Master of Accounting
| CRICOS PROVIDER NO | 068698K |
| COURSE CODE | BMAC |
| LOCATION | Sydney |
| INTAKES | March – July – November |
| DURATION | Three semesters of study |
| FEE | A$8,400 PER SEMESTER |
The Master of Accounting course offers the opportunity for students to gain technical skills and conceptual knowledge in financial accounting; management accounting; finance; auditing and assurance; commercial and corporations law; taxation; information systems; economics and quantitative methods essential for the professional accountant in today s global environment. Graduates will develop generic skills commonly applied in practice and valued by employers and professional bodies including analytic, appreciative, personal and interpersonal skills. The course provides the opportunity for students with a Bachelor degree in other disciplines to gain entry to the accounting profession. Studies are more closely aligned to professional accounting requirements by reducing duplication of curriculum areas. The courses also offers flexible study arrangements in a vibrant environment.
CAREER
Accountancy, finance and management positions
Professional Recognition
Graduates will meet the entry requirements for CPA Australia (Associate Membership), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Tax Agent’s Board of Victoria. The number of exemptions given to students will depend on the recognition of overseas studies given by the Australian Professional Bodies. Students can obtain further information by visiting the CPA Australia website (www.cpaaustralia.com.au) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants In Australia (www.icaa.org.au)
English language requirements
To be eligible, you must have achieved an overall IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) (Academic Module) score of 6.5 with no band less than 6; or an internet-based TOEFL score of 92 with no section score less than 22; or a computer-based TOEFL score of 237 with an Essay Rating (ER) score of 5; or a paper-based TOEFL score of 580 with a TWE (Test of Written English) score of 5; or an EAP University Preparation UP1 (PG) at VU’s English Language Institute (ELI). Students who do not meet the English requirements can undertake an intensive English course at: VICTORIA UNIVERSITY’S ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE (ELI) www.vu.edu.au/eli
Academic requirements
Academic requirements for masters degrees are an undergraduate degree that is comparable to an Australian bachelor degree or a graduate diploma.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Students who wish to enhance their accounting skills select eight of the following subjects:
- Accounting for Public Sector Managers
- The Professional Accountant and Effective Communication
- Contemporary Issues in Financial Accounting
- Contemporary Issues in Management Accounting
- Contemporary Issues in Corporate Finance
- Financial Analysis
- Advanced Forecasting, Planning and Control
- Managerial Control Systems
- Comparative International Accounting
- Accounting Project
Plus
- Business Research Methods and
- Minor Thesis
Or
- Business Research Methods and
- Three further subjects approved by the School of Accounting and Finance Students wishing to obtain specialist professional accounting qualifications will undertake the following units of study:
- Reporting and Professional Practice
- Corporate Governance and Accountability
- Business Research Methods
Plus three of the following units of study
- Treasury
- Taxation
- Strategic Management Accounting
- Financial Accounting
- Assurance Services and Auditing
Plus six of the following
- Accounting for Public Sector Managers
- Professional Accounting and Effective Communication
- Contemporary Issues in Financial Accounting
- Contemporary Issues in Management Accounting
- Contemporary Issues in Corporate Finance
- Financial Analysis
- Advanced Forecasting, Planning and Control
- Managerial Control Systems
- Comparative International Accounting
- Accounting Project
Some Courses of Study
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
The unit of study aims to re-acquaint students with the background of financial reporting as a precursor to visiting theory development, disclosure problems and emerging issues. This unit of study includes the following topics: historical perspective of accounting; financial reporting framework; an Australian context; theories in financial accounting; measurement and theory development; conceptual framework; a critique; asset disclosure; liability disclosure; contextual problems; emerging issues.
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
The unit of study aims: to build on the knowledge gained in undergraduate courses and from work experience in the field of management accounting; to enhance research skills in examining the current issues in management accounting; to examine the use of resources available for problem solving and research; to apply recent research to modern day management problems. Topics covered include: an historical perspective of management accounting; management accounting and information system design focusing on product costing, cost management, performance measurement, reward systems and incentives. Each topic is considered in the strategic context and where appropriate, an operational context.
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CORPORATE FINANCE
This unit of study involves advanced study of the theory of corporate finance and examines its application to corporate policy issues. This unit of study includes the following topics: introduction to finance including a review of financial analysis; valuation, mergers, restructuring and corporate control; portfolio theory, capital asset pricing model and arbitrage pricing theory and efficient capital markets; capital structure, valuation and cost of capital; capital budgeting; dividend policy; international financial management; option pricing theory; working capital management and treasury management.
Financial Analysis
The unit of study aims to provide students with a framework for effective and efficient use of financial statement information for business analysis. The unit of study identifies and examines the key components of effective financial statement analysis; business strategy analysis, accounting analysis, financial analysis, and prospective analysis. This framework is applied to a variety of decision contexts including security analysis, credit analysis, corporate financing policies analysis, merger and acquisition analysis, and management communications analysis
Advanced Forecasting, Planning and Control
The unit of study aims to develop studies' ability to analyse and present solutions to financial planning and management problems using a rang eof methods including spreadsheet and modelling, data analysis and forecasting techniques, information and decision support systems and executive information systems. Hands on use of appropriate software will be an essential feature of the unit of study and assessment tasks.
Managerial Control Systems
On completion of this unit of study students should be able to apply analytical reasoning in solving management accounting problems via case analysis; treat management accounting topics to a systematic and in-School analysis; understanding and appraise management accounting research work. The unit of study includes the following topics: corporate strategy and management performance measurement and management; reward systems and control; cost system design.
Accounting Project
In an increasingly complex and competitive business environment, accountants with business research skills are in a position to address the information needs of organisations. The aim of the unit of study is to equip students with the knowledge and skills in research methods necessary for the undertaking and evaluation of business research projects. The project proposal must be well defined and achievable, and must be approved before the project proceeds, project report consisting of 10,000 words.
