Master of Professional Accounting

The Master of Professional Accounting will prepare you for practice as a professional accountant.

You will develop analytical, general business management and problem-solving skills, and gain a comprehensive understanding of accounting practice.

Your studies will focus on financial and management accounting, finance, commercial law, taxation law and auditing.

You’ll study contemporary research and real-life case studies with the opportunity to complete an industry placement in Australia or overseas.

You will graduate well-equipped for a global career, knowledgeable in areas such as commerce, tax, financial management, and public practice.

Our summer and winter schools offer exciting study and learning opportunities.

With options such as intensives and internships, you can spread your study load across the year and increase your exchange opportunities.

If you already have a business degree or another related qualification, you could be eligible for Advanced Standing and complete this degree in just 1.5 years.

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have one of the following:

• A completed bachelor degree* from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent; or
• A completed graduate diploma* from a recognised higher education institution*; or
• A completed graduate certificate* from a recognised higher education institution*.

Applicants who have:

• completed a bachelor degree in a business discipline; or
• completed a bachelor degree which includes a major in business, commerce, marketing or management; or
• completed a graduate certificate in a business discipline,

are eligible to enter the program with 0.5 EFTSL (18 units) Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1.5 years of full time study or equivalent part time study.

In the Master of Professional Accounting you will study five core courses and nine accounting specialisation courses. You will gain a solid grounding in the latest accounting methods by studying areas in auditing, taxation, management accounting and corporate finance. You will also study two electives as part of your studies. One of your elective options is a 150-hour industry placement either in Australia or overseas.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

Our teaching staff are industry experienced and maintain close working links with leading professional bodies such as CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. This collaboration ensures the knowledge you take into your career will meet the dynamic needs of industry, and your qualification remains relevant and applicable.

While you study you can get valuable industry experience through industry placements in Australia, or an international study experience through more than 60 exchange partners across Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Our links to UniSA’s research facilities ensure your learning is connected in to the latest technologies, theories and applications of knowledge.

Placements and internships bridge the gap between study and work. Our connections to industry create opportunities for you to grow. These experiences build confidence in the business world and give you a competitive edge.

Your career

Graduates of this degree use their broad range of skills and specialist knowledge to pursue management roles, both locally and abroad.

You could consider roles such as senior accountant, corporate tax consultant, business adviser, insolvency adviser and management accountant in areas such as:

• auditing
• business advisory
• financial reporting
• management accounting
• tax

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the relevant SATAC code (see below) then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

You may be eligible for Advanced Standing. When applying through SATAC, please refer to the codes below. If you are uncertain about your eligibility, please include more than one SATAC code in your list of application preferences.

• 2 years - SATAC CODE 4CM183
• 1.5 years - SATAC CODE 4CM184

What is Advanced Standing?

Advanced Standing for previous studies means you can complete the requirements of this qualification in less than 2 years. You can apply if you have successfully completed one of these (please see entry requirements for further details):

• a bachelor degree in a business discipline
• a bachelor degree which includes a major in business, commerce, marketing or management
• a graduate certificate in a business discipline

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and areas that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

The Business Student Hub is a convenient, central support service for business students, from first year through to graduation. The team provides expert advice on study options, elective choices and any academic difficulties. It also helps with referrals to support services across the University. The Business Student Hub is there to facilitate your life at university, so you get the most out of your UniSA experience.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.