Graduate Certificate in Accounting

The Graduate Certificate in Accounting is a course that will service the needs of students requiring four or fewer units for accreditation with the professional accounting bodies.

It can serve as an entry and exit point for the Master of Professional Accounting.

The course comprises four units (that is 24 credit points) and is usually used to supplement existing studies in accounting to satisfy the entry requirements of the professional accounting organisations.

Subjects are drawn from the Master of Professional Accounting and may cover introductory as well as advanced units in accounting, finance, systems, law, auditing, economics and business statistics.

Course Aims

The Graduate Certificate in Accounting is designed to meet the needs of non-graduates seeking entry into the Master of Professional Accounting course as well as graduates who need four or less units in accounting and finance to gain accreditation with the Professional Accounting Organisations. Students take four units from the Master of Professional Accounting at an introductory level (if entering the program) or at a more advanced level to complete requirements for accreditation with the Professional Accounting Organisations.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate specialised knowledge within the accounting discipline to undertake professional work in accounting, and demonstrate the ability to communicate that knowledge; identify issues in accounting and finance, collect relevant data, critically evaluate a range of solutions to address complex problems and recommend the best course of action; communicate effectively with both accounting and non-accounting professionals on complex accounting and finance issues; make ethical decision on issues relevant to accounting and finance, and demonstrate clear knowledge of your responsibility and accountability for the decisions and those of others involved in its implementation; and integrate theoretical and technical accounting knowledge to demonstrate the ability to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within specialised accounting contexts.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Demonstrate an awareness of the global and international developments within the accounting discipline, including international regulatory frameworks. Communication Skills Communicate to a range of stakeholders using appropriate methods to present technical information and build rapport, whilst recognising the particular importance of adequate disclosure of information and transparency in the accounting profession. Problem Solving Apply logical, critical and creative thinking to a range of problems; identify critical issues in the discipline or professional area; conceptualise problems and formulate a range of solutions that are appropriate to the national or cultural context of the problem; collect, collate and analyse relevant information to assist problem solving. Information Literacy Recognise the need for information and the nature and extent of information required; collect information effectively and efficiently; critically evaluate information; use appropriate technology, methods and techniques to collect and evaluate information; and present information in formats relevant to the accounting discipline. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Demonstrate ethical action and social responsibility in their personal, professional and community lives; demonstrate respect for, and acknowledgement of, ideas and knowledge of others; acknowledge the social and ethical implications of their actions; recognise social justice issues relevant to their discipline and professional area; understand the international implications of local decisions and the local implications of international decisions; appreciate the importance of sustainable development; identify occupational risk and apply duty of care principles. Lifelong Learning Reflect on limitations of, and have the capacity to, evaluate their current knowledge; identify, evaluate and implement personal learning strategies for lifelong personal and professional development; practice critical thinking; learn both independently and cooperatively; learn new skills and apply learning to new and unexpected situations; recognise opportunities for further learning in both familiar and unfamiliar national or cultural settings. Independence and Collaboration Work in a team or collaboratively within a multidisciplinary group to achieve common goals and to solve problems; contribute specialist knowledge as required; take responsibility and carry out agreed tasks; take initiative and lead others; operate in a range of supportive roles within teams; negotiate, assert their own values and respect the values and contributions of others; and evaluate team performance. Graduates also become aware of the multicultural environment, acting with dignity and showing respect to the fellow members of the group.