B6038 Master of Accounting

The course is structured in two parts: Part A. Mastery knowledge and Part B. Electives

Part A. Mastery Knowledge

These units draw on the best and current accounting practice to develop your capacity as a critical professional who is able to apply your knowledge of a specialisation to provide discipline-based solutions in complex commerce environments. 

Part B. Electives

These units can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You will be able to expand your knowledge and skills in accounting and related disciplines by following one of two options available: coursework or research. Electives may be taken from study tours, consulting projects or industry placements. Alternatively you may select units from across the University in which you are eligible to enrol.

In order to undertake the research option, you will be required to achieve academic prerequisites and complete a formal interview process. If you are interested in the research option you should consult the Course Coordinator. 

Master's entry points

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• If you are admitted at entry level 1 you complete 72 credit points, comprising Part A and Part B.
• If you are admitted at entry level 2 you complete 48 credit points, comprising Part A.

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete the higher point option.

Research pathway

The research pathway in the Master of Accounting is available to you on application only. To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following prerequisite:

Completion of the following four units with an overall minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70, with no mark of less than 60 for any unit.

• ACF5100 Strategic management accounting
• ACF5120 Forensic accounting and fraud examination
• ACF5150 Financial reporting issues
• ACF5330 Integrated systems for business enterprises

The Course Coordinator will invite you (via email) to apply for the research pathway prior to November of each year. The application process will require submission of a statement of purpose, and eligible candidates will be shortlisted for interview by a three member academic panel convened by the Course Coordinator.

Due to availability of units and progression requirements, the research pathway is available to full-time students who commence the course at:

• Entry level 1 commencing semester two of an academic year 

Part-time students interested in the research pathway should contact the Course Coordinator.

Students undertaking the double degree with the Master of Global Business or the Master of Management cannot undertake the Research pathway in the Master of Accounting.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course comprises 72 credit points structured into two parts: Part A. Mastery knowledge (48 credit points), Part B. Electives (24 credit points).  

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated

Part A. Mastery knowledge (48 credit points)

You must complete either a coursework or research pathway.

a. Coursework pathway

You must complete the following seven units (42 credit points):

• ACF5100 Strategic management accounting
• ACF5120 Forensic accounting and fraud examination
• ACF5150 Financial reporting issues
• ACF5330 Integrated systems for business enterprises
• ACF5080 Management control systems*
• ACF5130 Financial statement analysis and business valuation*
• ACF5320 Business analytics*

You must complete one Capstone experience unit* (6 credit points) from the following:

Capstone experience units

• ACF5350 Applied contemporary accounting
• ACX5951 Accounting study tour
• BEX5001 Industry placement
• BEX5012 Industry placement (12 credit points)**

*If you meet the academic prerequisites, pass the application and selection process and are selected into the research pathway you must undertake four of the Honours units listed below. These units replace ACF5080 Management control systems, ACF5130 Financial statement analysis and business valuation, ACF5320 Business analytics, and the capstone experience unit.

**BEX5012 is a 12 credit point unit, if you undertake this as your capstone experience you will only need to complete 18 credit points in Part B.a

b. Research pathway (48 credit points)

The Research Pathway is not available to students entering at Entry level 2. Students undertaking the Double degree with Master of Global Business or Master of Management cannot undertake the Research Pathway.

You must complete the following four units (24 credit points):

• ACF5100 Strategic management accounting 
• ACF5120 Forensic accounting and fraud examination
• ACF5150 Financial reporting issues
• ACF5330 Integrated systems for business enterprises

You must complete the following three units (18 credit points): 

• ACX4000 Research methods 
• ACX4070 Issues in financial accounting and auditing
• ACX4090 Issues in management accounting and systems

You must also complete one additional Level 5 Accounting unit (6 credit points), to be chosen in consultation with the Accounting Honours coordinator. The following is a list of units you can consider:

• ACF5080 Management Control Systems
• ACF5130 Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation
• ACF5320 Business Analytics
• ACX5800 Accounting for climate change
• ACX5900 Accounting for sustainability

Part B. Electives (24 credit points)

You must complete either a. or b. (If you are completing the research pathway you must complete b).

a. Coursework pathway

You must complete four elective units (24 credit points) at level 5 from the Faculty of Business and Economics, which could include study tours, consulting projects or industry placements. In addition, units may be selected from across the University as long as you have met the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on enrolling in the units.

If you wish to complete the Fast track route to the CIMA professional qualification, you will need to complete ACF5000 and BFF5902 using two of your four elective units.

You are recommended to complete one of the following themes using your elective units.

Data Analytics

ETC5512 Wild-caught data
ETC5513 Collaborative & Reproducible Practices
ETC5242 Statistical thinking
ETC5550 Applied forecasting (prerequisite ETC5242 Statistical Thinking)

Sustainability

ACX5800 Accounting for climate change
ACX5900 Accounting for sustainability
BEX5200 Climate change & carbon management strategies
BTF5910 Corporate sustainability regulation

Governance and Risk Management

BTF5111 Technology risk and regulations in the digital era
MGF5020 Business ethics in a global environment
BTF5000 Corporate governance, risk and social responsibility
BTX5914 Scandal: Risk, Ethics and the Law

Forensic Accounting

ACF5120 Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination
ACF5080 Management Control Systems
ACF5320 Business Analytics
BTF5000 Corporate governance, risk and social responsibility

Valuation

ACF5130 Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation
BFF5525 Quantitative and data analysis in Python
BFF5580 Mergers and Acquisitions
BFF5520 Financial theory

b. Research pathway

You must complete: 

• ACF5003 Research project 1 (12 credit points)
• ACF5004 Research project 2 (12 credit points)