Bachelor of Business with a Major in Accounting

Accounting Systems

Learn how to record and analyse business activities, mastering the accounting cycle and its essential systems.

Business Systems

Use accounting systems and software to evaluate business performance and drive positive change across organisations.

Financial Statements

Get to grips with financial statements and how they provide the insights that guide key business decisions.

Company Accounting

Explore international accounting standards and the Australian regulatory framework, preparing you for the global business world.

Economics

Develop strong analytical problem-solving skills to make smarter, data-driven decisions in both business and government.

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 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.

Accounting equips you with strong foundational skills in communication and analytics, while giving you hands-on experience with software such as XERO. Study will be focused on the impact of emerging technologies and sustainability on the accounting discipline, and you will gain valuable insights from industry experts in finance and accounting, who will set you up for a successful career, whether you’re working with organisations or individuals.

Through an industry consulting project with real-life clients such as Acrodyne, Build Pass, Epilepsy Foundation, Inception Point, Inclusion Melbourne and Lend For Good, you’ll gain the confidence to hit the ground running when you graduate.

This degree opens the door to becoming a qualified accountant, with pathways to CPA Australia (CPAA), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

Once you complete this Bachelor’s, you’ll be primed to take the next step in becoming a fully qualified accountant.

Recommended study pattern

A total of 24 units are taken to complete the Bachelor of Business with a major in Accounting, including seven core business units, the choice of one of two core business practice units, eight Accounting major units and seven electives. You'll collaborate with your peers and solve real business problems, giving you the confidence to step into the workforce with practical experience.

Core Business Fundamental units

Learning and Communicating for Innovative Business Practice (COM10011)

Financial Information for Decision-Making (ACC10007)

Economics for Business Decision-Making (ECO10005)

Contemporary Management Principles (MGT10001)

Business Digitalisation (INF10024)

Marketing and the Consumer Experience (MKT10009)

Business Consulting Project (BUS30032)

Core Business Practice units

And a choice of one unit from:

Planning for Career Success (CAR10001)

Sustainable Business Practice (BUS30031)

Accounting Major units

Financial Information Systems (ACC10008)

Financial Statistics (FIN10002)

Management Accounting for Planning and Control (ACC20007)

Financial Management (FIN20014)

Company Accounting (ACC20013)

Taxation (ACC30005)

Auditing (ACC30010)

Accounting Theory (ACC30008)

Law of Commerce (LAW20019)

Recommended electives

Big Data Management (INF20016)

Analysis for Competitive Advantage (ACC30009)

Planning for Career Success (CAR10001)

Business for Sustainability, Social Change and Impact (BUS10014)

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

Award requirements

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

• Eight [8] core units of study (100 credit points);
• Eleven [11] units of study from the Accounting discipline major (137.5 credit points); AND
• Five [5] units of study comprising of a minor and/or electives; (62.5 credit points).

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.

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If you’re applying to Swinburne but haven’t completed Year 12, don’t worry! You can still apply if you have:

• Completed or partially completed an approved tertiary qualification (like a diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, or degree).
• Relevant work experience and English language skills, or a STAT result (Special Tertiary Admissions Test), may also be considered.
• All students need to demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Diploma entry pathways

Some students start their journey with a Diploma, which can help them progress to a degree.

• Pathways allow you to move from one qualification to another.
• You could receive credit, depending on your chosen major. Our course consultants can help guide you through your pathway options.

If you have completed Year 12 (the Victorian Certificate of Education – VCE, or an equivalent qualification from interstate or internationally), you can apply based on that.

• Minimum ATAR requirements may apply for some courses.

If you’ve already studied you may be able to get advanced standing (credit transfer).

• Case-by-case assessment: Every applicant is assessed individually
• If you’ve completed a Diploma in a related field, you may be eligible for credit
• Previous tertiary studies: If your past studies meet part of the academic requirements for the course, you may get credit

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) lets you gain credit based on skills and knowledge from your work experience, life experience, or formal training
• Like credit transfer, this is assessed on a case-by-case basis

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.