Master of Business Administration (Finance)

Take charge of your global business career, learn how to apply supply chains, emotional intelligence, build ethical workplace cultures and manage sustainable trade. The MBA (Finance) prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities in areas including management consulting, business acquisition, strategy and leadership.

Potential occupations include:

• chief financial officer
• finance director
• financial controller
• chief operating officer
• chief robotics officer
• program director
• finance manager
• fund manager
• investment analyst.

Potential employers include:

• financial management firms
• investment advisory firms
• financial planning forms
• government departments
• private sector organisations
• corporate agencies
• self-employment
• Not-for-profit organisations.

Professional recognition

The program is accredited with CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), which means graduates are able to pursue careers in the accounting and finance industries. Entry into CAANZ requires the completion of elective topics in auditing and tax.

Higher education

Applicants must have one of the following:

• Hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution
• Have completed the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration at Flinders University 

English Proficiency Requirements

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants: 

• first language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language)
• completed secondary schooling in Australia
• completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution)
• completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution 
• completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program 
• performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements 
• registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia)
• achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university
• completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Practicum placement

The MBA (Finance) is designed for the future, with sustainability built in. You will learn how to take advantage of technology to better manage a company’s accounts and capital, make critical investments and business decisions. This MBA course has industry engagement embedded, with a total of up to 36 weeks of experience available through Work Integrated Learning and industry programs.

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience.

Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.

The Master of Business Administration (Finance) is designed to provide a strong foundation of business knowledge, skills and attitudes to support ethical, global business management of organisations including private sector business organisations, not-for-profit organisations and public organisations. Through experiential learning techniques students will develop knowledge and skills to conduct independent research, carry out industry and discipline related projects, and relate their learning to their individual business experience.

The Master of Business Administration (Finance) - 2 years requires 2 years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course specialisation is offered by the College of Business, Government and Law.

Recommended Study Pattern

To be awarded the Master of Business Administration (Finance), students must complete 16 subjects (equivalent to 72 credit points):

Year 1 - 8 x Core subjects (36 credit points)

Trimester 1

• BUSN9146 Economic Environments: Assessing Current and Future Markets
• BUSN8006 Driving Financial Performance
• BUSN9148 Marketing in a Digital Age

Trimester 2

• BUSN8007 Ethics, Sustainability and Governance
• BUSN9150 Business Analytics

Trimester 3

• BUSN9152 Legal Signposts for Decision Makers
• BUSN8009 Creating Resilient Supply Chains and Procurement
• BUSN9153 Emerging Business Models: Disruptions, Collaboration and Competition

Year 2 - 8 x Core subjects (36 credit points)

Trimester 1

• BUSN8008 Building Teams and Networks
• BUSN9132 New Venture Finance and Private Equity
• BUSN9241 International Business Finance and Banking

Trimester 2

• BUSN9151 Trends in Business Finance
• BUSN9149 Researching Markets

Trimester 3

• BUSN9147 Leading a Future Workforce
• BUSN9115 Quantitative Methods
• BUSN9131 Applied Security Analysis and Valuation

Award Requirements

To qualify for the Master of Business Administration (Finance), a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.