Master of Professional Accounting

The Master of Professional Accounting (CRICOS Course Code: 117336D) is a two-year full time degree to be accredited by the professional bodies CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, The Institute of Public Accountant, and CMA Australia.

The degree aims to equip students with real life problem-solving and decision-making skills essential to accessing accounting careers in private sector organisations, government agencies and the not-for-profit sector both locally and globally. 

The degree will comprise 16 units (subjects) studied over 4 trimesters, 4 units per trimester session.  The master’s course consists of 8 core units and 8 additional professional required units. The units in the course are aligned and mapped with the Professional Accounting bodies. 

The standard progression for the course comprises two trimesters per academic year.  However, the Academy may offer an optional Summer Trimester and bring the total number of sessions in a year to 3 trimesters.  It will allow a student who fails units in the standard 2 trimesters to repeat the units when offered in the Summer Trimester.  While the summer terms may be shorter than the standard trimesters, the volume of learning required would be the same as the standard term.  Depending on units offered, new students may also enrol in the Academy in the Summer Term. 

Students are required to successfully complete units in each trimester before progressing to the next trimester of study unless there are exceptional circumstances as determined by the Student Progress Committee (SPC).  

On completion of the course, graduates will be able to:  

• Demonstrate a mastery of advanced theoretical and technical knowledge related to the core disciplines of professional accounting in both a national and global context.   

• Demonstrate an understanding of research principles and methods as they apply to accounting.   

• Use problem solving skills in a contemporary accounting context to evaluate, synthesise and justify complex ideas / recommendations and communicate those ideas to both accounting professionals and non-accounting audiences.   

• Identify complex problems in accounting and finance, collect relevant data, evaluate, and synthesise a range of solutions and recommend the best course of actions in collaboration with others  

• Demonstrate application of knowledge and skills acquired within the accounting discipline with a high level of creativity, initiative, and personal autonomy.  

Modes of Delivery

The course will be delivered via face-to-face lectures/workshops supplemented with online materials through Moodle (NAPS eLearning) to be accessible on and off campus. There will be 3 hours of face-to-face teaching per week for all units, consisting of 2 hours of lectures/workshops and 1 hour of workshops/tutorials. Lecturers will use electronic presentations whenever possible. 

Classes will comprise of lectures/workshops through blended delivery, seminar-type discussions, presentations, and online delivery. The flipped classroom approach will be utilised where possible. This requires the student to complete essential reading and related assigned tasks before each class in order to be able to participate fully in discussions/workshops in class. In-class activities are followed up with required post-class activities.

Each trimester will comprise 12 weeks of face-to-face classes, one-week end of session study week, and one-week end of session exam period. While there will be three trimesters per year, the third or summer trimester will be optional.

Entry requirements and pathways 

NAPS will admit students to Postgraduate Studies who have an Australian bachelor’s degree (3 years) (AQF Level 7) or overseas equivalent subject to satisfactory achievement in all subjects. 

International applicants 

Language requirements for International Students 

English language requirements apply to international applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows: 

Category Score 

Reading 6.0 

Writing 6.0 

Listening 6.0 

Speaking 6.0 

Overall score of no less than 6.5.
 

Students who do not meet the minimum English Language requirement may be permitted to enrol after successful completion of an appropriate English for Academic Purposes program accredited by NEAS and approved by the Academy.  

When an IELTS score or equivalent is used to demonstrate English proficiency, that score must have been attained within two years of the date of application for admission. 

Domestic Applicants 

All students must have been formally admitted to the Academy before commencing their degree program. Admission to the course is based on NAPS’s Admissions Policy. To be admitted to the degree program, a student must meet the following criteria: 

• completion of an Australian bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline; or 

• previous admission and the subsequent completion of at least one semester of an AQF level 9 or equivalent course in a related discipline. 

Students with Disabilities  

Students with disabilities or special needs will not be excluded based on pre-judgements about their ability to meet with the demands of the course. The same conditions and procedures apply to the admissions of students with a disability as to all other students, however NAPS fosters an environment of inclusiveness so special measures are provided to support their learning when required and discussed as part of the admission process. Our commitment extends to ensuring that all students have equal access to resources and all opportunities, in order to consistently promote their academic and personal development. All of our physical and resources are accessible to students with disabilities, and where a technological resource is not accessible, we will amend or reformat it to accommodate the student’s needs. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and adaptable learning environment where all students can thrive (See NAPS Access and Equity Policy). 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students 

NAPS will seek to address and mitigate the under-representation and disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Specific consideration is given to their recruitment, admission, participation, and completion. This includes providing culturally sensitive support service and resources. NAPS is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment that acknowledges and celebrates the cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We endeavour to empower these students to achieve their full potential and succeed academically. 

Articulation 

Articulation Credit Transfer Arrangements 

A student may be granted advanced standing for an equivalent subject studied in another institution where this unit was successfully completed towards a similar or related degree, or through other significant learning which the Academic Dean (or delegate) considers equivalent.  All credit transfer arrangements will be subject to the NAPS Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.  

Recognition of Prior Learning 

NAPS may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition guidelines for these forms of learning can be found in NAPS Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and its associated procedures and guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, documentation required, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry. 

The following key can be used to determine under which category each unit fits:  

• ‘PR’ indicates unit required for professional accreditation with CPAA, CA ANZ, IPAA and CIMA.  

• ‘C’ indicates a core (compulsory) unit.  

• ‘E’ indicates an elective unit.  

As a graduate of this degree, you will be well-prepared for a wide variety of professional roles across industries including but  not limited to:  

• Accountant  

• Auditor  

• Business or Venture Analyst  

• Consultant  

• Finance Manager  

• Forensic Accountant  

• Government Adviser  

• Insurance Broker  

• Risk Management Specialist  

• Stockbroker  

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