This course has been accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Master of Professional Accounting
Duration: 2 years full-time/4 years part-time
Delivery: On campus
Credit points: 96 credit points (16 units of 6 credit points each)
CRICOS CODE: 106163M
Available to: Domestic (FEE-HELP)/International
IELTS: 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
AQF: Level 9
Tuition fee: International students: $9,240 semester/$36,960 total tuition fee
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Course overview
Excelsia College’s Master of Professional Accounting is a two-year postgraduate qualification comprising discipline and professional study. The course is 96 credit points in total. Students undertake four core units per semester over two years.
Reasons to study this program:
• It is a globally recognised qualification.
• The program focuses on ethical and responsible accounting.
• It has an authentic curriculum where lessons can be immediately applied.
Where this will take me
Our Master of Professional Accounting graduates look forward to employment in or, the formation of their own accounting practices. The qualification could lead to roles such as chief financial officers, chief information officers, financial controllers, company secretaries, financial analysts and planners, tax and estate advisers, financial and management accountants, auditors, system designers, investment advisors and managers.
First year
Accounting for Managers
Accounting for Managers helps aspiring postgraduate students to be good managers and make sound business decisions from financial and accounting perspectives.
Business Economics
This unit covers economic theories with a focus on business. A study on both macro-economics and micro-economics will deepen students’ knowledge of business based on economic reasoning.
Professional Ethics
To develop students with the appropriate ethical attitudes in business, case studies will be analysed from both positive and negative perspectives.
Business Information Management
This unit explores the dynamic of technological advancement in the digital world and how that affects the business in data and information management. There is special focus on internal control using the five components of the Committee of Sponsoring Organization (COSO) of the Treadway Commission frameworks.
Data Analytics in Accounting
This unit uses mathematical formulae and analytical tools to examine business data. Students will be taught to use a range of financial and statistical tools to examine financial reports for making sound business decisions.
Strategic Management Accounting
Students will advance their skills in management accounting by learning complex issues such as:
• transfer pricing
• dashboard reporting
• balanced scorecard
• performance management on strategy alignment.
Companies and Securities Law
This unit is an introduction to various Australian laws and regulations that govern the business world, e.g. the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). This unit extends a student’s knowledge from a basic understanding of the Australian business laws to a more detailed study on various regulations on a company such as contract law, tort, and director duties.
Advanced Financial Accounting
Students will advance their skills in financial accounting by learning complex issues such as:
• lease accounting
• intangibles assets
• earnings per share
• positive accounting theories.
Second year
Stewardship and Governance
This unit provides a deep understanding of the rules and regulations that govern the professional conduct of an accountant or business executive. Students will review the current implications of major accounting standards.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
In this unit, Excelsia will introduce to students the importance of being ethical.
Topics covered include:
• corporate and social responsibility
• sustainable accounting
• fraud
• internal control.
Taxation Law
This unit covers an important skill for students to learn to become a good professional accountant. In this subject, students will learn the basic calculations of Australian taxation including the underlying theories and governing laws.
Advanced Financial Analysis
Students will learn all financial reporting on complex business structures per the statutory requirements. Analytical reviews are also discussed to determine the true position of the business and its directions.
Corporate Accounting and Company Structures
Students develop advanced accounting skills based on large and complex companies with multiple structures and global presence.
This is a specialised area of accounting for the corporate world, preparing students for a promising career with multinationals.
Capital Market and Corporate Finance
This unit looks at the dynamics of the capital market and how corporates finance their various projects and ventures e.g. debt financing and equity financing.
The decision-making process on large capital investments will also be explored. Students will use tools such as Net Present Value (NVP), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Discount Cash Flow (DCF).
Audit and Assurance
Audit is an integral part of accounting as financial statements of large and listed companies must be reviewed by an auditor. Students will be required to learn all the key concepts with regards to auditing, assurance and associated risk management.
Contemporary Issues in Accounting
Students will keep up-to-date on all accounting related issues that are affecting specific industries or the business world at large.
Current development on accounting standards (e.g. lease) will also be discussed and explored.
Educational prerequisites
(a) Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) from an Australian higher education institution; or
(b) A qualification recognised as equivalent by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or
(c) Other qualifications and experience as may, on application by the student, be deemed equivalent to (a) by the Academic Board of the College.
Applicants with higher education
A student’s entry qualification need not include studies in business, management or related fields, but studies in these fields would be an advantage.
English language proficiency requirements
Applicants whose qualifying undergraduate studies were taken in a language other than English will be required to demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to the IELTS Academic minimum overall result of 6.5 with no band score below 6.0.
For test score equivalencies for alternative tests visit the International Students page.
Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
If the applicant is successful they will be issued an offer letter and a written agreement. Students will need to respond to the offer within 6 weeks. This is done online and a confirmation will be emailed back to the applicant. At this point, applicants are welcome to apply for Credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you are eligible for credit or RPL, you may be exempt from completing some units and you may be able to finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.
Please refer to the Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy reference.
Download the Student Selection and Admission Policy and Procedure.
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