Accounting and Finance

COURSES OFFERED

1. Doctor of Philosophy
   
2. Honours Master of Arts by Coursework or Research
   
3. Honours Master of Commerce by Coursework or Research in Accountancy
4. Honours Master of Commerce by Coursework or Research in Finaance
   
5. Master of Commerce in Accountancy
6. Master of Commerce in Finance
   
7. Master of Banking
8. Master of Professional Accounting
   
9. Graduate Diploma in Commerce
   
10. Graduate Certificate in Banking and Finance
    

CURRENT RESEARCH AREAS

The following areas of research are available to candidates undertaking the Honours Masters degrees and the Doctor of Philosophy degree:

Accounting and information systems
Accounting and EDI
Auditing
Controllership
Critical accounting theory
External financial reporting
Finance
Government and not-for-profit accounting
History of accounting thought
International accounting & finance
Management accounting
Small business management

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Candidates with good Masters or Honours degrees, Class 2 Division II or the equivalent can apply to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy. Full time study of a minimum of three years is normally required or the equivalent in part-time study. Candidates would be expected to work under supervision on problems related to the Department's research areas and may be required to attend coursework classes in order to develop skills necessary for their doctoral research. Candidates for this degree enrol in ACCY996.

HONOURS MASTER OF ARTS

(a) Candidates who have completed at an acceptable standard the requirements for the award of the Bachelor of Arts(Honours) in Accounting and Finance, Economics or Management at a standard of Class II, Division 2 or higher, or an equivalent degree, may qualify for the award of the MA(Honours) degree by completing at honours standard the accountancy or finance course of study as set out for the Honours Master of Commerce degree.

(b) Candidates who have completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree at a standard less than Class II, Division 2, or equivalent degree, may, subject to the attainment of a satisfactory standard in that degree, be permitted to register as candidates for the MA(Honours) degree. Such candidates may qualify for the award of the degree by completing at honours standard subjects aggregating not less than 96 credit points of which subjects aggregating not less than 48 credit points shall be selected from the accountancy or finance course of study as set out for the Master of Commerce degree.

HONOURS MASTER OF COMMERCE (ACCOUNTANCY)

HONOURS MASTER OF COMMERCE (FINANCE)

This degree is primarily a research degree for those who have completed a bachelors honours at a standard of Class II, Division 2 or higher in finance. Candidates who have completed a masters degree (for example those described below) may be admitted to the program. The degree is normally 48 credit points and may be studied full-time over one year or may be studied part-time. In special circumstances candidates will be admitted to a 96 credit point program with the first 48 credit points normally comprising the subjects studied in the Master of Commerce programs.

(a) Candidates who have completed the requirements for the award of the Bachelor of Commerce(Honours) in Accounting, Finance, Economics or Management at a standard of Class II, Division 2 or higher, or an equivalent degree, may qualify for the award of the Master of Commerce(Honours) degree by completing at honours standard the accountancy or finance course of study as set out below.

(b) A candidate may not include for this degree subjects similar in content to subjects included in the honours part of the undergraduate course.

(c) Candidates required to undertake a preliminary program or required to complete designated subjects at an appropriate standard in accordance with Clause 501(3) of the Honours Masters Degree Rules may have their enrolment cancelled in the event that the preliminary program or designated subjects is not completed at the appropriate standard.

The standard program of study is composed of either:
(i) 12 credit points of coursework, ACCY993 Research Essay and ACCY995 Research Project or
(ii) a 48 credit point thesis.

Where coursework is included the 12 credit points can be selected from the following subjects:

MASTER OF COMMERCE (ACCOUNTANCY)

MASTER OF COMMERCE (FINANCE)

With the permission of the Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance it is possible for students to substitute for the subjects listed above up to three of the subjects offered in the Master of Commerce (Accountancy) specialisation.

*ACCY921 is available only to students who have no previous finance studies. Students who are not permitted to enrol in ACCY921 can select ACCY987 Special Topic in Finance or ECON 934 Advanced Financial Economics. Students who have completed a finance specialisation undergraduate degree are recommended to not include ACCY922 Investment Analysis in their program.

MASTER OF BANKING

This degree has been developed to meet a demand in the banking and finance sector for graduates as well as the need for a professional development program. The program is accredited by the Australian Institute of Banking and Finance (ABIF) and is therefore attractive to professionals working in the banking and finance sectors. The program is also designed to meet the needs of international students.
Candidates who have completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accountancy or finance will be permitted to enrol in the degree. The degree of 48 credit points may be studied full-time over one year, or may be studied part-time.

Program of Study
Candidates may qualify for the Master of Banking by completing the following.

MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING

The Master of Professional Accounting degree offers graduates in other disciplines the opportunity to meet the admission requirements of the accounting professional bodies, providing them with the necessary skills to undertake the work of an accountant.

To gain entry to the program, candidates are required to have a degree from a university recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR).

The course is designed to be taken over three semesters on a full-time basis or six semesters on a part-time basis. The program consists of twelve subjects totaling 72 credit points.

Program of Study

GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN COMMERCE (FINANCE or ACCOUNTANCY)

In accordance with the general regulations governing graduate diplomas, candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Commerce must have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor in the University or other approved institution. In special circumstances a professional person holding a tertiary qualification (for example, an experienced accountant with the Commerce (Accounting Procedures) Certificate) may be permitted to enrol. The main requirement is that subjects aggregating not less than 30 credit points of the 48 necessary for the Graduate Diploma are to be obtained from 200-level and/or 300-level subjects offered by the Accounting and Finance Department. The Graduate Diploma requires one year full-time study or part-time equivalent.
The Graduate Diploma serves a wide variety of interests. On the one hand Science or Engineering graduates may study first the second year accounting or take, say, Management Accounting to third year, and on the other hand, Accountancy students may specialise further for professional purposes.

Specific requirements for the Graduate Diploma are:
1. not less than 30 credit points (of the minimum required of 48) are to be obtained from 200-level and/or 300-level subjects offered by the Department of Accounting and Finance;

2. with the approval of the Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance subjects may be selected from 900-level subjects offered by the Department of Accounting and Finance. (Any subjects selected under this clause may be included in the 30 credit points required under 1.); and

3. the whole course for the diploma is to be approved by the Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance as providing a coherent course of study.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN BANKING AND FINANCE

This course is designed to meet the needs in the banking and finance sector for professional and career development. The program has been accredited by the Australian Institute of Banking and Finance (AIBF). The 24 credit point course is offered part time. It may also be offered as a block by flexible delivery, please check with the Department.

For admission to the Graduate Certificate candidates are required to have completed a degree from a recognised tertiary institution. In special circumstances, applicants, who do not have an undergraduate qualification but can clearly demonstrate several years of senior management experience in the banking industry, can apply to the Head of Department for consideration.

Program of Study