Course description
Professional recognition
Completion of the appropriate selection of units within the Master of Professional Accounting grants eligibility for entry as an associate member of CPA Australia, and meets the educational requirements for entry into the CA program of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA).
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
This is a fee-paying course. Domestic students may be eligible for FEE-HELP assistance in paying these tuition fees. For more information about FEE-HELP go to http://www.deakin.edu.au/future-students/fees/
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course would typically seek employment in areas of accounting such as financial accounting, auditing, taxation, management accounting, public sector accounting, forensic accounting or commercial law. However accountants can choose to work in a range of different environments depending on their own skills and preferences. They can choose to work in large firms, small public practices, industry, government, law firms, management consultancies, banking and financial services, not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) or educational organisations. Many also set up their own businesses.
Given the fundamental shift of accountants towards a wide-ranging advisory role, career opportunities are also becoming available in other vocations including working as financial planners, investment advisers, market analysts, tax consultants, advisers in mergers and acquisitions, in corporate recovery and insolvency, treasury banking, e-commerce or information technology.
Course rules
The Master of Professional Accounting requires completion of 12 credit points comprising five core units and seven elective units.
Course structure
Core units
MAA702 Corporate Accounting 1 2
MAA703 Management Accounting 1 2
MAA704 Accounting Theory 1 2
MPA701 Accounting 1 2
MPF753 Finance 1 2
Elective units
Select 7 credit points of units from:
MAA705 Corporate Auditing 2 3
MLC703 Principles of Income Tax Law 2 3
MLM720 Introduction to Commercial Law 1 2
MLM731 Corporations Law 1 2
MPC701 Information Systems for Business 1
MPE781 Economics for Managers 1
MSQ791 Data Analysis for Managers 1
or units from the Master of International Finance and the Master of Wealth Management.
Other postgraduate units may be taken subject to the approval of the Course Team Chair.
Notes
1 Required by CPA Australia for Associate Membership
2 Required by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia for entry to the CA Program (9 units in all).
3 For candidates who have completed an accredited degree in Australia, this unit may be taken as part of the CPA program. Other students must complete the unit before becoming an Associate Member of CPA Australia. These other students must take 12 units in all so will have no electives in their MPA. Students should carefully note the trimesters when units are offered to ensure that all required units can be completed in the appropriate time frame.
Students who wish to enter the CA or CPA programs are advised that it is their responsibility to ensure that they take the appropriate units required for entry. Students who have completed prior undergraduate or graduate units in accounting or other core knowledge areas are advised to have their qualifications assessed by their preferred professional organisation to ensure they complete the correct units.
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide
Admission requirements - specific
Applicants for the Master of Professional Accounting must hold a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent). Completion of the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Accounting will also allow articulation into the Master of Professional Accounting.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
Applications must be made directly to the university through the Applicant Portal referring to closing dates for applications as dates for particular courses may vary.
Your faculty may require further information from you when submitting your application. Please refer to the faculty information website for further details.
Advanced Standing / Credit for Prior Study
Advanced standing into the Master of Professional Accounting may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate postgraduate studies. There are negotiated advanced standing arrangements in place for CPA members.
