B6038 Master of Accounting

The Master of Accounting is structured in two parts: Part A. Core studies and Part B. Elective studies (for Coursework pathway) or Research Project (for Research pathway).

Part A. Core studies

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. Elective studies or Research Project

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 director. 

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 director 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 director.

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 director.

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 of 72 credit points, structured in two parts: Part A. Core studies and Part B. Elective studies (Coursework pathway), or Part A. Core research studies and Part B. Research project (Research pathway). You must complete either the Coursework pathway or the Research pathway.

The Research pathway in the Master of Accounting is available by application only. The Course Director will invite you (via email) to apply for the Research pathway prior to November each year.

To be eligible to apply, you must have completed the following four units with an overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 70, and no mark below 60 in any of these units: ACF5100, ACF5120, ACF5150, and ACF5330.

If you are accepted into the Research pathway, you must complete the requirements of that pathway, which include the Specified Honours research studies and the Specified discipline studies. These units replace ACF5080, ACF5130, ACF5320, and the Capstone unit in the Coursework pathway.

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Coursework Pathway (72 credit points)

Part A. Core studies (48 credit points)

You must complete the following (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*

AND

Capstone studies (6 credit points)

You must complete one unit from the following list (6 credit points):

• ACF5350 Applied contemporary accounting
• ACX5951 Accounting study tour
• BEX5001 Industry placement
• BEX5012 Industry placement (12 credit points)**
• BEX5115 Tax Clinic

**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 

Part B. Elective studies (24 credit points)

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 can enrich your degree by honing your academic and professional skills through the Monash Innovation Guarantee (MIG). The MIG is your unique opportunity to collaborate with renowned industry leaders and design innovative solutions that result in real social change. MIG will give you the leadership skills you will need to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world and is your chance to make connections before you graduate. The MIG unit may be credited in place of a free elective as a 6 credit point unit option. For information on eligibility please see FREE.

It is recommended that you complete one of the following themes using your elective units.

Data analytics electives

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

Sustainability electives

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

Governance and risk management electives

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 electives

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

Valuation electives

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

Research Pathway (72 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.

Part A. Core studies (24 credit points)

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

Specified Honours research studies (18 credit points)

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

Specified discipline studies (6 credit points)

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

You must complete the following (24 credit points):

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