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MC-PRFACC

Master of Professional Accounting

Master by coursework

If you hold a bachelor degree in any discipline and you're looking to break into the accounting field, this master will give you the expertise you need.

See full course structure
  • Qualification
    Master of Professional Accounting
  • Duration
    2 years full-time
  • Credit
    400
  • CRICOS
    107625M
  • Location
    Curtin Perth
See full course structure

Deadlines for applying direct to Curtin

Select your preferred campus:

Intake Application open Application close

Semester 1, 2023

15 August 2022

Applications now closed!

Semester 2, 2023

10 April 2023

14 July 2023

Semester 1, 2024

14 August 2023

8 February 2024

Semester 2, 2024

8 April 2024

4 July 2024

See full course structure

Why study Master of Professional Accounting at Curtin?

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 2022.

Outline

Outline

This two-year qualification will help you to step into the field of accounting and broaden your career prospects. You'll gain foundational accounting skills in your first year before progressing to expert studies in your second year.

In your first year of study, you will begin to develop the financial, analytical, research and communication skills required of professional accountants*. You'll build your understanding through theoretical study and real-life cases. You will then select one of three majors in your second year.

You'll have hands-on experience using professional accounting software such as Xero, Excel, R, Tableau, SPSS, Oracle, APEX, Pythion, ArcGIS and VSOviewer. To further enhance your employability, you'll also undertake an accounting research project, analysing the performance of a real company and preparing 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.

* This first-year content is the same as  our integrated Graduate Certificate in Accounting and Graduate Diploma in Accounting.

Choose your major

In your second year, you’ll choose a major (a series of more than eight units in the same discipline) from the three below:

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. Please note that you must meet the relevant CPA Australia fees (including examination 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, business project management, and database analytics and security, to help you gain specific roles in information technology accounting.

Advanced Accounting

In the Advanced Accounting major you will gain advanced knowledge and skills in management accounting, financial accounting and auditing issues. You can choose from a range 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.

What jobs can the Master of Professional Accounting lead to?

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
  • Corporate
  • Finance and investment
  • Health
  • Government
  • Law
  • Resources.

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

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

An undergraduate degree in any discipline OR Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting. In addition, you must meet Curtin's English language proficiency

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and charges

Domestic fee paying postgraduate

2023 Fee year:

$30,300*

Domestic

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).

Important fee information

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

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.

Apply now