Graduate Diploma in Accounting

The Graduate Diploma in Accounting is designed to develop students’ technical and analytical capabilities as highly valuable accounting and business professionals. The diploma is designed to develop in students the ability to identify and discuss contemporary issues in accounting, auditing and related disciplines as reflected in national and international regulatory pronouncements and the general and business press. Students completing the diploma will enhance their capacity to apply knowledge of relevant commerce-related disciplines to understand and evaluate alternative approaches to contemporary business issues in diverse areas including valuation, performance measurement and control systems, and corporate governance.

1. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable of contemporary accounting issues.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe contemporary accounting issues, practices and methods as reflected in accounting research, national and international accounting regulator activities and pronouncements; and
• Explain developments of contemporary accounting issues.

2. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be capable of selecting and applying appropriate methods to resolve accounting issues and problems.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Apply theories and tools developed from the discipline of accounting and fields relating closely to accounting such as finance and economics to critically evaluate accounting issues and problems; and
• Analyse, evaluate and communicate the implications of applying accounting theory, tools, techniques and approaches in a variety of management decision settings.

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Accounting will need to successfully complete 8 x 12.5 point subjects comprising at least five core and up to three elective Master of Accounting subjects, over two semesters full-time or four semesters part-time.

All four of the following subjects:

At least one of the following two subjects:

Elective Subjects:

Elective may be chosen from the Master of Accounting subject list, or subject to the approval of the Academic Program Director.

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria:

• An undergraduate degree in accounting or equivalent;
• The applicant’s submitted statement of intent in seeking entry; and
• Performance on the GMAT or GRE unless the applicant has met one of the approved conditions for GMAT or GRE exemption.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

3. Students who have successfully completed the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) PY/CA Program or the CPA Australia CPA Program may receive a credit for a maximum of four elective Master of Accounting subjects.

The Faculty of Business and Economics welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the Faculty’s programs.

The BCom and Masters degrees of the Faculty of Business and Economics equip graduates with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business world. The degrees include the following academic requirements for study:

(1) The ability to explain and evaluate concepts, theories, institutional arrangements and operations of modern mixed economies; (2) The ability to critically evaluate the economy, commerce and business in the broader social and political context; (3) The ability to explain and apply concepts across a range of commerce and business disciplines in solving business and policy problems; and (4) The ability to contribute positively to the development of organisations and society in relation to business, government and the commercial professions.

All students of the Faculty’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the Faculty. Candidates for the BCom degree and for FBE Masters degrees must have abilities and skills in communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

I. Communication: The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and/or written form. A student must have the ability to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of a discipline, principles or practices during assessment tasks, and in some discipline streams.

II. Intellectual‐Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem‐solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish study plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities. Students should also have the ability to comprehend complex disciplinary and cross disciplinary information related to the BCom and Masters degrees.

III. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A student must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment and the emotional health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students. Integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are deemed necessary for students enrolled in FBE courses.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving the inherent academic requirements of the BCom and FBE Masters courses are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit. Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, but students should participate in the course in an independent manner.

On successful completion of this course, students will be:

• Competent in identifying and evaluating accounting issues and problems;
• Capable of critical thinking in relation to accounting issues and problems;
• Able to synthesise and evaluate accounting data and other accounting information;
• Clear in articulating accounting issues and ideas to a range of audiences in written and oral form; and
• Collaborative in their work practice.

On successful completion of this degree students should have enhanced their skills in:

• Critical thinking in relation to current issues in accounting;
• Clarity in articulating accounting issues and ideas to a range of audiences in written and oral form;
• Synthesis and evaluation of accounting data and other accounting information;
• Problem identification and analysis of accounting issues; and
• Work with autonomy and collaboratively in teams.

Students seeking accreditation with CPA Australia / Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia etc please see the Master of Management (Accounting) entries.

Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Accounting may be eligible to progress to the Master of Accounting.