Overview 2023
Location
- What is an ATAR
- Course rules
- Course accredited by: CPA Australia
- Australian Qualification Framework level: 9
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
View archived years for this course
For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
View the current year's course page
The Master of Professional Accounting (Specialisation) (MPAS) is designed to train those who do not have an accounting background or who need to up-skill to meet the professional accounting requirements. Students holding an accredited accounting qualification of an Australian institution are not eligible to seek entry into this course.
This is a 2 year full-time or 4 year part-time course of study offered by the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics. It comprises 16 units of study: 12 core units and 4 units which make up a specialisation.
The course is full fee-paying, which means that you will be charged at the full fee-paying rate listed for each unit.
Key contacts
| Current student enrolment questions and advice | UConnect |
| Course Coordinator | Dr Bernadette Smith |
| Work Ready Program Coordinator | John Streeter |
Course objectives
The MPAS is primarily designed for graduates with an undergraduate degree, from disciplines other than accounting, to develop skills to meet the entry requirements necessary for Associate Membership of the professional accounting bodies whilst also acquiring specialist skills in an area of their choice. You develop skills to question and find solutions by applying your technical knowledge and ability to research authentic situations in the accounting context plus a specialist area. You also learn to interact within diverse groups and communicate your findings to both accountants and non-accountants through the most appropriate method.
Learning Outcomes
Career outcomes
This course offers participants from different academic and experiential backgrounds the opportunity to specialise in accounting for professional recognition purposes. Accounting is often cited as the language of business. People with accounting skills are in high demand in the business and corporate world embracing areas such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, banking and information systems, and such skills are increasingly important to groups performing an overview function such as directors.
Course structure
Compulsory Units
This unit provides managers with an introduction to a comprehensive range of key data analysis, statistics, microeconomic and macroeconomic topics. The emphasis is on the practical application of basic statistical techniques, economic concepts and models to real world business-oriented problems…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for BEA603 Economics and Statistical Analysis
This unit introduces students to the major concepts and analytical tools used in the theory and practice of financial management within an Australian context. It is designed to provide students with an understanding of: the scope and nature of the…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for BFA503 Introduction to Financial Management
This unit focuses on the key accounting systems and processes which support an organisation's business and enhance decision-making capabilities. The strategic implications of information systems will be analysed, and students will be introduced to the development, implementation, and maintenance of…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for BFA504 Accounting Systems and Processes
The Accounting Framework is an introductory accounting unit concerned with the fundamentals of financial accounting. The unit includes an introduction to the basic principles of accrual accounting and the five elements of financial reports (i.e. assets, liabilities, owners equity, revenue…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit covers a wide range of interesting legal topics and teaches students how to analyse, and solve legal problems, all essential skills for those wishing to work in both the fields of accounting and business management. The unit combines…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
The understanding that you gained while studying BFA507 The Accounting Framework will be extended to develop your accounting knowledge and skills in the context of more complex financial and corporate accounting issues. The unit covers an understanding of how financial…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for BFA605 Financial and Corporate Accounting
In this unit we explore the key functions fulfilled by managerial and cost accounting. The primary purpose of managerial and cost accounting is to provide relevant information to managers within an organisation. Managerial accounting can be thought of as the…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
In this unit, you will examine the role of auditing, focusing particularly on the role of the external auditor in assessing the validity and reliability of financial information of publicly listed companies. The unit highlights the audit function and the…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit introduces students to the core concepts in Australian taxation and identifies the framework (both legal and administrative) behind those concepts. The knowledge gained through this exploration enables the application of the framework to current issues faced by individuals…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Accounting Perspectives and Research exposes you to research within the field of Accounting and to the underlying theories and other influences that have played an important role in shaping accounting practice. Further, the unit considers emerging issues currently being addressed…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for BFA715 Accounting Perspectives and Research
Choice 1
Ethics and Governance is a core component of the knowledge and skill base of today’s professional accountants. As key business decision-makers, accountants must be proficient in regulatory regimes, compliance requirements, and governance mechanisms to ensure lawful and effective corporate behaviour…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Hobart | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
Being a successful manager and leader requires engagement with the ethical aspects of business management and consideration of the broader socio-political role that organisations play in contemporary society. The primary focus of this unit is the ethics of business and…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Choice 2
The CPA as an innovator. The Contemporary Business Issues (CBI) subject examines a number of contemporary and emerging global issues in order to familiarise you with the business environment you are likely to be operating in as an accountant. It…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Hobart | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
View all details for BFA731 CPA Contemporary Business Issues
This Unit integrates work and learning for final year Masters degree students. It carries a 12.5 Credit Points (equivalent to one unit) and is an elective unit or specialisation unit in a Postgraduate degree offered by the TSBE. You will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Strategic management today is a complex process requiring advanced skills. International expansion, network advantage, and resource optimisation pervade every aspect of this critical management skill. Successful managers need up-to-date guidance in the creation and implementation of effective strategy. This unit…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Specialisation
Advanced Accounting
Complete 4 units (50 CP) from the following list.
Compulsory units
This Unit integrates work and learning for final year Masters degree students. It carries a 12.5 Credit Points (equivalent to one unit), and is an elective unit or specialisation unit in Masters degree offered by the TSBE. You will undertake…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
In today’s data economy, businesses are blessed and cursed with an abundance of data. This proliferation of data is creating new professions and changing existing professions. One profession that is witnessing a rapid change due to the explosion of data…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Choice of unit A
This Unit integrates work and learning for final year Masters degree students. It carries a 12.5 Credit Points (equivalent to one unit) and is an elective unit or specialisation unit in a Postgraduate degree offered by the TSBE. You will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Strategic management accounting is a key component of the overall skills base of todays professional accountant. This subject examines the management accountant’s role in dynamic organisations operating in the global business environment. In this role,the professional accountant engages with the…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Choice of unit B
Global Strategy and Leadership consolidates and builds on the learnings candidates have gained in prior units. In the increasingly complex business environment in which organisations operate, characterised by change, uncertainty and escalating competition, the disciplines of strategy and leadership have…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit is about understanding why and how leaders influence change. The focus of the unit is increasing the effectiveness of leadership and change management skills at an individual and organisation levels. Leadership and change management are increasingly seen to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for BMA701 Leadership and Change Management
Business Management
Complete 4 units (50 CP) from the following list.
Compulsory units
To be innovative, you need to be able to think differently.In this unit, you’ll learn about the thinking tools that entrepreneurs use to create innovative products and build a thriving business around them. You’ll learn what it means to adopt…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for BAA539 Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The effective management of human resources is becoming an increasingly vital concern in organisations, whether they are professional practices employing only a few staff, multinational corporations, public sector or not-for-profit organisations. The impact of globalisation, increased competition for talented employees,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit is about understanding why and how leaders influence change. The focus of the unit is increasing the effectiveness of leadership and change management skills at an individual and organisation levels. Leadership and change management are increasingly seen to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for BMA701 Leadership and Change Management
Choice of unit
This Unit integrates work and learning for final year Masters degree students. It carries a 12.5 Credit Points (equivalent to one unit) and is an elective unit or specialisation unit in a Postgraduate degree offered by the TSBE. You will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
In today’s data economy, businesses are blessed and cursed with an abundance of data. This proliferation of data is creating new professions and changing existing professions. One profession that is witnessing a rapid change due to the explosion of data…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
CPA Extension
Compulsory units
CPA Financial Reporting is designed to provide you with financial reporting and business skills that are applicable in an international professional environment. This unit is delivered in preparation for CPA exams and provides tuition support for your enrolment in the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Hobart | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
CPA Financial Risk Management is designed to provide you with the skills to assess and manage financial risks and apply appropriate strategies through the use of financial instruments. Financial risks include funding and liquidity risk, market risk from interest rates,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Hobart | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
Global Strategy and Leadership consolidates and builds on the learnings candidates have gained in prior units. In the increasingly complex business environment in which organisations operate, characterised by change, uncertainty and escalating competition, the disciplines of strategy and leadership have…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Hobart | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
View all details for BFA737 CPA Global Strategy and Leadership
This unit examines the management accountant’s role in dynamic organisations operating in the global business environment with a focus on achieving strategic outcomes. You will learn the tools and techniques including value chain analysis and project management, to contribute to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Hobart | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | 11 Week Session Feb | ||||
View all details for BFA738 CPA Strategic Management Accounting
Marketing
Complete 4 units (50 CP) from the following list.
Compulsory units
For marketers, understanding how buyers and consumers behave is an integral part of correctly identifying their needs, and developing effective marketing strategies. Buyers often go through decision-making processes before making a purchase or making a decision to continue to buy…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
The increasing use of the Internet and other digital media by both business andconsumers is having a significant effect on business globally. For consumers,information and communication technologies (ICT) provide more information,convenience, and a wider range of, and access to, product…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for BMA610 Digital and Social Media Marketing
Business to Business (B2B) marketing has gained importance globally and differ significantly from business-consumer marketing. Business markets present unique challenges and opportunities for marketers. Business customers engage in complex purchase decision making processes and respond differently to marketing strategies compared…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
Choice of unit
This Unit integrates work and learning for final year Masters degree students. It carries a 12.5 Credit Points (equivalent to one unit) and is an elective unit or specialisation unit in a Postgraduate degree offered by the TSBE. You will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
In today’s data economy, businesses are blessed and cursed with an abundance of data. This proliferation of data is creating new professions and changing existing professions. One profession that is witnessing a rapid change due to the explosion of data…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
For entry to this course, you need to have: - an undergraduate or Masters degree in a non-accounting discipline, or equivalent, from an approved tertiary institution; or - a Graduate Certificate in Accounting, or equivalent, from an approved tertiary institution; or - qualifications, relevant work experience or other special circumstances, as approved by the Executive Dean or delegated authority. International students must provide one of the following: - UTASAccess Level 7 with a minimum overall score of 60% and no individual skill below 60%; or - IELTS with an overall Band of 6 and no Band less than 6; or - TOEFL (iBT) overall score of 72 (no individual skill must be lower than Reading 16; Listening 16; Speaking 18; and, Writing 22); or - PTE Academic overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50; or - provide evidence that you have studied for 2 years full-time with English as the sole medium of instruction and examination. These tests must not be more than 24 months old.
Credit transfer
Please note that if you are awarded advanced standing (credit) for any units in this degree, you should be aware that the accounting accrediting bodies will assess this advanced standing separately and that this advanced standing may not be approved. You should seek advice from the accrediting bodies on any units you wish to seek advanced standing for, as it may affect your membership eligibility if not approved.
Articulation
Articulation from Students who graduate with any of the approved exit awards of the Master of Professional Accounting (Specialisation) may return to or continue to the higher level award with full credit for units completed provided that the credit is consistent with the requirements of higher level award in terms of the course structure and the units were not completed more than 10 years prior to the expected date of graduation in the higher level award.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
2022 Annual Course Fee (domestic students): $21,616 AUD*.
* Please note that this is an indicative annual fee only and is provided as a guide based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved credit for prior learning. For more information about Domestic Student Fees, including how your fees are calculated, refer to Domestic Fees | What to Pay.
Student Services and Amenities fee
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Additional costs
Special note for students doing the CPA Extension specialisation
Please also note that, in completing the CPA Program™ units in the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) with the University of Tasmania, students do not receive the CPA Australia qualification until they have met all the requirements of the CPA Program as set by CPA Australia (which includes practical experience).
You should be aware that you must hold a concurrent enrolment with the CPA Australia in order to enrol in the corresponding UTAS CPA units and there are additional costs associated with UTAS CPA units, CPA membership and enrolment fee (includes exam fee) that are not included in the UTAS tuition fee. For information about the CPA Program, visit www.cpaaustralia.com.au.
This applies to enrolment in the alternate core units BFA502 CPA Ethics and Governance and BFA731 CPA Contemporary Business Issues as well as the CPA Extension specialisation units themselves.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries