Master of Professional Accounting

1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time

Learning and teaching

RMIT's new Swanston Academic Building, offers interactive lecture and tutorial spaces, lectorial theatres, small-group rooms and other innovative spaces.

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work. These are primarily in English.

You will have access to the Learning Hub and other online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects and practical assignments.

Program structure

You must complete 144 credit points, which generally equals 12 courses (12 credit points each).

This includes the compulsory work-integrated learning course, Management and Cost Accounting, 5 additional core courses and 6 electives.

Currently no program handbook (program guide) is available online. Please contact the school listed under "Owning school" below.

This program has been developed in consultation with stakeholders including: employers, professional bodies, alumni and students, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Guiding the development of the College of Business, both nationally and internationally, is an Industry Advisory Board of high-profile executives chaired by Gerhard Vorster, Chief Strategy Officer, Deloitte. The Board creates a strategic bridge between the latest in technology and design thinking and business.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

Graduates work in the following sectors:

• Public accounting practice - supporting staff teams in areas such as auditing, taxation, management consulting, business services and receivership.
• Commercial and government organisations - in roles such as treasury, internal audit, strategic business planning, financial reporting and management accounting.

Graduate roles may include:

• reporting to senior management on the resources of the organisation
• monitoring the cash flow and financial resources of the organisation
• advising business on strategies for increased profits - providing financial advice
• preparing financial reports, reconciling accounts and maintaining registers and records
• evaluating business plans
• refining financial systems
• providing taxation advice
• running a small business

Professional recognition and accreditation

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) is specifically designed to comply with the accreditation requirements of the professional accounting bodies in Australia: CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Successful completion of specific courses within the MPA entitles you to apply for associate membership of CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Institute of Public Accountants.

You must then undertake the chosen professional body's qualification program and gain three years' relevant practical experience to gain full membership.

Each year, the School of Accounting conducts international study tours to Thailand and offers two multi-country international study programs to Europe and North America.

In addition to the global perspective provided by our international experienced lecturers, an overseas study experience gives you the chance to visit a foreign location and complete a 24-credit-point course in intensive mode

You must meet the University entry requirements for this type of program.

If you satisfy the following requirements you will be eligible for selection; however, there is no guarantee that you will be selected as demand for the program varies each intake.

Program entry requirements

An Australian equivalent bachelor degree in any discipline except accounting from a recognised tertiary institution with a minimum average of 60% or Credit or GPA 2.0 (out of 4.0).

Prerequisites

None

Selection tasks

None

1. Check program entry requirements and confirm you're eligible.

2. Check and complete the selection tasks (if applicable) by the relevant closing date - these tasks are listed in the program entry requirements.

3. Check the table below for how to apply.

4. Apply using the appropriate method by the closing date.

Application method

Tuition fees vary according to each program and are adjusted annually.

There are 2 tuition fee types:

• full fees where you will be responsible for the full cost
• Commonwealth supported place (CSP) fees where your tuition fee is shared between you and the Commonwealth Government if you meet the eligibility criteria. There are only a small number of CSPs available.

Fee assistance

As a full fee-paying student, you may be eligible to apply for the optional FEE-HELP loan scheme to assist you to pay all or part of your tuition fees.

As a Commonwealth supported student, you may be able to either:

• pay all or part of your student contribution up front and receive a 10% discount, or
• defer payment through the HECS-HELP loan scheme.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds. Learn more about RMIT Scholarships.

Other fees

Students will be required to purchase materials for use in the production of their practical work.

In addition to tuition fees you will also pay the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF). You may be able to defer the fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme.

There may be other additional expenses and administrative fees associated with your studies.

Advanced standing

Graduates of RMIT's Juris Doctor program may be eligible to receive up to 8 course exemptions from the MPA. This will depend on equivalent course content and are assessed on a case-by-case basis. In general, credit for prior undergraduate study is not granted in the MPA.

Learn more about pathways or if you are eligible for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Further study

Business research programs are offered at master and doctoral level.

Accounting

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