If COVID-19 restrictions apply, we may need to make changes to units and/or delivery modes.

Master of Professional Accounting
Masters by Coursework
MC-PRFACC
Outline
If you’re holding any bachelor degree and looking to break into the accounting field, this qualification will provide you with foundational accounting skills in your first year, before progressing to expert studies in your second year.

If COVID-19 restrictions apply, we may need to make changes to units and/or delivery modes.
Specialist pathways
Choose between one of three majors to further your skills as a Certified Professional Accountant, in information technology accounting or in managerial accounting.
Broad career options
Step into the world of accounting and build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to begin your professional career.
Top 1 %
Curtin is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Academic Ranking of World Universities 2021.
This two-year qualification will help you to step into the field of accounting and broaden your career prospects.
In your first year, you will begin to develop the financial, analytical, research and communication skills required of professional accountants, studying the same content as in our integrated Graduate Certificate in Accounting and Graduate Diploma in Accounting. You will build your understanding through theoretical study and real-life cases. You will then select between one of three majors in your second year.
You will develop hands-on experience using a range of software used in professional accounting firms, including Xero, Excel, R, Tableau, SPSS, Oracle, APEX, Pythion, ArcGIS and VSOviewer to enhance your employability. You will also undertake an accounting research project, where you will analyse the performance of a real company and prepare a financial analysis.
Towards the end of your course, you will undertake an industry-connected capstone experience, including an internship, research project or study tour. You will also be able to attend employee presentations to expand your networks, with past companies including Coca-Cola Amatil, Grant Thornton and Nexia.
Choose your major
In your second year, you’ll get to choose a major: a series of more than eight units in the same discipline.
CPA Australia
The CPA Australia major will provide you with specific tuition, to help you meet the requirements to become a Certified Practising Accountant with CPA Australia. You will be responsible for all fees set by CPA Australia, including subject exam fees.
Digital Technologies and Data Management
The Digital Technologies and Data Management major will improve your skills in information security, data management, programming, database design, database analytics and security, and business project management, to help you gain specific roles in information technology accounting.
Advanced Accounting
The Advanced Accounting major will provide you with advanced knowledge and skills in management accounting, financial accounting and auditing issues. You can choose from a list of optional units, including on finance and investment.
Note: If you do not hold a recognised bachelor degree, you should instead study the Graduate Diploma in Accounting. If you hold a bachelor degree in accounting, you should instead apply for the one-year Master of Accounting.
Why study
- The number of accountants in Australia continues to grow strongly, according to the ABS Labour Force Survey. When you complete this course, you will have built a solid foundation in accounting and be prepared to embark on a career in both small and large accounting firms, as well as organisations in the private and public sectors. You’ll expand your understanding of accounting through theoretical study and real-life cases.
- The Curtin Accounting Association can help to grow your network and connect you with industry. The association is run by Curtin accounting students and is sponsored by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants, EY, KPMG and the Curtin Student Guild.
Career information
Careers
- Certified Practising Accountant
- Senior accountant
- Chief Financial Officer
- Information technology accountant
- Accountant
- Auditor
- Business analyst
- Company secretary
- Insolvency consultant
- Internal auditor
- Tax agent
- Treasurer
Industries
- Accounting
- Finance and investment
- Government
- Law
- Resources and renewables
What you'll learn
- apply principles of financial accounting, managerial accounting, governance and auditing to grasp theoretical underpinnings of the discipline. Extend knowledge base with research and application of business research methods.
- apply critical and analytical thinking to develop innovative solutions to complex problems in relevant business fields.
- locate, extract and critically appraise information from a range of sources and effectively communicate it using structured financial or other appropriate language to a professional audience for a range of purposes.
- develop ongoing professional, self-directed and reflective education relating to developments and changes in the information requirements of a global financial system that is multi-perspective in nature, and apply international financial reporting standards.
- recognise that cultural practices and differences impact upon commercial endeavours and interpersonal relations. Work effectively in multicultural team environments.
- exhibit professional and ethical approach to analysing and reporting commercial activities demonstrating leadership, collaborative and independent qualities when required, in compliance with appropriate legislation and protocols.
Admission criteria
An undergraduate degree in any discipline OR Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting. In addition, you must meet Curtin's English language proficiency
Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.
IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) | |
---|---|
Writing | 6.0 |
Speaking | 6.0 |
Reading | 6.0 |
Listening | 6.0 |
Overall band score | 6.5 |
You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.
Advanced standing
At Curtin, we understand that everyone’s study journey has been different.
You may have already studied some of the units (subjects) listed in your Curtin course, or you may have work experience that matches the degree requirements.
If this applies to you, you can apply for credit for recognised learning (CRL), which means your previous study is recognised and matched against a similar unit in your intended Curtin course.
A successful CRL application exempts you from having to complete certain units within your course and means you could finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.
CRL is also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing and credit transfer.
Use the CRL search to find out how much CRL you qualify for, or contact us at:
Webform: Submit here
Curtin Connect: 1300 222 888
Fees & charges
Domestic fee paying postgraduate
Fee year: 2022
Student type | Cost |
---|---|
Domestic | $28,900* |
Fees are indicative only.
* Based on a first-year full-time study load of 200 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).
Location
For start dates, please view the academic calendar.
2022
Semester 2
- On campus
2023
Semester 1
- On campus
Semester 2
- On campus
2024
Semester 1
- On campus
Semester 2
- On campus
2025
Semester 1
- On campus
Semester 2
- On campus
All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.
The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.
How to apply
Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice
Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. Please view our application deadlines page for further information.
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See our frequently asked questions or get in touch with us below.
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- Opening hours:
- Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 4.30pm, except Tues: 9.30am – 4.30pm (AWST). Closed public holidays.
- Curtin course code: MC-PRFACC
- CRICOS code: 107625M
- Last updated on: 04/08/2022