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Master of Professional Accounting (C7S)

Overview (2027)

Duration

Minimum 2 years, up to a maximum of 5 years.

This course is available to study as both part-time or full-time
Duration
Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart
Semester 1, Semester 2
Online
Semester 1, Semester 2

"I did an internship with the University's Tax Clinic, offering free taxation services and consultation for the public, guided by a Tax Mentor. It was a rewarding experience, allowing me to gain practical accounting and tax experience. And through the Applied Employment Skills Package (AESP), I was introduced to the company that offered me a full-time job afterwards"

Lewis Ooi – Master of Professional Accounting

Accounting goes beyond number crunching. You'll gain practical experience through internships and work with Tasmanian industries, building valuable connections for your future career.

The Master of Professional Accounting is perfect if you want to enter the field without formal qualifications or if you're a professional looking to upskill. You'll gain hands-on experience through internships, including opportunities at the Tax Clinic (available at the Hobart campus), and learn directly from industry experts.

A career in accounting involves expert consultation, helping businesses make informed decisions. You could find yourself providing financial advice to startups or working as a climate change accountant, offering sustainable solutions.

Key contacts

Current student enrolment questions and advice UConnect
Course Coordinator Bernadette Smith

Watch our webinar (International students)

Senior Lecturer Dr Amrinder Khosa discusses how students can develop the advanced capabilities required to work in the professional accounting sector.

  • 1 Solve contemporary business problems using critical research techniques, applied accounting concepts, and innovative thinking, while applying a sustainable business model lens.
  • 2 Justify business ideas in complex contexts using effective oral and written communication techniques with both accounting and non-accounting professionals.
  • 3 Research and analyse business performance and impacts to make recommendations to decision makers
  • 4 Demonstrate cooperation and teamwork when making collaborative decisions and working with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • 5 Seek and reflect on feedback to improve personal, professional and ethical conduct and initiate learning opportunities for self and others

Applied Employment Skills Package

When you study a Master of Professional Accounting, you can choose to apply for the Applied Employment Skills Package.

The Applied Employment Skills Package is an ‘opt in’ program designed to develop your professional networks, confidence, and the skills needed to succeed in the job market. The package includes regular workshops, discussion groups, and presentations, as well as sessions focused on writing CVs, preparing job applications, and developing interview skills. Additionally, you’ll choose from a range of activities to accumulate enough points to earn a Certificate of Completion and a badge, which can be shared on social media and added to your CV.

Become a Student Ambassador

Improve your communication, teamwork and leadership skills, meet new people, inspire and help others, and developing lasting friendships and networks as a student ambassador. Our ambassadors proudly represent the University throughout Tasmania in schools, at University and community events, and support a range of recruitment and engagement activities.

Though the Student Ambassador Program you will have many opportunities for training and professional development, experience in real-world community engagement and outreach, networking, and public speaking, plus end up with a key point of distinction on your CV.

University of Tasmania Tax Clinic

As part of your studies, you can also choose to participate in the Tax Clinic Internship at the Hobart campus. Available as an elective unit, your internship with the on-campus Tax Clinic is designed to build practical experience as a tax professional. Supported by the ATO, and under guidance from experienced educators, you'll have the opportunity to provide quality tax advice related to a range of areas, including annual tax returns, small business enquiries, advocacy on tax regulation and legislation, Centrelink assistance and payments, superannuation and retirement, and pension related issues or concerns.

Pathways to Accounting and Finance Career Elective Unit

The Pathways to Accounting and Finance unit is a new elective option for you to choose as part of your studies. In this unit you'll develop and apply the skills necessary to succeed in obtaining employment in accounting and finance. This includes enhancing key employability skills, such as oral and written communication, critical thinking, client interaction, problem-solving, and time management, as well as key professional skills such as CV writing and job interview skills.

The Master of Professional Accounting is an externally accredited degree.

This course is accredited by 

- CPA Australia; and

- CAANZ

There may be additional requirements for CPA Australia or CAANZ beyond the completion of the course.

For further CPA Australia or CAANZ requirements, please visit www.cpaaustralia.com.au/; and www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/.

If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.

Career outcomes

Accountants are essential in every industry, providing expert advice on all financial aspects of a business, including financial reporting, taxation, auditing, cost management, and organisational planning and decision-making. In Australia, the skill level required for accountants is considered very high, and the number of accountant jobs is projected to grow by 16.1% by 2034*.

As a graduate of the Master of Professional Accounting, you may choose to apply for membership with a recognised accounting body, such as Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). Other exciting career paths to explore with your master's degree could include senior management, business analysis, software development, or consultancy.

*National Skills Commission ten year projections from May 2024-May 2034.

Course structure

To graduate from the Master of Professional Accounting course, a student must satisfactorily complete 200 credit points of study comprising:

  • 50 credit points of Transition units
  • 100 credit points of Core units
  • 50 credit points of specialisation units in one of the specialisation areas: 
    • Accounting for Sustainable Business
    • Sustainable Finance

50 credit points of research/project work has been embedded across multiple core units.

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) welcomes students with a background in accounting, in addition to those without that background but with an interest in a postgraduate accounting qualification.

The MPA is a 2 year full time course for those without prior study in a related area. If you have completed prior study in accounting or a related area, you may be eligible for 50 credit points worth of credit which will allow you to complete the course in 1.5 years. Alternatively, if you have completed prior study in a related area you may wish to forego that credit and instead study a 2 year course.

Entry requirements

Applicants with higher education study 

 To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have: 

  • A completed undergraduate or postgraduate course in any discipline at Bachelor level (AQF level 7) or higher (or equivalent). Students having a prior qualification in accounting will be considered for recognition of prior learning (up to 4 units).

Please note that although the Master of Professional Accounting is available to students with an existing undergraduate qualification in Accounting, we would recommend seeking further advice about the best course options for your background and goals as you may have already met the requirements of the CPA and the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand through your previous study and the amount of credit that can be granted towards the Master of Professional Accounting is limited. For example, a number of the specialisations can be taken as standalone Graduate Certificates and this may be the better choice for students primarily looking to enhance their existing undergraduate accounting qualification.

 Applicants with work experience 

 To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have: 

  • Qualifications, relevant work experience or other special circumstances, as approved by the Dean and Head of School, TSBE, or delegated authority. 

You must provide evidence to support your application based on work experience. This includes submitting a copy of your CV and two letters of reference from your line managers or equivalent positions. If your work experience is as a sole trader or consultant, you must provide a copy of your CV and two testimonials or references from clients that provide evidence of capability consistent with the entry requirements.

Applicants with higher education study 

 To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have: 

  • A completed undergraduate or postgraduate course in any discipline at Bachelor level (AQF level 7) or higher (or equivalent). Students having a prior qualification in accounting will be considered for recognition of prior learning (up to 4 units).

Please note that although the Master of Professional Accounting is available to students with an existing undergraduate qualification in Accounting, we would recommend seeking further advice about the best course options for your background and goals as you may have already met the requirements of the CPA and the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand through your previous study and the amount of credit that can be granted towards the Master of Professional Accounting is limited. For example, a number of the specialisations can be taken as standalone Graduate Certificates and this may be the better choice for students primarily looking to enhance their existing undergraduate accounting qualification.

 Applicants with work experience 

 To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have: 

  • Qualifications, relevant work experience or other special circumstances, as approved by the Dean and Head of School, TSBE, or delegated authority. 

You must provide evidence to support your application based on work experience. This includes submitting a copy of your CV and two letters of reference from your line managers or equivalent positions. If your work experience is as a sole trader or consultant, you must provide a copy of your CV and two testimonials or references from clients that provide evidence of capability consistent with the entry requirements.

English Language Requirements

Please refer to the University's English Language Requirements as summarised here: https://www.utas.edu.au/international/applying/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements

Students who have completed a cognate Bachelor award at AQF level 7 can be given recognition for prior learning of the entire transition study block, comprising 50 credit points.

Students articulating into the MPA from one of the following articulating courses will receive full credit for units completed in the articulating course. This includes credit of 50 credit points for students articulating from the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (C5B) and 100 credit points for students articulating from the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting (C6B).

In addition to the above credit, students who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business will be granted credit (50 credit points) for the Accounting for Sustainable Business specialisation in the MPA.  Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Finance will be granted credit (50 credit points) for the Sustainable Finance specialisation in the MPA.

A cognate discipline for the MPA means related study in another business area such as: Management, Human Resources, Sales and Marketing, Industrial/Public Relations, Public and Health Care Administration, Tourism, Business and Commercial Law, Information and Communication Technology, Banking, Finance, Insurance, Investment and Securities, Economics, or other areas of Commerce and Trade.

Please note that if you are awarded credit for any units in this degree, the accounting accrediting bodies will assess this credit separately when you apply with them for registration / membership and the credit may not be approved. You should seek advice from the accrediting bodies on any units you wish to seek credit for, as it may affect your membership eligibility if not approved.

Successful completion of 50 credit points of units from the transition block of the MPA will enable students to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (C5B).

Successful completion of 100 credit points of units, including 50cp from the transition block and 50cp from the Core units of the MPA will enable students to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting (C6B).

Successful completion of 50 credit points of units from the Accounting for Sustainable Business specialisation of the MPA will enable students to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business (C5Q).

Fees & scholarships

Domestic students

This is a full-fee course, which means you’ll need to pay the full amount for your studies. Commonwealth Supported Places are not available in this course.

Your tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.

Detailed information for domestic students, including the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.

FEE-HELP loans

You may be able to fund all or part of your tuition fees by accessing a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists domestic full-fee students to pay for University, which is repaid through the Australian Tax System once you earn above a repayment threshold. This means you’ll only have to start repaying the loan once you start earning above a specific amount.

Further information on HELP loans can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.

An important note on Youth Allowance and Austudy

The Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally-oriented master’s courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, this is not the case for all master’s courses. Please visit Scholarships, fees and costs for further information.

International students

2027 annual international student tuition fee: $39,450 AUD

The standard year of study for this course is 100 credit points.

Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 80,873 AUD.

This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.

International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.

Domestic scholarships

For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

How can we help?

Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.