Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2023 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2023. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Online	Yes
Duration	0.5 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Deakin course code	M512
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting is an Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) requirement for IPA Associates to become IPA Members. In this course you will choose four course elective units, including an ethics unit in keeping with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) move to bolster ethics training requirements. Depending on the entry pathway, the ethics unit meets both Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) and the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board (APESB) ethics requirements. The course offers a range of course electives to enable you to pursue your interests in accounting, tax law, and financial planning. It also offers a pathway into Deakin's Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

To complete the Graduate Certificate, you must complete one ethics course elective (either MAA769/MAI769 or MAA763*), and three additional course elective units from the range agreed by the IPA. Students are advised to choose course elective subjects that best suit their personal and professional development needs and provide the potential to contribute towards any relevant professional requirements (e.g. financial advisers).

_{* There is an option for IPA students to complete a summative assessment covering the three CPD modules and one annual refresher. Completion of this program through DeakinCo will provide full credit for MAA763.}

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Professional recognition

Completion of the appropriate selection of units within the Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting grants eligibility to higher professional membership levels as administered by the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

Career opportunities

Graduates of this course are typically already employed and seeking enhanced employment opportunities in areas of accounting such as financial accounting, taxation or financial adviser.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.

Articulated courses

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcome	Course Learning Outcome
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate conceptual knowledge on accounting and ethical theories and principles to public accounting practice and business decision models
Communication	Communicate the merits of alternate solutions to real-world business issues with reference to relevant accounting and ethical standards
Digital literacy	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award
Critical thinking	Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise information in the application of accounting frameworks for business decision making
Problem solving	Determine ways to resolve a firm’s financial constraints through appropriate match with the theoretical solutions
Self-management	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award
Teamwork	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award
Global citizenship	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting, students must attain a total of 4 credit points of course electives, from a list of specified units, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity Module.

Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

MAI010

Academic Integrity Module

Course elective units

Ethics course electives:

Complete 1 unit from:

MAI769/MAA769

Ethics for Financial Services ^{^*}

MAA763

Governance and Fraud

*Students requiring FAS accreditation must complete MAI769 or MAA769

Plus

Complete 3 units chosen from any of the following units listed below:

(Note: for ease of reference units are grouped into accounting, tax law and financial planning electives)

Accounting course electives:

MPA701

Accounting

MPF753

Principles of Finance

MAA789

Accounting Systems and Analytics

MAA703

Accounting for Management

MAA705

Corporate Auditing

MAA716

Financial Accounting

MAA725

Advanced Accounting Principles and Practice

Tax Law course electives:

MLC707

Business Law

MLC703

Principles of Income Tax Law

MLC709

Business Taxation Law and Policy

MLI714/MLC714

Financial Advice Regulation ^{^}

Financial Planning course electives:

MAA745

Financial Planning and Economic Fundamentals

MAA719

Superannuation and Retirement Planning

MAI728/MAA728

Financial Behaviour and Decision Making ^{^}

MAA727

Financial Planning Development

^MAI and MLI code denotes Intensive versions of the units.

Work experience

This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.

Other course information

Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work-integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. Refer to the relevant unit guide.

Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central