Bachelor of Accounting

Financial Accounting:

Generate logical solutions to finance problems that are fit for purpose. Gain awareness of the impact financial decisions have on businesses.

Management Accounting:

Learn technical skills required to analyse information that support decisions which enhance both customer and shareholder values.

Company Accounting:

Understand technical methods to help with the preparation of accounting information and financial statements.

Taxation:

Understand the Australian taxation system and the basic principles of Australian income tax, fringe benefit tax and goods and services taxation legislation.

Auditing:

Understand the nature and purpose of auditing within the regulatory auditing environment.

Financial Statistics:

Use data to analyse and interpret information to guide business decisions in a variety of contexts.

On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:

1. Define and integrate theoretical principles applicable to accounting and apply those principles in a range of practices.
2. Systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources in order to make informed judgements on options for innovatively solving a range of problems that arise in business contexts.
3. Formulate creative solutions that are fit for purpose and demonstrate cognisance of the impact of business decisions on the environment, economy and society.
4. Coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas.
5. Communicate a range of business arguments by evaluating and implementing alternative communication strategies as appropriate to the audience.
6. Build on and continuously develop the intellectual independence to be critical and reflective learners, cognisant of new technologies.
7. Work collaboratively in groups.

In this rewarding career, you’ll help people and organisations with their big picture financial goals, while never losing sight of the small details. Learn highly sought-after skills to help your clients make the most of their finances.

This course will equip you with the professional skills you’ll need to find your dream role in accounting. Pair knowledge of the latest financial management software, such as Tableau and Xero, with foundational business practices to ensure you enter the workplace with a thorough understanding of core business needs. An industry consulting project for a live client provides additional opportunities for Bachelor of Accounting students to build a professional portfolio of work and to gain insights to make you work-ready upon graduation.

Recommended study pattern

A total of 24 units are taken to complete the Bachelor of Accounting, including six core units, two capstone units, eight accounting major units and eight electives.

In capstone units you combine the skills you'll learn throughout your degree and apply them to practical scenarios to solidify your knowledge. You'll collaborate with your peers and solve real business problems, giving you the confidence to step into the workforce with practical experience.

Core units

Learning and Communicating for Innovative Business Practice (COM10011)

Financial Information for Decision-Making (ACC10007)

Economics for Business Decision-Making (ECO10005)

Business Digitalisation (INF10024)

Contemporary Management Principles (MGT10001)

Law of Commerce (LAW20019)*

*This unit bridges the gap between law and business, helping you to apply legal concepts in a corporate context. It’s a required unit for those looking to become a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA).

Capstone units

Business Consulting Project (BUS30032)

Sustainable Business Practice (BUS30031)

Accounting major units

Financial Information Systems (ACC10008)

Management Accounting for Planning and Control (ACC20007)

Company Accounting (ACC20013)

Taxation (ACC30005)

Accounting Theory (ACC30008)

Auditing (ACC30010)

Financial Statistics (FIN10002)

Financial Management (FIN20014)

Recommended electives

Forensic Accounting (ACC30003)

Planning for Career Success (CAR10001)

Big Data Management (INF20016)

Other Elective options can be viewed on the Swinburne Online website.

Professional Placement

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a Professional Placement where a relevant Professional degree exists. International students who successfully gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant Professional degree, in order to complete a placement and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.

Students who undertake a 12 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 or 400 credit points comprising:

• Eight [8] Core Units of Study (100 credit points); AND EITHER
• Six [6] units of study comprising a minor and/or elective units (75 credit points); AND
• Eight [8] units of study from the Accounting major (100 credit points); OR
• Sixteen [16] units of study from the Accounting and Financial Planning major (200 credit points); AND
• Four [4] units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points).

Students who elect to undertake a 6 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 or 350 credit points comprising:

• Eight [8] Core Units of Study (100 credit points); AND EITHER
• Eight [8] units of study from the Accounting major (100 credit points); AND
• Seven [7] units of study comprising a minor and/or electives (87.5 credit points); OR
• Sixteen [16] units of study from the Accounting and Financial Planning major (200 credit points); AND
• Two [2] units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points).

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Accounting students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

• Eight [8]) core units of study (100 credit points); AND
• Eight [8] units of study from the Accounting major (100 credit points); AND
• Eight [8] units of Secondary studies (100 credit points) comprising of a second major, minor/s, or electives; OR
• Sixteen [16] units of study from the Accounting and Financial Planning major (200 credit points).
• Students may not complete more than 125 credit points (normally 10 units) at Introductory Level.

A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $50,976

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

Learn more about Swinburne.

Explore Swinburne courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

19

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

17

Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.

Diploma entry pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and provides advanced standing to the second.

Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree but in most instances you may receive up to 8 unit credits.

Our Course Consultants will step you through the process of entry and credit using previous study.

Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.

Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for credit.

Applicants who have completed a Diploma in a related discipline may be eligible for credit of up to 8 units; the equivalent of a third of the course. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.