Master of Professional Accounting

If you are keen for a quick return on investment on upskilling for a new career, look no further than the Master of Professional Accounting at Southern Cross.

This CPA Australia and CA accredited course not only provides you with an accounting qualification but also with commercial know-how, critical thinking and expert communication skills for decision-making.

The degree will hone your leadership and research skills and provides you the opportunity to delve into areas of practice, such as taxation law, auditing or corporate governance at greater depth. You will also have the opportunity to select a research project that most intrigues you and undertake it under the supervision of leading business experts.

The Master of Professional Accounting is a 2-year program – shorter if you have previously completed relevant education – designed to deliver you the career of your choice. The door will be opened for qualified and skilled professional accountants in a diverse range of jobs, fields, and locations.

Career Opportunities

The global accounting profession has high employment demand, offering MPA graduates the opportunity to seek employment in a range of industries in Australia and abroad.

Graduates of the MPA are equipped to work in business, government and not-for-profit organizations in accounting, financial services, and management positions. Management roles and activities undertaken by graduates include developing financial plans, preparing and certifying financial reports, conducting audits, advising company directors, shareholders and clients.

Professional Recognition

The Master of Professional Accounting is accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA).

Graduates may also be eligible to apply for admission to the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

Professional Placement

As part of this course, students may choose to undertake a 150-hour internship (equivalent to one unit) in either a paid or volunteer role. This practical experience, combined with theoretical understanding, enhances the learning experience for students. Students are responsible for securing their internship placement and are given extensive assistance in interview and application procedures, access to an extensive database of potential employers and roles and ongoing support from the dedicated Work Integrated Learning team.

Major Areas of Study

The MPA comprises a core sequence of units that meet the professional accounting educational requirements and includes study in the following areas: business accounting, accounting information systems, financial reporting, management accounting, economics, quantitative analysis, company and commercial law, finance, accounting, theory, and research.

Students also study advanced topics in accounting such as tax law and practice, auditing and assurance and corporate governance. Management skills are also honed through the study of communications and a number of electives. A key feature of the MPA program is the opportunity to undertake a double-weighted industry research project that students can apply to their current or future workplace.

Assessment methods

The course incorporates progressive assessment and examinations. Students are assessed on the basis of written and oral assignments reflecting authentic work tasks and contemporary topics. These assignments come in a range of formats designed to assist knowledge and skills development over the duration of the course. Formats include business reports, case studies, discussion board posts, presentations, quizzes, and research plans and studies.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Lectures may be streamed live or pre-recorded; either way, students can download a recording at their convenience.

Each week, students progress their learning by following activities, readings and case studies laid out, step-by-step, in a website for each unit. As they move through the learning outcomes, they can discuss their progress in online forums and ask questions of their peers, lecturer or tutor.

Facts, figures, rankings and awards

Southern Cross University is a progressive, young and connected regional research university, with vibrant campuses in northern New South Wales and the southern Gold Coast. We offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and many are available in a dynamic online form. Whether studying on-campus, online, or both, we deliver exciting, contemporary and high-quality learning experiences.

Why SCU?

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 20Bold, progressive and just 23 years of age – Southern Cross University is one of the Asia-Pacific’s Top 100 Universities and one of the world’s Top 50 Generation Y Universities .

Our contemporary campuses, with purpose-built state-of-the-art facilities, are located on the east coast of Australia, at the Gold Coast in Queensland, and in Lismore and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. All are unique regions renowned for their natural beauty and ecological diversity, providing living laboratories for learning and creative hubs for artistic endeavour.

Branch campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are operated in collaboration with EduCo on behalf of Southern Cross University. The University also operates The Hotel School Sydney and Melbourne in partnership with Mulpha Australia. We also deliver degrees with collaborators in China, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

We have a large and diverse range of courses available online, offering interactive and immersive learning experiences wherever our students are.

Whether studying on-campus, online, or both, we deliver exciting, contemporary and high-quality learning experiences.

We aim to produce graduates who are career ready, world ready and digitally literate, and who experience an academic environment distinctive for its personal approach.

The University has a strong focus on industry and community collaboration to produce engaged teaching and research outcomes.

This connectivity is seeing Southern Cross University lead the $13.8m national Farming Together Pilot Program, partnering with the Northern Rivers Co-operatives Alliance and the Australian Government. The University has also introduced an important new Centre for Organics Research with the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

In the latest Excellence in Research for Australia report, Southern Cross achieved outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 24 research fields. In nine research fields, the University was evaluated at the highest possible classification of 'well above world standard'. This was achieved in the fields of Geochemistry, Oceanography, Environmental Science and Management, Zoology, Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Crop and Pasture Production, Forestry Sciences, Nursing, Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Campuses

Southern Cross University is a vibrant, contemporary Australian university with beautiful campuses on the Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour.

Sydney, Melbourne and Perth branch campuses (International students)

Southern Cross University's branch campuses at Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth are conveniently located in the central business districts.

Studying at SCU Sydney, Melbourne or Perth gives international students the opportunity to complete undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in three of the world's most liveable cities. Southern Cross University collaborates with EduCo Sydney Branch Pty Ltd for the operation of the SCU Sydney, Melbourne and Perth branch campuses.