CQUniversity

Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 6 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Build foundational business and accounting knowledge through flexible online postgraduate study, preparing for further professional accounting study and a future career in accounting.

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting from CQUniversity is a postgraduate qualification designed for students seeking to develop foundational business and accounting knowledge as the first step towards a career in accounting. Delivered online over 0.5 years full-time or one year part-time, the course introduces key accounting and business concepts while aligning learning with the requirements of the major Australian professional accounting bodies.

You will study core areas including accounting in Australia, economics for managers, Australian commercial law and applied statistics. Through an industry-relevant curriculum, you will develop the business and accounting knowledge required to support further professional accounting study.

On successful completion, you will graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting. The qualification provides the first step towards a career in accounting and offers a pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, with credit granted for completed units.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
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Can be studied part time
6 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $4,000
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The estimated per-unit fee is calculated using the annual average first-year fee. It is based on a full-time study load of 24 credit points (four units) per semester or 48 credit points (eight units) per year.
Intake
9th November, 2026
Units
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You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.
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Fees
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FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting, you must successfully complete units totalling 24 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.

Core units

  • Accounting in Australia
  • Economics for Managers
  • Australian Commercial Law
  • Applied Statistics for Artificial Intelligence

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To gain entry to this course, students must have at least one of the following criteria:

  • A non-accounting undergraduate degree in any discipline from an Australian university or equivalent from an overseas institution.
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent accounting bachelor's degree from an overseas institution or organisation does not meet accreditation requirements with an Australian accounting registration body for associate membership purposes.
  • A minimum of five years of relevant accounting experience.
  • A minimum of ten years of relevant business experience.

Relevant business experience is considered to be any experience in conducting or administering a business enterprise.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting will help you make the first steps to a successful accounting career. To continue your studies towards qualifying as an accountant, you must enrol in the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will learn the following skills during the course:

  • Integrate theoretical and technical accounting knowledge, including finance, economics, quantitative methods, information systems and commercial law.
  • Use analytical skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise routine accounting problems.
  • Communicate effectively in a range of contexts with professionals and non-professionals.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $16,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 24 credit points (normally four units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of units studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.