Master of Professional Accounting

Accountants are needed in every industry. They provide sound advice on all financial aspects of a business, including financial reporting, taxation, auditing, cost management, and planning and decision making for organisations. The skill level rating for accountants in Australia is consider very high and the number of accountant jobs is estimated to grow by 9.2% by 2026*.

As a graduate of the Master of Professional Accounting, you may choose to apply to become a member of a recognised accounting institution, such as Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). Other exciting career paths to consider with your master’s degree could include senior management, business analyst, software development, or consultancy.

*Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, National Skills Commission trend data to May 2022 and projections to 2026.

Professional recognition

The University of Tasmania is accredited with CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and offers a globally recognised qualification that can take you anywhere.

Higher education

Completed AQF7 bachelor’s degree or above, or equivalent#, in a non-accounting discipline;  

If applicant has already obtained an Australian qualification (onshore, by distance or on an offshore campus) with an accounting major please do not offer for this course. If 6-8 specific Accounting subjects and no major are listed – check Senior Admissions Officer before referring to College. 

If applicant has an overseas qualification with an accounting major, an offer can still be made but please add the following in the offer letter: 

“The Professional Accounting suite of courses are designed for applicants who have no accounting qualifications – at any level. The Master of Professional Accounting, which this course articulates to, provides a basic accounting qualification, designed as a conversion course for people who have degrees in areas other than accounting and now wish to change careers. Hence, it is based on providing knowledge to students with no understanding of accounting. If you already have a qualification in accounting you may wish to change your course preference. Please note that the Master of Professional Accounting also does not lead into a research degree, such as a PhD.” 

# An approved equivalent from an overseas institution is as assessed by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR).

Work and Life

Qualifications, relevant work experience or other special circumstances, as approved by the Executive 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.

The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.

https://www.utas.edu.au/study/apply/admission-requirements/recognition-of-prior-learning

Make the switch into the invigorating world of business

With our practical internships and work experience opportunities, you will engage with Tasmanian industry during your studies, providing real world experience and building connections to help forge your future career.

If you don’t have a formal accounting qualification and want to break into this thriving field, our Master of Professional Accounting is the perfect place to start. You will have various opportunities to gain practical experience through internships via our Work Ready Program, student run Tax Clinic, and our highly qualified industry experts will prepare you for accounting roles all over the world. This course is also ideal for anyone in the industry who wants to upskill and meet the academic requirement of professional accounting qualifications.

A career in accounting is about providing expert consultation and helping businesses with sound judgement and decision making. You could find yourself providing financial advice for an exciting new start up business or advising innovative, sustainable solutions as a climate change accountant.

As future accounting professionals, you also have the power to make a difference to the world in which we live. Accountants are being called upon to be the global voice on climate action. From quantifying the financial impact of climate issues, through to ensuring climate reporting meets compliance requirements, accountants are helping to support a worldwide effort to enhance and improve climate change reporting.

There are three specialisations available online including Financial Planning, Accounting for Sustainable Business, and Healthcare Accounting and Administration.

Recommended Study Pattern

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) includes the following options:

• 2-year MPA - this is the default course option for students who have not completed prior study in a related (cognate) area.
• 1.5-year MPA - this is the default course option for students who have completed prior study in a related (cognate) area.
• 2-year MPA with specialisation - this option is available to students who have completed prior study in a related (cognate) area but who wish to complete further study in an area of specialisation.

Transition Subjects:

• TAS-BEA603 Statistical and Economic Analysis for Decision Making
• TAS-BFA503 Principles of Financial Management
• TAS-BFA507 Accounting and Accountability for Decision Making
• TAS-BFA601 Business and Corporate Law in Practice

Core Subjects:

• TAS-BFA605 Contemporary Financial Accounting and Reporting
• TAS-BFA612 Management Decision Making and Strategy
• TAS-BFA713 Assurance and Audit Services
• TAS-BFA714 Australian Tax Law and Practice
• TAS-BFA715 Contemporary Accounting Perspectives and Research
• TAS-BFA746 Pathway to Accounting and Finance Careers
• TAS-BFA747 Data Analytics for Accounting
• Select one of the following subjects:
  • TAS-BAA539 Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • TAS-BAA708 Corporate Internship
  • TAS-BFA508 Introduction to Financial Planning
  • TAS-BFA739 Professional Clinic Placement

Choice of Specialisation

• Accounting for Sustainable Business: complete 4 subjects (50 credit points) from the following list
  • TAS-BFA739 Professional Clinic Placement
  • TAS-BFA757 Socially Responsible Investing
  • TAS-BFA758 Organisational Social Responsibilities
  • TAS-BFA759 Managing and Reporting Sustainability Related Performance
  • TAS-BFA760 Sustainability Related Governance and Assurance
• Financial Planning
  • TAS-BFA508 Introduction to Financial Planning
  • TAS-BFA515 Ethics and Professionalism
  • TAS-BFA607 Investment Planning
  • TAS-BFA608 Retirement Planning
• Healthcare Accounting and Administration
  • TAS-BAA753 Health Ethics, Law and Governance
  • TAS-BAA754 Health Finance, Economics and Accounting
  • Choose 2 subjects from the following
    • TAS-BAA755 Healthcare Organisational Behaviour
    • TAS-BAA756 Healthcare Systems, Safety and Quality
    • TAS-BFA739 Professional Clinic Placement
    • TAS-BMA701 Leadership and Change Management
    • TAS-BMA799 Strategic Management

Award Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 16 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 2-5 years from commencement.