demand remains strong. It’s estimated Australia will need 338,362 accountants by 2026, with the industry experiencing a significant shortage of good talent.
- High earning potential. Experienced or specialist accountants can earn upwards of $100,000 per year.
- Freedom to travel with your work. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are becoming the norm in the accounting industry. Large firms like Deloitte and KPMG even allow employees to work remotely for extended periods while travelling overseas.
Which accounting course should I choose?
The right accounting course depends on your career goals and current qualifications. If you’d like to become a fully qualified accountant, you should consider a Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Commerce or a Bachelor of Business with a major in accounting. These qualifications are recognised by the main accounting bodies and will help you become accredited.
If you already hold a degree, you may be eligible to enrol directly into a postgraduate accounting qualification like a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Master of Professional Accounting, to advance in your career or specialise.
You can also study short courses and single subjects in accounting to upskill in a particular area, such as financial reporting or fraud prevention.
What will I learn in an accounting course?
An accounting course will help you build a strong foundation in accounting and finance, and you'll gain skills that will allow you to thrive in any business environment. Core topics include corporate law, taxation, auditing and assurance, financial management, and economics.
Many online accounting courses also offer opportunities to specialise in high-demand areas such as:
- Data analytics for accounting
- Taxation law
- Financial decision-making and strategy
- Management accounting
- Sustainability accounting
- Business management and leadership
Not quite what you’re looking for? You might like to explore related courses in financial planning, finance, taxation, business law, or management.
What are the entry requirements for accounting?
Entry requirements depend on the accounting course you’d like to pursue. For a bachelor degree, you’ll typically need a high school certificate or equivalent. For postgraduate qualifications, you may need a relevant bachelor degree or experience.
If you don’t meet the requirements, you can get into some undergraduate accounting degrees through us by enrolling in our Business Open Degree Pathway. This removes entry requirements altogether.
Get in touch to ask us more about your course eligibility and we can help you find the best path forward.
How long is an accounting course?
It depends on what you choose to study, if you're getting qualified for the first time, or if you're studying to specialise.
Here’s a general guide:
Course | Duration |
---|---|
Single subject | 10-18 weeks |
Short course | 10-18 weeks |
Undergraduate certificate | 6 months (if full time) |
Diploma | 1 year (if full time) |
Associate degree | 2 years (if full time) |
Bachelor degree | 3 years (if full time) |
Graduate certificate | 6 months (if full time) |
Graduate diploma | 1 year (if full time) |
Masters degree | 2 years (if full time) |
If you study a degree in law through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.
What other career opportunities can I explore after studying accounting?
Studying accounting will give you valuable skills in communication, reporting, analysis, decision-making, and problem-solving. These skills can lead to exciting career opportunities in various industries. Potential roles include:
- Practicing accountant
- Tax accountant and advisor
- Forensic accountant
- Business advisor
- Auditor or risk consultant
With an online accounting degree, you may also be eligible for membership in professional bodies such as CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). This recognition can help you stand out in the job market and open doors to international opportunities.
Whether you choose to work in government, for private companies, or in the not-for-profit space, your accounting qualification will help you explore a flexible and rewarding career.
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.
Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.
For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.
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