Accounting
UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR
The Accounting major provides capability and credibility across a broad spectrum of careers. It opens the door to many other markets and professions where the ability to understand and interpret financial information is the key capability. You will be provided with the opportunity to develop strong, technical, analytical and problem solving skills, while keeping abreast of contemporary issues in accounting practice. A feature of Sydney's program is that it takes an analytical perspective of how accounting is practised and how it should be practised. These and other questions are explored in an atmosphere that encourages a sense of enquiry.
Study plan
For a major in Accounting, a candidate completes:
(i) two junior units of study: BUSS1030 Accounting, Business and Society and ACCT1006 Accounting and Financial Management;
(ii) two compulsory senior units of study: ACCT2011 Financial Accounting A and ACCT2012 Management Accounting A); and
(iii) a minimum of 24 credit points in elective senior accounting units of study selected from the available elective options listed in the University of Sydney Business School handbook.
Course accreditation
For admission as an associate and for advancement to CPA status with CPA Australia or for admission to the Professional Year Program of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA), you must complete the following: (i) Seven compulsory accounting units of study (BUSS1030 Accounting, Business and Society; ACCT1006 Accounting and Financial Management; ACCT2011 Financial Accounting A; ACCT 2012 Management Accounting A; ACCT3011 Financial Accounting B; ACCT3012 Management Accounting B; ACCT3014 Auditing and Assurance);
(ii) Three compulsory Commercial Law units of study (CLAW1001 Foundations of Business Law; CLAW2201 Corporations Law; CLAW3201 Australian Taxation System.
(iii) One compulsory Finance unit of study (FINC2011 Corporate Finance 1).
In addition to these units, for CPA students must also complete: BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis (or ECMT1010), BUSS1040 Economics for Business Decision Making (or ECON1001 and ECON1002) and INFS2001 IS for Performance Improvement.
Graduate opportunities
The Accounting profession today is high profile and stimulating. Almost every business, public sector unit or not-for-profit organisation requires the services of an accountant at some stage. Graduates can look forward to working within an accounting practice or other public, private or third sector organisation in a wide variety of roles such as chief financial officers, chief information officers, financial controllers, company secretaries, financial analysts and planners, tax and estate advisers, financial and management accountants, auditors, system designers, investment advisors and managers.
Further study for major
Eligible students may apply for admission to an honours year in Accounting; or apply for admission to postgraduate study in the Business School. We offer a wide range of specialist master's degrees for graduates who want to gain specialised knowledge and skills.
The Business School's active involvement in quality-assurance and accreditation activities has earned us the top international accreditations available to business schools worldwide and has enabled us to forge strategic alliances on a global scale.
By choosing to study one of our accredited degree programs, you can be certain that the education you receive will be of the highest academic quality and will be recognised by the business community in Australia and around the world. Whatever your aspirations, our cutting-edge programs will help you to take your career in any direction you choose.