• Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting

Study plan

The Master of Professional Accounting requires the completion of 96 credit points comprising two components:
(i) 13 core units (78 credit points), including seven foundational units (48 credit points); and
(ii) 3 electives (18 credit points).

Completion of the thirteen core units is compulsory:
Foundational units
(i) ACCT5001 Accounting Principles (must be completed in the first semester)
(ii) BUSS5000 Critical Thinking in Business (must be completed in the first semester)
(iii) BUSS5001 Firms, Markets and Business Management (new unit for 2013)
(iv) CLAW5001 Legal Environment of Business
(v) FINC5001 Capital Markets and Corporate Finance
(vi) INFS5000 Accounting Information Systems
(vii) QBUS5002 Quantitative Methods for Accounting (new unit for 2013)

Advanced units
(i) ACCT5002 Managerial Accounting and Decision Making
(ii) ACCT6001 Intermediate Financial Reporting
(iii) ACCT6007 Contemporary Issues in Auditing
(iv) ACCT6010 Advanced Financial Reporting (Capstone: must be completed in final semester)
(v) CLAW6002 Corporate Structures in Practice
(vi) CLAW6026 Taxation Law and Practice
Completion of three electives is also a requirement of the degree. Electives are selected from a wide range of Commerce units of study.
High-performing students who have completed at least 48 credit points of study in the program may be eligible to replace an elective with BUSS6500 Industry Placement, if selected for work placement on competitive merit. Find out more about this at http://sydney.edu.au/business/study/opportunities/industry_placement_program

Progression rules

A candidate for the Master of Professional Accounting completes their core units ACCT5001 Accounting Principles and BUSS5000 Critical Thinking in Business in the first semester of enrolment. The capstone core unit, ACCT6010 Advanced Financial Reporting, is completed in the final semester of enrolment. The remaining foundation / core units are completed in any order depending on prerequisite/corequisite requirements.

Capstone experience

Advanced Financial Reporting unit is intended to provide students with a detailed understanding of more complex financial reporting issues. The topics examined include: group accounting issues such as the practical application of the control test; multiple subsidiaries; foreign currency translation; consolidated cash flow reporting; segment reporting; accounting for joint arrangements and associates; and related party disclosures. The unit builds on the knowledge base acquired from earlier accounting units with a strong emphasis on the application of technical skills. The unit has a substantial case component, using current examples to illustrate both appropriate technical solutions in accordance with accounting standards and guidelines, as well as the forces which determine the choice of methods. The course will help develop student's ability to read and analyse financial reports and to understand the financial statement implications of management decisions relating to organisational structure, investment and financing.

Graduate opportunities

Sydney Master of Professional Accounting graduates look forward to employment in (and eventually, formation of their own) accounting practices; also to roles 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.

Course accreditation

The Master of Professional Accounting satisfies the requirements of professional accreditation with CPA Australia and with the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in Australia. Students must complete the compulsory
units and a prescribed set of elective units of study to satisfy accreditation
requirements.

Further study

The University of Sydney Business School has an outstanding reputation for the quality of its research across a wide range of academic disciplines. The Master of Professional Accounting is an entry pathway to our higher degree by research programs, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil).

The postgraduate research programs offered by the Business School attract a large number of domestic and international students each year. With more than 180 research students currently enrolled, we have one of the largest and most diverse higher degree by research programs in the Asia-Pacific region. Read more information about Sydney research at http://sydney.edu.au/business/research.

Admission requirements

A successful applicant for admission to the Master of Professional Accounting will hold the equivalent of an Australian bachelor's degree, graduate diploma/certificate from a recognised tertiary institution with a minimum credit (65 per cent) average. Qualifications awarded outside Australia can also be used for admission but equivalencies and entry requirements are determined based on the country, institution and qualification. You can find a guideline of the most common international entry requirements at
http://sydney.edu.au/business/futurestudents/postgraduate_study/pg_coursework_studies

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications are made directly to the University and assessed by the Business School.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University, or (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent).

Domestic students

Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2012 your student contribution may differ.

Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

This 2013, tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.

Annual review for postgraduate domestic tuition fee

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents

Please note that if you are classified by the University as a Research Training Scheme student in accordance with the Other Grants Guidelines (Research) 2010, you will be exempt from the payment of any SCA or tuition fees for courses undertaken as part of a Research Masters degree and Research Doctoral degree. More information about your eligibility for this Scheme is available here.

International students

International tuition fees for postgraduate students

This 2013, tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. The University's Future Students' webpage has further information about these additional incidental fees for postgraduate coursework students and postgraduate research students.

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.