Master of Professional Accounting
La Trobe University
Key Information
Select location
Campus location
Melbourne, Australia
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
18 months
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
AUD 39,800 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* additional fees may apply
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Become a trusted authority in business information.
Looking for your path to a career as a qualified professional accountant?
Become an expert with in-demand skills when you study La Trobe's Master of Professional Accounting.
In this accredited degree, you'll build expertise in existing and emerging accounting information systems and data analytics tools. Investigate the fields underpinning modern accounting, including business law, taxation, finance and economics. Connect with industry and professional accounting bodies during your studies and prepare for career success.
Learn how to solve accounting problems across a diverse variety of business contexts. With lectures delivered by leading academics and guest industry experts, you'll get a well-rounded perspective on contemporary accounting issues – ranging from industry-specific measurement issues to the impact of global harmonisation on financial reporting practices.
La Trobe's Master of Professional Accounting is a direct Pathway to becoming a qualified professional accountant. If you have limited exposure to accounting or are forging a new path, this degree will develop your theoretical and technical knowledge and skills to build your dream career.
Key features
- Hear directly from business leaders through guest lectures and learn practical business skills from our leading academics.
- Study a degree that supports your ambition. This direct Pathway to becoming a qualified accountant can be completed in just 18 months – or even sooner if you're eligible for credit exemptions.
- Gain hands-on experience in IBM Cognos, SAP Lumira and Microsoft Power BI to design and develop analytics solutions.
- Enjoy a flexible study experience. If your plans change, your study can too – including the option to exit early with a Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting if you complete the required subjects.
- Be supported while you study. Explore our range of scholarships available to business students.
Program Outcome
You'll learn:
- Accounting principles, information systems and analytics
Understand how to record business transactions, prepare financial statements and evaluate business performance. Use the accounting and data analytics tools to analyse data and assist decision-making. - Management Accounting
Understand how to provide organisational decision-makers with relevant accounting information to assist with strategic planning, controlling and performance management. - Financial accounting and reporting
Apply international and Australian accounting standards involving measurement and professional judgement in a variety of practical scenarios. - Auditing and assurance
Explore the nature and purpose of auditing and assurance. Understand the responsibilities of auditors in the context of reporting quality information. - Taxation
Learn the fundamentals of the taxation system and its implications for individuals and businesses.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9 - Masters Degree.
Career Opportunities
Accountants and accountancy expertise are vital for organisations in every industry – so after graduation, you could find roles in private enterprises, government departments, the not-for-profit sector and beyond.
Possible roles include:
- Business analyst
Assist with start-up structuring, valuation and financing. Review existing business operations to help with strategy, business planning, and identifying and implementing performance improvements. - Financial accountant
Take responsibility for financial reporting, including end-of-year financial reports, reconciliations and statutory obligations. Help provide stakeholders with reliable information for decision-making. - Management accountant
Help your organisation evaluate past performance and plan for the future. Analyse financial and non-financial data to assist in decision-making and advise on the implications of business decisions. - Auditor
Use modern auditing and data analytics tools to give internal and external clients assurance about an organisation's operations. - Taxation accountant
Advise on taxation issues for individuals and organisations. Manage, prepare and submit reports, including tax returns and other statements, and advise clients on how to manage their income.
Salaries for business analysts in Australia range from an average of A$82 000 to upwards of A$112 000.*
*PayScale, 2021, Average Business Analyst, IT Salary in Australia
Professional recognition
The Master of Professional Accounting is accredited by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and recognized by the global accounting professional body Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Professional membership may require an application to the professional body and may have additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.
Graduates of the Master of Professional Accounting may apply for membership with the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Membership may be subject to additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.
Curriculum
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure.
To qualify for the award of Master of Professional Accounting, students must complete a total of 180 credit points across 2 years.
Year 1
Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points
including:
- 120 credit points from chosen Core
Year 2
Year 2 requires the completion of 60 credit points
including:
- 15 credit points from chosen Capstone
- 45 credit points from chosen Core