Master of Professional Accounting (Specialisation)

This course offers participants from different academic and experiential backgrounds the opportunity to specialise in accounting for professional recognition purposes. Accounting is often cited as the language of business. People with accounting skills are in high demand in the business and corporate world embracing areas such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, banking, and information systems, and such skills are increasingly important to groups performing an overview function such as directors.

Our graduates have exceptional career outcomes. 90% of our postgraduate business and management students find full-time employment within 4 months of graduating (Source: 2017 Graduate Outcomes Survey).

Professional recognition

To become members of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), students without an undergraduate or masters degree must complete a professionally accredited 16 subject master level degree. This degree is accredited with the professional accounting bodies in Australia. Graduates of the MPAS will satisfy the educational requirements for associate membership of CPA Australia, the entry requirements at the ICAA and membership of the IPA. 

Higher education

For admission to this degree you need to have: 

• the equivalent of an undergraduate or master degree in a non-accounting discipline (international applications are subject to assessment for equivalency), or;
• a four subject Graduate Certificate in Accounting, or equivalent, from an approved tertiary institution

Work and Life

Applicants may also be eligible for this degree by showing approved relevant work experience or other special circumstances (e.g. post secondary qualifications) as approved by the dean or delegated authority. 

English Proficiency Requirements

For students who are not native English speakers, an IELTS score with an overall Band of 6 and no band less than 6; or a TOEFL (iBT) overall score of 72 (no individual skill must be lower than: Reading 16; Listening 16; Speaking 18; and, Writing 22) or a PTE Academic overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50, or provide evidence that you have studied for 2 years full-time with English as the sole medium of instruction and examination. These tests must not be more than 24 months old. 

If you are a national of, and are currently residing in a country where English is the official language, and have completed your highest level of studies (senior secondary or tertiary) in that country, you are exempt from the above two year validity period. The University of Tasmania will recognise your previous studies as meeting the English language entry requirement.

Advanced Standing is the recognition of prior studies, from either another institution or another course at this University, that may count towards the requirements for the degree you are applying for at the University of Tasmania. For more information visit the UTAS website

This degree was designed for people without an accounting qualification looking to get into the field, or those who need to up-skill to meet professional accounting requirements.

Students who successfully complete the first eight subjects of the Master of Professional Accounting (Specialisation) are able to apply for associate membership with CPA Australia. Being a CPA is internationally-recognised as a mark of high professional competence. 

In this degree you’ll have the opportunity to choose one of three specialisations:

Advanced Accounting

Take your accounting skills to the next level. This specialisation is ideal for students who intend to take their CPA exams in future after building up some work experience rather than completing them as part of your degree.

Business management 

Diversify your skill set with additional business management topics including entrepreneurship, sales, and people management. 

Marketing 

Complement your accounting skills with a range of marketing topics including sales, digital marketing, and business-to-business marketing. 

Recommended Study Pattern

The Master of Professional Accounting (Specialisation) consists of 12 core units, plus four units in your chosen specialisation.

Core Units

• BFA503 - Introduction to Financial Management
• BFA507 - The Accounting Framework
• BFA601 - Business and Corporate Law
• BMA735 - Management Ethics
• BFA605 - Financial and Corporate Accounting
• BEA603 - Economics and Statistical Analysis
• BFA714 - Australian Tax Law
• BMA799 - Strategic Management
• BFA504 - Accounting Systems and Processes
• BFA713 - Audit and Assurance
• BFA612 - Management and Cost Accounting
• BFA715 - Accounting Perspectives and Research

Specialisations

Advanced Accounting

• BFA742 - Advanced Financial Accounting
• BFA743 - Strategic Management Accounting
• BFA744 - Financial Risk Management
• BFA745 - Global Strategy and Leadership

Business Management

• BMA547 - Organisational Behaviour
• BAA539 - Strategic Entrepreneurship
• BMA583 - Managing People and the Employment Relationship
• BMA701 - Leadership and Change Management

Marketing

• BMA604 - Consumer Decision Making
• BMA605 - Business to Business Marketing
• BMA609 - Sales Management and Personal Selling
• BMA610 - Digital and Social Media Marketing

Award Requirements

To meet the requirements for this degree, students complete a total of 16 units, comprising 12 core units plus 4 units in a chosen area of specialisation.