Bachelor of Business with a major in Accounting and Financial Planning

Key Learnings Include:

Financial Accounting: Develop the skills to solve complex finance problems while understanding the broader impact of your decisions on businesses.

Company Accounting: Learn to think critically and solve financial accounting challenges to meet business needs.

Ethical Client Relationships: Equip yourself to analyse and resolve financial dilemmas while adhering to ethical practices that build client trust.

Investment Planning: Gain expertise in creating and defending investment strategies that align with client goals, building diverse portfolios.

Retirement Planning: Develop strategies and recommendations on superannuation and retirement planning based on clients’ requirements.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Define and integrate theoretical principles applicable to accounting and financial planning 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 triple bottom line.
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 diverse groups.

Help people secure their financial future.

In this course you’ll learn from seasoned finance experts who will equip you with the essential tools to evaluate and communicate financial insights that drive real business success.

Dive into cutting-edge technology and sustainable investment strategies, empowering you to guide clients through crucial financial decisions like investment planning, taxation, insurance, retirement, and estate planning.

Throughout your studies, you’ll be exposed to the latest financial management software, like Python. You’ll do assessments designed to prepare you for the workforce, such as developing strategies for real-life clients. You’ll also undertake a financial planning project, where you will learn to make investment decisions and get insight into what it’s like to be a financial advisor.

Work directly with real clients such as Build Pass, Inception Point, Insurance Brokers, Acorro, Inclusion Melbourne, and Springvale Toy Library.

This course meets the educational requirements of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA). It is also professionally accredited by CAANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand) as well as CPA (Certified Practising Accountants) Australia. In addition, it is ASIC approved qualification which forms part of the requirements to becoming a financial adviser, ensuring you’ll learn the skills necessary to enter the financial planning industry with confidence.

Recommended study pattern

To be awarded the Bachelor of Business in Accounting & Financial Planning you must complete 24 units in total made up of:

Core units

Learning and Communicating for Innovative Business Practice (COM10011)

Contemporary Management Principles (MGT10001)

Marketing and the Consumer Experience (MKT10009)

Financial Information for Decision-Making (ACC10007)

Economics for Business Decision-Making (ECO10005)

Business Digitalisation (INF10024)

Business Consulting Project (BUS30032)

Core Business Practice Units

You must complete one (1) of the following:

These units are designed to:

• Combine the skills you’ve gained throughout your degree.
• Allow you to apply your knowledge to real business problems.
• Provide an opportunity to collaborate with peers and gain hands-on experience.
• Help you build the confidence you need to transition into the workforce with practical skills.

Planning for Career Success (CAR10001)

Sustainable Business Practice (BUS30031)

Accounting and Financial Planning major units

Business for Sustainability, Social Change & Impact (BUS10014)

Financial Information Systems (ACC10008)

Management Accounting for Planning and Control (ACC20007)

Company Accounting (ACC20013)

Taxation (ACC30005)

Accounting Theory (ACC30008)

Auditing (ACC30010)

Financial Statistics (FIN10002)

Principles of Financial Planning (FIN10003)

Financial Management (FIN20014)

Ethics and Client Relationships (FIN20015)

Finance and Behavioural Bias (FIN20017)

Investment and Financial Planning Project (FIN30017)

Personal Financial Risk and Estate Planning (FIN30022)

Retirement Planning (FIN30023)

Law of Commerce (LAW20019)

Award requirements

Students are required to complete units as listed in the Recommended Study Pattern.

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

Indicative total fee $52,197

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.

Study on your own terms with this forward-thinking university.

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 University of Technology

Explore Swinburne University of Technology courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

19

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

15

Applicants are required to meet one of the following minimum entry requirements:

• A completed or partially completed tertiary qualification (e.g. relevant Certificate IVs, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, incomplete or complete Bachelor’s degree); or
• 4+ years of relevant work experience; or
• Recent Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent completion, with the required English study score.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you have completed recent prior studies you may be eligible to request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous studies related to your chosen subjects.

This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, where every applicant is assessed individually.