Master of Accounting

THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER OFFERED.

The overall aim of the Master of Accounting is to improve students' applied knowledge, skills and capabilities as accounting professionals and broaden students' horizons intellectually. The degree is designed to stimulate students' awareness of existing and emerging issues, and advance students' skills in identifying and solving accounting and business analysis problems of an applied nature.

1. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will have theoretical and technical knowledge 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;
• Explain the key policy issues in accounting;
• Explain developments of contemporary accounting issues in valuation, performance measurement, control systems, accounting information technology and corporate governance; and
• Critically discuss contemporary accounting issues.

2. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be capable of using initiative and creativity to theorise, synthesize, analyse, evaluate, resolve accounting issues and problems.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

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

• Apply findings and tools from relevant accounting literature to critically evaluate accounting and business issues and problems;
• Demonstrate creativity and initiative by adapting and applying theories and tools developed from the discipline of accounting and fields relating closely to accounting such as finance and economics to synthesize, analyse and evaluate accounting problems;
• Analyse, evaluate and communicate the implications of applying accounting tools, techniques and approaches in a variety of management decision settings; and
• With a high level of personal autonomy and accountability apply accounting knowledge and tools to contemporary issues impacting accounting practice.

The Master of Accounting program consists of sixteen semester-length subjects comprising eight core subjects, three capstone subjects and five elective subjects over four semesters full-time or eight semesters part-time.

Core Subjects

Students must take the following eight core subjects:

Capstone Subjects

Students must take the following three capstone subjects:

Elective Subjects

Students can select five elective subjects from the FBE Masters level offerings, including the list below. This choice will be subject to the student having the required pre-requisite subject(s) and the approval of the Program Director and subject coordinator. Recommended electives:

The below elective subjects can only be taken with written permission from the Academic Program Director:

Recommended Course Plan

For Semester 1 intake:

YEAR ONE

Semester 1:

ACCT90026 Business Forensics

ACCT90002 Financial Statement Analysis

FNCE90018 Corporate Financial Policy

Elective

Semester 2:

ACCT90031 Sustainability Accounting

ECON90045 Microeconomics 2

ACCT90005 Issues in Corporate Reporting

Elective

YEAR TWO

Semester 1:

ACCT90007 Advanced Auditing and Assurance Services

MULT90014 Business Risk Management

Elective

Elective

Semester 2:

ACCT90006 Strategic Management Accounting

ACCT90008 Accounting Information and Security Valuation

BISY90009 Managing Information Technology

Elective

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.

Note: 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 critically evaluating accounting issues and problems;
• Capable of advanced critical and strategic thinking in relation to accounting issues and problems;
• Analytical in their identification and application of relevant decision making frameworks in addressing specific accounting 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 particularly 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.

This program is no longer offered as of 2015-no further student intakes allowed.

Students seeking accreditation with CPA Australia / Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia should see the Master of Management (Accounting) entry.

Students who include a Winter Semester subject as one of their final subjects in the Master of Accounting course may not be eligible to graduate from the program until after results are released in December of the same year.

Students enrolled in the Master of Accounting who are either unable, or who choose not to continue with their studies, may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Diploma in Accounting. Students must have successfully completed eight subjects comprising five core and three elective Master of Accounting subjects approved by the Academic Program Director to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Accounting.