University of Newcastle
Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Establish a foundation in professional accounting, exploring the core principles of financial reporting, management accounting and business decision-making.
Course overview
The University of Newcastle's Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting provides an introduction to the principles and practices of professional accounting for graduates with qualifications in disciplines other than accounting. The program establishes foundational knowledge across core accounting concepts, preparing students for further postgraduate study and the technical requirements of the accounting profession.
Throughout the course, students examine financial accounting, management accounting, business decision-making and business law, gaining an understanding of the principles that underpin financial reporting and organisational decision-making. The curriculum combines accounting theory with practical business knowledge, equipping students to interpret financial information and understand its role in contemporary organisations.
Delivered on campus, the Graduate Certificate provides a pathway to the University of Newcastle's Master of Professional Accounting, allowing students to continue progressing towards an accredited accounting qualification.
Key facts
Sydney
What you will study
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting requires students to complete 40 units, comprised of the following core courses:
- Financial Accounting 1
- Management Accounting
- Corporate Finance
- Economics
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Entry into the course will be available for applicants who have one of the following:
- Three-year bachelors degree.
- Three-year diploma in a related field.
- Three-year diploma not in a related field plus one year of relevant organisational experience.
- Two-year diploma in a related field plus two years of relevant oganisational experience.
- Two-year diploma not in a related field plus three years of relevant organisational experience.
- At least five years of organisational experience.
Related fields include accounting, business, commerce, communication, economics, finance, human resource management, industrial relations, management or marketing.
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate that they meet the university’s English proficiency requirement.
- IELTS Overall Minimum: 6.5
- IELTS Sub Test Minimum: 6
Contact the university for further information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Accounting skills are transferable across all industries and are required for sound financial decision-making. The insights you will gain by completing the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to seek employment in fields including:
- Financial and management
- Accounting
- Taxation
- Auditing
- Superannuation
- Investment
- Financial advising
Learning outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Communicate accounting information and effectively engage with both accountants and non-accountants.
- Work effectively autonomously to apply specialised knowledge and expert judgment to accounting tasks.
- Work effectively in teams to apply specialised knowledge and expert judgment to accounting tasks.
- Display professional proficiency in the utilisation of information and technology in accounting contexts.
- Engage in the critical application of accounting knowledge and skills to solve an accounting problem or case.
- Apply business skills that incorporate understanding of social, ethical, economic, regulatory and global perspectives.
- Demonstrate specialised theoretical and practical knowledge and skills relevant to accounting and be proficient in their application.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $16,308 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 units (normally four courses) per semester or year.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
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 program.