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La Trobe University

  • 24% international / 76% domestic

Master of Professional Accounting

  • Masters (Coursework)

Looking for your path to a career as a qualified professional accountant?

Key details

Degree Type
Masters (Coursework)
Duration
1.5 years full-time
Course Code
106758F
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Feb, Jul, Oct
Domestic Fees
$30,800 per year / $46,200 total
International Fees
$39,000 per year / $58,500 total

About this course

Looking for your path to a career as a qualified professional accountant?

Become an expert with in-demand skills when you study La Trobe's Master of Professional Accounting.

In this accredited degree, you'll build expertise in existing and emerging accounting information systems and data analytics tools. Investigate the fields underpinning modern accounting, including business law, taxation, finance and economics. Connect with industry and professional accounting bodies during your studies and prepare for career success.

Learn how to solve accounting problems across a diverse variety of business contexts. With lectures delivered by leading academics and guest industry experts, you'll get a well-rounded perspective on contemporary accounting issues - ranging from industry-specific measurement issues to the impact of global harmonisation on financial reporting practices.

La Trobe's Master of Professional Accounting is a direct pathway to becoming a qualified professional accountant. If you have limited exposure to accounting or are forging a new path, this degree will develop your theoretical and technical knowledge and skills to build your dream career.

You'll learn:

  • Accounting principles, information systems and analytics
    • Understand how to record business transactions, prepare financial statements and evaluate business performance. Use the accounting and data analytics tools to analyse data and assist decision making.
  • Management accounting
    • Understand how to provide organisational decision-makers with relevant accounting information to assist with strategic planning, controlling and performance management.
  • Financial accounting and reporting
    • Apply international and Australian accounting standards involving measurement and professional judgement in a variety of practical scenarios.
  • Auditing and assurance
    • Explore the nature and purpose of auditing and assurance. Understand the responsibilities of auditors in the context of reporting quality information.
  • Taxation
    • Learn the fundamentals of the taxation system and its implications for individuals and businesses.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9 - Masters Degree.

Sample course structure

Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.

To qualify for the award of Master of Professional Accounting, students must complete a total of 180 credit points across 2 years.

Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:

  • 120 credit points from chosen Core

Year 2 requires the completion of 60 credit points including:

  • 15 credit points from chosen Capstone
  • 45 credit points from chosen Core
Study options

Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.

Subject name Subject code Year Credit points ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE LTU0AIM 1 0 ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACC5001 1 15 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES ACC4001 1 15 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING ACC5002 1 15 FOUNDATIONS OF COMPANY AND COMMERCIAL LAW LST4001 1 15 PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS ANALYTICS BUS5PB 1 15 PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS BUA4003 1 15 PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE BUA4005 1 15 STATISTICS FOR BUSINESS AND FINANCE BUA4004 1 15 AUDITING AND ASSURANCE ACC5AAS 2 15 MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING ACC5MCR 2 15 TAXATION ACC5TAX 2 15

Capstone subjects are required subjects in your course or major that help you integrate and apply the knowledge and skills you gain to solve real world problems. Capstone subjects are often taken towards the end of your course.

Subject name Subject code Year Credit points ADVANCED ACCOUNTING ISSUES ACC5AAI 2 15
See La Trobe University Handbook for more details

The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.

  • Melbourne (Bundoora)

To view other campus handbook course details, please select relevant campus in the drop down.

Study locations

Sydney

Melbourne

Bendigo

Career pathways

Accountants and accountancy expertise are vital for organisations in every industry - so after graduation, you could find roles in private enterprise, government departments, the not-for-profit sector and beyond.

Possible roles include:

  • Business analyst
    • Assist with start-up structuring, valuation and financing. Review existing business operations to help with strategy, business planning, and identifying and implementing performance improvements.
  • Financial accountant
    • Take responsibility for financial reporting, including end-of-year financial reports, reconciliations and statutory obligations. Help provide stakeholders with reliable information for decision-making.
  • Management accountant
    • Help your organisation evaluate past performance and plan for the future. Analyse financial and non-financial data to assist in decision-making and advise on the implications of business decisions.
  • Auditor
    • Use modern auditing and data analytics tools to give internal and external clients assurance about an organisation's operations.
  • Taxation accountant
    • Advise on taxation issues for individuals and organisations. Manage, prepare and submit reports, including tax returns and other statements, and advise clients on how to manage their income.

Professional recognition

The Master of Professional Accounting is accredited by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and recognized by the global accounting professional body Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Professional membership may require an application to the professional body and may have additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.

Graduates of the Master of Professional Accounting may apply for membership with the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Membership may be subject to additional or ongoing requirements beyond completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Business & Management courses at La Trobe University.
74.2%
Overall satisfaction
77.8%
Skill scale
62.9%
Teaching scale
85.5%
Employed full-time
$107k
Average salary