Graduate Certificate in Accounting

What you will study

To qualify for the award, a candidate must pass units to the value of 24 credit points (CP) including at least 18 CP at 400-level and not more than six CP at 500-level as approved by the course coordinator. Each unit is valued at six CP.

Core units

Complete the following:

• Management Accounting (AFM403)
• Introductory Accounting (AFM406)

Electives

Complete 12 CP from the following units, with not more than six CP at 500-level:

• Intermediate Financial Accounting (AFM410)
• Accounting Theory and Research (AFM501)
• Advanced Financial Accounting (AFM505)
• Auditing (AFM519)
• Corporate Finance (AFM531)
• Accounting Information Systems (AFM575)
• Economics for Management (ECON406)
• Taxation Law (LSSU592)
• Issues in Commercial and Financial Services Law (LSSU594)
• Quantitative Techniques for Management (QM461)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

This course is offered under two admission rules.

Rule A: You have completed ONE of the following qualifications (or their overseas equivalents):

• Bachelor's (AQF Level 7)
• Bachelor honours (AQF Level 8)
• Graduate certificate (AQF Level 8)
• Graduate diploma (AQF Level 8)
• Master's (AQF Level 9)
• Doctorate (AQF Level 10)

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under standard entry.

Rule B: You have a minimum of five years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant professional experience.

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under standard entry.

Relevant professional experience refers to a position of responsibility in any organizational or industry context.

English language requirements

You may be required to show how you satisfy the English language requirements for this course. Contact the university for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.

Individual Unit Advanced Standing

If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your Course Structure (Program of Study) within the last 10 years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.

The maximum amount of Advanced Standing which can be granted towards this course is 12 CP.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Careers you could consider include:

• Professional accountant
• Financial or budget analyst in a commercial enterprise
• Data analyst in a financial institution
• Entrepreneur or small business owner
• Agribusiness manager or consultant

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate specialised knowledge within the accounting discipline to undertake professional work in accounting, and demonstrate the ability to communicate that knowledge.
• Identify issues in accounting and finance, collect relevant data, critically evaluate a range of solutions to address complex problems and recommend the best course of action.
• Communicate effectively with both accounting and non-accounting professionals on complex accounting and finance issues.
• Make ethical decision on issues relevant to accounting and finance, and demonstrate clear knowledge of your responsibility and accountability for the decisions and those of others involved in its implementation.
• Integrate theoretical and technical accounting knowledge to demonstrate the ability to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within specialised accounting contexts.

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year fee in 2025: $14,948 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated first-year fee in 2025: $8,496 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

The costs will depend on the units you choose to study as the cost of individual units vary. “Estimated fees” are provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking a study load of 48 CP in the first year of this course. For courses that require less than 48 CP, the fees indicated are based on the total credit points required for completion of that course.

Student fees 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.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

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